Australians can’t get enough of road trips, renos and mid-century design – and nothing blends them better than an old-school motel.
Following a golden period in the 1950s to 1980s, the humble motor inn was somewhat left in the dust, with the expansion of budget hotel chains and, later, short-term rentals.
However, cost-of-living challenges and a yearning for nostalgia could see a retro revival of the affordable, convenient and family-friendly motel stay – a trend already tracking on the Gold Coast.
Whether taking on a fixer-upper to create a “destination” or customising a well-placed property with a loyal customer base, opportunities are available around the country.
Here are five retro-style motels and motor inns currently on the market.
Portland Retro Motel, Victoria
Positioned in the historic coastal town of Portland in south-west Victoria, this 14-room motel is for sale as a secure freehold investment, allowing the new owner to “benefit from long-term capital growth”.
The well-maintained, retro-style accommodation is popular with returning guests, and the location – walking distance from the beach – is ideal for attracting tourists, business travellers and event-goers.
According to the property listing, “this thriving accommodation business offers a solid income stream, a loyal customer base, and strong growth potential in a popular regional tourism destination”.
The offering includes a private on-site manager’s residence, comprising a three-bedroom home with an enclosed yard and security features.
Barcaldine Country Motor Inn, Queensland
Used as a base to explore central-west Queensland, Barcaldine is a heritage town with an interesting history, and this motel is in a convenient, high-traffic location.
It’s a freehold going concern spanning seven lots and featuring 33 rooms, 12 cabins, and eight caravan sites, all recently refurbished.
“With an 80 per cent occupancy rate and top-notch facilities, including a restaurant, pool, and Tesla charging stations, this asset promises strong returns,” the listing reads.
“Ideal for experienced operators or astute buyers.”
The property also includes a three-bedroom manager’s unit above the reception area.
Taree Highway Motor Inn, NSW
Extensively renovated, this 23-room motor inn is well-presented and maintained, comprising 17 ground-floor motel rooms and six two-room suites.
The motel backs onto the Manning River and is conveniently located, just a kilometre north of the town centre, within walking distance of restaurants, the cinema and sporting fields.
For sale as a freehold going concern, it offers “excellent quality rooms at affordable prices, backed-up with outstanding customer service,” according to the property listing.
“There are many revenue streams to explore with the continued growth of the entire Mid North Coast region and ongoing investment in infrastructure initiatives.”
A&A Lodge Motel, Queensland
A truly high-traffic motor inn, the A&A Lodge Motel is on the Gregory Highway in Emerald, Queensland, and is passed by hundreds of cars daily.
This is a well-established motel offering 14 rooms, a manager’s residence, a reception area and covered parking, on 1001 square metres of freehold land.
On the market as a freehold and business sale, this property offers “a stable income stream … and permits plenty of growth and success to the incoming purchaser”, the listing says.
It also benefits from current strong demand for accommodation “due to the robust resource and agricultural industries”.
The Billabong, Western Australia
Set in Meadow – a small location near the World Heritage Area of Shark Bay – The Billabong is a significant motel, hotel and fuel stop in the expanse of WA’s rural north.
With 4000 square metres of floor space on a 3.1-hectare site, the property includes motel accommodation, a fully licensed hotel and fuel facilities, as well as a caravan park with full amenities.
The Billabong is about to expand its facilities with a dual station for fast charging of electric cars, according to the listing, and all of the underground infrastructure is in place to accommodate more motel units.
This popular pitstop is considered “the best facility on this 600-kilometre stretch of the North West Coastal Highway”.