The Best 50 Motels in Australia · Summer 2026

Have your say

One list. Fifty motels. Argued about at every barbecue in the country. Tell us which one belongs on it — then vote for the one that deserves the People's Choice crown.

Nominations open Closing 14 November · 62 days left

Name the one that should be on the list.

Anyone can nominate — a guest, an operator, a local who drives past the neon every day. Every nomination is read, checked against the eligibility gates and, if it clears, built into a dossier for the judging panel.








    I own or operate this motel

    Free to enter. Retro Motels membership is not a criterion for inclusion and carries no advantage at any stage.

    The People's Choice, decided by you.

    The panel picks the 50. You pick this one. Vote for any motel on the shortlist — one vote per verified email, and you can change your mind right up until entries close.

    100
    Motels on the shortlist
    Verify to vote One vote per email keeps the People's Choice worth winning. Pop your address in and the vote buttons unlock.



      Casita Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Casita

      Batehaven, NSW · from $265
      1980s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Albury Manor House Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Albury Manor House

      Albury, NSW · from $145
      1970s Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Atherton Hinterland Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Atherton Hinterland Motel

      Atherton, QLD · from $155
      1970s Original Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Australian Hotel Yass Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Australian Hotel Yass

      Yass, NSW · from $125
      Heritage Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Barrier Reef Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Barrier Reef Motel

      Innisfail, QLD · from $145
      1960s Original Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Bayview Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Bayview Motel

      Esperance, WA · from $165
      1960s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Bicheno By The Bay Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Bicheno By The Bay

      Bicheno, TAS · from $165
      1970s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Brassey Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Brassey Hotel

      Barton, ACT · from $195
      Heritage Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Bright Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Bright Motor Inn

      Bright, VIC · from $130
      1970s Alpine Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Bunbury Apartment Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Bunbury Apartment Motel

      Bunbury, WA · from $110
      1970s Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      CBD Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      CBD Motor Inn

      Coffs Harbour, NSW · from $145
      1960s Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Cooinda Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Cooinda Lodge

      Jabiru, NT · from $220
      1970s Outback Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Country Plaza Halls Gap Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Country Plaza Halls Gap

      Halls Gap, VIC · from $145
      1970s Alpine Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Desert Gardens Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Desert Gardens

      Yulara, NT · from $360
      1980s Original Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Drift House Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Drift House

      Port Fairy, VIC · from $425
      Beachfront Heritage Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Ettalong Beach Resort Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Ettalong Beach Resort

      Ettalong Beach, NSW · from $175
      1970s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Forster Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Forster Motor Inn

      Forster, NSW · from $150
      1970s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hahndorf Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hahndorf Motor Lodge

      Hahndorf, SA · from $195
      1960s Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Halcyon House Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Halcyon House

      Cabarita Beach, NSW · from $485
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Halse Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Halse Lodge

      Noosa Heads, QLD · from $245
      Heritage Restored Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hara House Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hara House

      Bright, VIC · from $320
      1980s Alpine Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hawks Nest Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hawks Nest Motel

      Hawks Nest, NSW · from $175
      1970s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Heavitree Gap Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Heavitree Gap

      Alice Springs, NT · from $165
      1970s Original Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hibiscus Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hibiscus Motel

      Byron Bay, NSW · from $295
      1980s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hospitality Geraldton Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hospitality Geraldton

      Geraldton, WA · from $125
      1970s Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Hotel Kurrajong Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Hotel Kurrajong

      Barton, ACT · from $235
      Heritage Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      HotelMOTEL Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      HotelMOTEL

      Adelaide, SA · from $215
      1950s Highway Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Imperial Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Imperial Hotel

      Eumundi, QLD · from $235
      Heritage Original Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Kookaburra Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Kookaburra Motor Lodge

      Halls Gap, VIC · from $135
      1970s Alpine Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Kurrimine Beach Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Kurrimine Beach Motel

      Kurrimine Beach, QLD · from $115
      1970s Beachfront Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Kyneton Springs Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Kyneton Springs

      Kyneton, VIC · from $220
      1970s Neon Pool & palms
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      MACq 01 Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      MACq 01

      Hobart, TAS · from $245
      1950s Heritage Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Mantra Lorne Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Mantra Lorne

      Lorne, VIC · from $215
      Beachfront Heritage Pool & palms
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Margaret River Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Margaret River Motel

      Margaret River, WA · from $145
      1970s Heritage Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Motel Molly Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Motel Molly

      Mollymook, NSW · from $295
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Motel Strahan Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Motel Strahan

      Strahan, TAS · from $175
      Heritage Original Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Pacific Hotel Yamba Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Pacific Hotel Yamba

      Yamba, NSW · from $165
      Beachfront Heritage Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Pacific Bay Resort Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Pacific Bay Resort

      Coffs Harbour, NSW · from $215
      1980s Beachfront Pool & palms
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Parklane Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Parklane Motel

      Launceston, TAS · from $145
      1970s Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Pavilion Hotel Wagga Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Pavilion Hotel Wagga

      Wagga Wagga, NSW · from $175
      1960s Highway Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      River Drive Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      River Drive Motel

      Tarwin Lower, VIC · from $175
      1970s Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Royal Mail Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Royal Mail Hotel

      Dunkeld, VIC · from $380
      Alpine Heritage Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Sails in the Desert Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Sails in the Desert

      Yulara, NT · from $480
      1980s Original Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Sandridge Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Sandridge Motel

      Lorne, VIC · from $195
      1970s Beachfront Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Sorrento Beach Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Sorrento Beach Motel

