01 Oct 2025
Words Natalie Babic & Louise Baxter Commercial Real Estate

5 retro-style motels for sale around Australia

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 by the expansion of budget hotel chains and, later, short-term rentals.

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 – a trend already underway 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.

Cattle City Motor Inn, Queensland 

Located just five minutes from Rockhampton city centre, the 33-room Cattle City Motor Inn is currently on the market.

Secured by a 27-year lease (five five-year options), the recently refreshed property sits on 2617 square metres and includes a licensed restaurant, bar and conference room. 

“The motel attracts strong corporate and commercial trade and records consistent occupancy,” says listing agency ResortBrokers.

Gladstone Palms Motor Inn, Queensland

With 36 rooms and sitting on a 5833 square metre parcel, Gladstone Palms Motor Inn is one of Gladstone’s largest motels.

Located just off Dawson Highway, it’s just five minutes from Gladstone city centre and within easy reach of the airport and golf club.

“The motel boasts a consistent occupancy rate of 78 per cent, supported by a stable base of repeat clientele and trade workers,” the listing says.

“With the current long-term owners exiting the industry, this presents a fantastic opportunity for new owners to revitalise the property. With minor cosmetic updates and tariff adjustments, there is significant potential for immediate improvements to the bottom line.” 

Whiteoaks Motel & Lodges, Toowoomba, Queensland

The Whiteoaks Motel & Lodges in Toowoomba has been family-owned for 50 years, and it is now on the market as a freehold going concern.

The motel features 32 keys, including 16 motel rooms from the 1960s and 16 apartment-style rooms from the 1980s.

The property sits on a 6962-square-metre land parcel and comes with an additional 4081 square metres of vacant land.

“Located near St Vincent’s Hospital and Toowoomba Grammar School, this asset is poised for visionary buyers seeking to capitalise on Toowoomba’s thriving accommodation market,” the listing says.

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 – within walking distance of 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 house with three bedrooms, an enclosed yard and security features.

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.

It also benefits from the current strong demand for accommodation “due to the robust resource and agricultural industries”. END