Our best motels

Roadside motels used to be the busiest accommodation places in towns all over Australia. Then cheap airfares to exotic places further afield in Australia and overseas took a whole generation past the road trip experience, and the convenience of parking your car outside your room. With faster cars on new highways with town bypasses, motels soon became the endangered species of accommodation options.

However there’s a worldwide phenomenon where ‘boutique motels’ are reviving these low-rise throwbacks to the mid-century road trip. Motels are back. Older travellers are drawn to the nostalgia of them, while younger guests love their colourful mid-century modern vibe.

They were never built to be fancy, they were specifically functional and family-friendly. They provided simple rooms with ensuite bathroom… a revelation to Aussie travellers used to cramped bedrooms above noisy pubs with shared bathrooms down the hall. Innovative facilities included in-room telephones and televisions. Even the iconic bar fridge was designed for these motel rooms.

More recent additions to the mid-century vibe included swimming pools and dining rooms and exuberant colour that evoke warm feelings of nostalgia from the latest generation of guests.

But beyond the nostalgia, the importance of these motels is that they’re locally owned and more closely tied to their community than any corporate chain hotel. With a boutique motel, you can feel that the owners put a lot more love into it.

Johnny Rose from Schitt’s Creek reckons these older style motels offer a window onto the unique charm of small town life. With our region’s abundant country charm and hospitality, we couldn’t agree more.

Here’s where to find some of our best motels, and motel-style accommodation, across the Barrington Coast.

Maybe you’ll find an Australian version of the Rosebud Motel from Schitt's Creek.

Blueys Motel, Blueys Beach

Stylishly appointed rooms, poolside courtyard with spa, lush gardens, great cafes just across the road, great service and a moment’s walk to stunning beaches. This place feels a little Byron Bay-ish but so much better without the paparazzi to disturb your poolside nap. No matter their age, location or style, all motels should be this good.

Boogie Woogie Beach House, Old Bar

Utterly unique, this music-themed motel sits above Flow Bar that’s renowned for live music and coastal cuisine. The rooms each honour a different rock star… do you fancy a shower with David Bowie or a bath with Blondie? Select a few vintage vinyl records to play in your room, and if you have a rock star hangover then breakfast at the cafe is epic and restorative.

South Pacific Palms Motel, Tuncurry

Ok, this may just be our nomination for our own upmarket version of the Rosebud Hotel!

The newly renovated poolside suites are a perfect blend of coastal charm and modern elegance but if you’re craving motel nostalgia then the vintage appeal of the original suites will surely remind you of family holidays past. A short stroll to everything means you can leave the car parked for your entire holiday, with your only decisions: poolside, lakeside, beach or which café?

The Great Escape Lofts, Gloucester

This is what some motels want to be when they grow up: stylish, fully equipped, multi-starred and luxurious. Guests love this place for the contemporary comforts in apartment style: loft bedroom, king spa bath, fully equipped kitchen, alfresco dining area and saltwater pool with views of the Buccan Buccans. Yes, you could happily live here!

Finns, Old Bar

Depending on your group size, this unique property blurs the lines between gorgeous motel, boutique hotel and expansive holiday home. Book a suite, the apartment or the whole house and enjoy a true coastal luxe experience. The heated mineral swimming pool, hammocks, hanging chairs, designer ensuites filled with luxe amenity packs, the faultless service… you’ll know you’ve arrived in motel heaven.

Bella Villa Motor Inn, Forster

This classic motel style is familiar across Australia with its mini mansard roofline adding a Mediterranean vibe to the vintage resort feel and elevating ‘motel’ into ‘motor inn’. Very well located, you can park your car here all week and walk to everything you need for your Forster stay. You’ll love the poolside area if you’re giving the beach a break and the new owners are busy refreshing the whole place, with the rooms looking stylish and contemporary.

Bucketts Way Motel, Gloucester

A classic 20th century motel, when they were purpose-built for busy country towns: two storeys, family rooms, big swimming pool and a large dining room with an interesting mural covering a whole wall honouring local agricultural industries. Guests love the handy location: a short stroll to the main street cafes, shops and pubs, and the pretty town park just across the road.

Bulahdelah Motor Lodge, Bulahdelah

If there’s a winning formula for motel stays for highway travellers then this place has found it: classic motel style with exposed brickwork and décor to match, with a popular licensed restaurant, comfy beds, great food and great service all round. A hidden gem worth seeking out.

Club Old Bar Motel, Old Bar

A new motel, architect designed and offering a 21st century experience, with the suites being as elegant as any big city hotel. The big bonus here is access to the award-winning Club next door as a temporary member, so you get discounted drinks and meals and access to weekly Club member activities.

Golf Club Motor Inn, Wingham

Purpose-built for the booming trade in golf holidays, this upmarket property demonstrates how contemporary motels have morphed into motor inns with enviable facilities: deluxe rooms with fairway views. Golf is the big drawcard in this pretty part of the Manning Valley and your comfy stay here will (hopefully) see you score your best-ever round: birdie, eagle or even albatross?

Gloucester Country Lodge Motel, Gloucester

Located next to Gloucester Golf Club, the rooms here are large, comfortable and contemporary, enjoying beautiful views of the Buccan Buccans and fairways. Located at the southern gateway to Gloucester and surrounded by lush paddocks, there’s a definite rural resort-style feel here, with plenty of parking and a large central swimming pool.

Harrington Village Motel, Harrington

Seaside motels always go a little bit further with their facilities because they get holidaymakers who stay a little longer. Here the rooms are spacious with a beach vibe, there’s a pool in the garden with barbecue and the staff are friendly. This is a classic holiday motel in a great location near shops, cafes, clubs and the scenic Harrington breakwall.

Hawks Nest Motel, Hawks Nest

This is another motel with resort-style facilities loved equally by travellers and holidaymakers. It’s quiet yet close enough to all Hawks Nest attractions, with a fabulous pool area in well-kept grounds, some rooms have a spa and all rooms have a small balcony with pool views or river views.

Midlands Motel, Taree

Taree is a busy regional town but this motel is quiet and comfortable, with well-appointed rooms in holiday colours but with ample workspace and fast internet access for business travellers too. The river view rooms offer postcard views of the Manning River and the fabulous Boathouse Café is just across the road for breakfast and lunch Tuesday to Saturday.

Tea Gardens Motel, Tea Gardens

Resort style without the resort costs. Enjoy the facilities of the stylish king and queen spa suites, bushland views, saltwater swimming pool, barbecue and picnic area, and two person spa baths. Plus you can enjoy a bistro meal next door at the Tea Gardens Country Club.

Tuncurry Beach Motel, Tuncurry

What’s to like here? Everything: the comfy rooms with happy holiday décor, the central pool, plenty of parking, walk to the beach and shops, walk to the bowling club for a beverage or a meal. And the red roof, arches and palm trees give the place a certain sunny southern California vibe… but you can keep LA thanks, I’ll take Tuncurry instead!