5 retro-style motels for sale around Australia

However, cost-of-living challenges and a yearning for nostalgia could lead to a retro revival of the affordable, convenient and family-friendly motel stay.

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.

The Classic Motel, Queensland

This motel is as its name suggests – oozing with classic retro vibes – perched on a prominent corner block with dual frontage along the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, about five kilometres south of Surfers Paradise.

Set on an 817-square-metre parcel only moments from prestigious “Millionaires’ Row”, it offers eight self-contained units, a manager’s residence, a pool and leasehold holding income, with repositioning potential just 300 metres from the beach and near future light rail.

The site, just 20 minutes from Gold Coast Airport, is “ideal for boutique mixed-use redevelopment, townhouse project, or future repositioning,” the listing says.

Hi-Way 8 Motel, Victoria

This well-maintained 17-unit retro brick motel in Stawell, in western Victoria on the doorstep of the famous Grampians, offers a side serve of healthy visitor numbers.

Recently refurbished with new carpets, cabinetry, soft furnishing and beds, the motel also features major Western Highway frontage, a large three-bedroom manager’s home, office, a solar heated pool, a pool room, a shaded BBQ hub, and a communal breakfast room.

The site stretches across 3888 square metres, offering potential to expand to more than 20 rooms (STCA).

“This motel has strong consistent weekday trade from trades and corporates along with tourists to fill the weekends, with so many local attractions this motel caters for everyone making it a great investment,” the listing says.

Gin Gin Motel, Queensland

Set on a massive 7220 square metre site in the town of Gin Gin, this 12-unit motel offers maximum exposure to passing cars along Bruce Highway, about 50 kilometres west of Bundaberg, Queensland.

With strong development potential for retail, fast food or mixed-use outcomes, the motel includes a three-bedroom manager’s residence, and immediate holding income as you ponder a future redevelopment.

“With growing demand in the Gin Gin region and limited commercial development stock, this is a rare opportunity to establish a prominent footprint in a high growth corridor,” the listing says.

Golden Harvest Motel, New South Wales

This established 27-room leasehold motel in Moree, in northern NSW – around 600 kilometres north of Sydney – offers consistent earnings, government-backed bookings and quality guest amenities, including a saltwater pool, BBQ area, and undercover parking.

Supported by a secure 21-year lease and major infrastructure investment in the region, including inland rail, a special activation precinct, a new hospital, and highway upgrades, the motel also offers a three-bedroom home adjoining reception for operator comfort and convenience.

“NSW Trains and other government relationships guarantee nightly bookings year-round,” the listing says.

A&A Lodge Motel, Queensland

A truly high-traffic motor inn, the A&A Lodge Motel sits 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.