      Sorrento, VIC · from $235
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Standpipe Golf Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Standpipe Golf Motor Inn

      Port Augusta, SA · from $110
      Heritage Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Sundowner Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Sundowner Motel

      Whyalla, SA · from $145
      1970s Highway Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Tessa's on the Beach Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Tessa's on the Beach

      Bilinga, QLD · from $295
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Clairfield Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Clairfield

      Mudgee, NSW · from $285
      1980s Highway Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Isla Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Isla

      Batehaven, NSW · from $245
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Oriana Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Oriana

      Orange, NSW · from $195
      1960s Pool & palms Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Agnes Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Agnes Courts

      Agnes Water, QLD · from $243
      1950s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Airlie Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Airlie Motor Lodge

      Airlie Beach, QLD · from $226
      1970s Pool & palms Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Alice Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Alice Courts

      Alice Springs, NT · from $238
      1970s Neon Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Anchorage Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Anchorage Hotel

      Port Stephens, NSW · from $295
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Apollo Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Apollo Motor Lodge

      Apollo Bay, VIC · from $281
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Augusta Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Augusta Motel

      Augusta, WA · from $370
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Ballina Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Ballina Lodge

      Ballina, NSW · from $179
      1950s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Barwon Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Barwon Motor Inn

      Barwon Heads, VIC · from $332
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Bermagui Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Bermagui Courts

      Bermagui, NSW · from $213
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Berry View Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Berry View

      Berry, NSW · from $240
      1950s Pool & palms Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Bicheno Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Bicheno Motor Inn

      Bicheno, TAS · from $187
      1950s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Bright Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Bright Lodge

      Bright, VIC · from $349
      1960s Alpine Heritage
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Broken Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Broken Motel

      Broken Hill, NSW · from $230
      1970s Neon Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Broome Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Broome Lodge

      Broome, WA · from $319
      1950s Pool & palms Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Coffs Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Coffs Motor Inn

      Coffs Harbour, NSW · from $362
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Coral Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Coral Motor Lodge

      Coral Bay, WA · from $336
      1960s Pool & palms Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Denmark Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Denmark Motor Inn

      Denmark, WA · from $302
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Esperance Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Esperance Courts

      Esperance, WA · from $268
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Forster Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Forster Motor Lodge

      Forster, NSW · from $196
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Goolwa Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Goolwa Lodge

      Goolwa, SA · from $234
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Halls Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Halls Motor Lodge

      Halls Gap, VIC · from $366
      1970s Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Henry Jones Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Henry Jones

      Hobart, TAS · from $285
      Heritage Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Inverloch Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Inverloch Motel

      Inverloch, VIC · from $315
      1950s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Kalbarri Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Kalbarri Courts

      Kalbarri, WA · from $353
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Kiama Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Kiama Courts

      Kiama, NSW · from $328
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Kingscote Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Kingscote Motor Lodge

      Kingscote, SA · from $251
      1950s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Lorne Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Lorne Motor Inn

      Lorne, VIC · from $247
      1950s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Lucky Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Lucky Hotel

      Newcastle, NSW · from $195
      Heritage Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Mallacoota Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Mallacoota Courts

      Mallacoota, VIC · from $183
      1950s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Margaret Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Margaret Motel

      Margaret River, WA · from $285
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Merimbula Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Merimbula Motor Lodge

      Merimbula, NSW · from $311
      1950s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Mysa Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Mysa Motel

      Palm Beach, QLD · from $280
      1960s Pool & palms Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Noosa Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Noosa Motor Inn

      Noosa Heads, QLD · from $192
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Pink Hotel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Pink Hotel

      Coolangatta, QLD · from $320
      1960s Beachfront Neon
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Port Courts Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Port Courts

      Port Fairy, VIC · from $298
      1970s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Port Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Port Motel

      Port Douglas, QLD · from $175
      1950s Pool & palms Tropical
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Port Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Port Motor Inn

      Port Macquarie, NSW · from $277
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Rainbow Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Rainbow Lodge

      Rainbow Beach, QLD · from $209
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Robe Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Robe Motel

      Robe, SA · from $200
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The St Motor Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The St Motor Lodge

      St Helens, TAS · from $221
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Stanthorpe Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Stanthorpe Motel

      Stanthorpe, QLD · from $260
      1960s Highway Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Strahan Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Strahan Lodge

      Strahan, TAS · from $204
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Terrigal Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Terrigal Motel

      Terrigal, NSW · from $345
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Torquay Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Torquay Lodge

      Torquay, VIC · from $264
      1960s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Victor Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Victor Motor Inn

      Victor Harbor, SA · from $217
      1960s Beachfront Restored
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      The Yamba Lodge Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      The Yamba Lodge

      Yamba, NSW · from $294
      1970s Beachfront Surf
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Village Family Motor Inn Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Village Family Motor Inn

      Launceston, TAS · from $165
      1970s Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Wagon Wheel Motel Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Wagon Wheel Motel

      Coonabarabran, NSW · from $130
      1970s Original Outback
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      Wrest Point Shortlisted ★ Your vote

      Wrest Point

      Hobart, TAS · from $245
      1970s Neon Original
      Share of the vote 0.0%
      How the People's Choice works. Votes are counted across the shortlist and reported separately from the ranking — the public vote takes its own award and never moves the order of the 50. One vote per verified email. Retro Motels members are on the shortlist on merit alone; membership is not a criterion for inclusion and carries no advantage.
      Running totals are shown as a share of the vote, not as raw numbers, until the result is announced.
      Read the criteria