Traditional motels are a staple in much of Australia and are the backbone of many a road trip. But in the Flinders, they are few and far between for some reason.
It probably has something to do with the smaller towns and the plethora of other accommodation options that seem to be more popular.
Anyhow, with the above in mind, here’s a very short list of decent Flinders Ranges motels if you’re a sucker for that sort of accommodation!
Flinders Ranges Motel
The Flinders Ranges Motel – also known as The Mill – is located on the thoroughfare in Quorn.
The historic building was constructed in 1879 for John Dunn – a miller who wanted to take advantage of a period of bumper wheat crops in the late 1870s.
On offer at this Flinders Ranges motel are 12 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms. Each room comes with an ensuite, television, fridge, aircon and facilities to make coffee and tea.
Room options include:
- Twin rooms that sleep up to 3 persons.
- Queen rooms that sleep up to 2 persons, and
- Family rooms that sleep a maximum of 5.
And here’s what guests love about the place:
- Spacious, spotless and comfortable rooms with warm and cosy beds. Note that many of the rooms have been renovated.
- Superb location in Quorn that is near the railway station, coffee shops and the gin distillery which is more or less next door.
- Small kitchenette with a microwave, toaster and crockery.
- Hot showers with good pressure, and
- Friendly owners (including motel manager Tab the cat).
Hawker Hotel Motel
The Hawker Hotel Motel is a classic motel set up where you can park your car at the front door of the unit. Note that the motel is attached to the Hawker which has been feeding locals and tourists alike for over 130 years.
All up there are 20 rooms available with numerous configurations of single and double beds. Some also come with a divan, which for the uninitiated is a sofa or couch that can be slept on. I think?
Each offers an ensuite, AC with heating, toaster, microwave and the obligatory tea and coffee stuff. A continental breakfast can also be purchased for $12.50 per person (order during check-in).
The Hawker Hotel Motel is a no-frills option that represents terrific value for money. Arguably the biggest selling point of this place, however, is the attached pub where friendly service, a decent schnitty and cold beer await.
In the morning, you could also walk down to the Flinders Food Co. for a delicious breakfast and coffee.
Key details
Rooms are available for $120 per night twin share.
Additional persons $30 per night. Book here.
Wilpena Pound Resort
Wilpena Pound Resort is the only place that offers motel accommodation within the national park.
The resort itself does not refer to this accommodation as motel rooms, but it is important to be aware that this is what they are. You will find them lined up along Wilpena Creek on either side of the grassed area with the giant eucalypt.
In any case, there are two room options here:
- “Aroona” standard double room – with air conditioning, tea and coffee maker, ensuite, walk-in shower, TV, hair dryer, towels and a small table and chairs. Aroona rooms offer 1 large double bed and 1 single bed with an optional trundle to sleep up to 4.
- “Brachina” standard double room – Brachina rooms offer basically the same features. However, these are perfect for couples as there is only 1 large double bed. There are also a couple of couches in a small sitting area.
Other rooms such as the “Heysen” and “Edeowie” feature kitchenettes and outdoor seating areas (for example) and can also sleep more guests, but their price and configuration make them more like hotel rooms than motel rooms.
Prices are steep for the Aroona and Brachina rooms too and tend to run $300 to $400 per night depending on the season and time of the week.
Whether these rooms are overpriced is obviously subjective and depends on what value you place on location (which is superb) and distance to walking trails, the IGA, the swimming pool and the attached restaurant. The included breakfast is also pretty good.
Melrose Holiday Units
Melrose Holidays Units is a great option for travellers in the Southern Flinders Ranges. This place has the appearance of a motel from the outside, with blocks of rooms arranged around the parking area with great views of Mount Remarkable.
However, inside, each of the rooms is fully self-contained and thus far better equipped than a standard motel room. This means they offer:
- Lounge and kitchen.
- Two bedrooms (one with a double, the other with two singles).
- Reverse cycle aircon.
- All crockery, cutlery, utensils and linen.
- Bathroom, and
- TV.
Separate laundry, barbecue and firepit facilities are also available. And the establishment is close enough to Melrose to be within walking distance to the main attractions (but not so close that noise is an issue).
Melrose Holiday Units makes this list of motel accommodation in the Flinders Ranges because it offers motel prices. The website states that the price for a unit is $120 per night twin share with extra persons $15 per night.
While I suspect these prices may be outdated a little, Melrose Holiday Units still represents great value for money.
Have I missed any great motels on this list?
Please let me know in the comments!
