Victoria : Victoria Accommodation

• Melbourne Accommodation
• Great Ocean Road Accommodation
• Yarra Valley Accommodation
• Inland and other Coastal Accommodation

Melbourne

When I visit a city, I like to stay as close to the heart as possible. One reason is, I’m a walker. I don’t like public transport or taxis particularly so city accommodation that is a walk from the main sights and restaurants suits me. The Chifley off Little Bourke is an excellent base - right in Chinatown and a walk to city attractions and Southbank across the Yarra. There are normal rooms as well as one and two bedroom self-contained apartments, indoor swimming pool etc. The Hotel Causeway, on Collins street is another in the heart of the city appreciated by all for its warmth, privacy and ideal location. . Across the Yarra behind the Arts Centre and Southbank is Medina South Yarra with comfortable self-contained apartments and it is also handy to everything.

• Chifley off Little Bourke
• The Hotel Causeway
• Medina South Yarra

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is truly one of the worlds best coastal drives and it’s more than just the 12 Apostles. One well-priced unique accommodation option is the lighthouse cottages at Cape Otway. They are a little rustic, but what a great location! The cottages are self-contained, so you will need to pick up provisions in Apollo Bay and ring the managers to say you are half an hour away (they’ll meet you at the gates). For the rest of the GOR I’d opt for quality motel accommodation like Great Ocean Road Motor Inn at Port Campbell or for somewhere special, The Merrijig Inn at Port Fairy - Victoria’s oldest inn that has a heap of character and charm. Claerwen Retreat in Apollo Bay is also a great spot for a weekend getaway close to Melbourne.

• Cape Otway Lighthouse Cottages
• Great Ocean Road Motor Inn
• The Merrijig Inn
• Claerwen Retreat

Yarra Valley

There are many fine cottages, B & Bs and classy, boutique accommodation choices in the Valley - it’s only an hour from Melbourne so it’s great for a family weekend treat or a romantic break. Places like Yarra Valley Guest House at Yarra Glen, which is run by Ted Seacombe (master potter and skilled gardener) and his wife Ann Flockhart - Ted and Ann are extremely friendly hosts and they offer some fabulous weekend packages. Other delightful spots include Chateau Yering and the Forget-Me-Not Cottages in Warburton.

• Yarra Valley Guest House
• Chateau Yering
• Forget-Me-Not Cottages

Inland and other Coast

I’ll just mention Phillip Island - while it’s an easy day trip from Melbourne, it can be worth staying over as most visitors stick around to see the Little Penguins coming in at dusk - because of this, it’s wise to book a head. When I’m travelling I have three levels of criteria for accommodation. If travelling solo, I like good, old-fashioned country pubs - you may have shared bathroom facilities, but they are cheap, friendly and licensed. The Royal in Horsham is a good example. If staying in a particular place with the family for more than a couple of days, I like self-contained accommodation with a bit of space (separate bedrooms) and if travelling with the family looking for overnight accommodation, I like Best Western properties. These properties are locally owned, have individual style, are friendly and have amenities like swimming pool, TV, restaurant etc at a good price (many around $100 per room per night).

There are Best Western motels in and around Melbourne (7 of them), Phillip Island, Traralgon, Sale, Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Bright, Wodonga, Beechworth, Wangaratta, Benalla, Seymour, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Mildura, Horsham, Stawell, Halls Gap, Hamilton, Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Port Campbell, Apollo Bay, Lorne, Geelong and Ballarat.

I mention this one last because of Sovereign Hill. For families, this is one of the great days out but even though Melbourne is only a bit over an hour away, you might want to consider staying overnight (they have nightly attractions as well). There are 4 Best Western properties in Ballarat including the Bakery Hill Motel in an historic part of the CBD - it’s also opposite McDonalds and Pizza Hut. This is one McDonalds worth dropping into. No, the food is exactly the same as it is in gazillion other outlets, but this the décor has really retained the historical feel.

And a little further north, in the heart of Spa Country, you can really unwind at the Hepburn Spa Resort. In Lakes Entrance , Déjà vu is a lovely retreat.

• Royal Hotel Horsham
• Bakery Hill Motel
• Hepburn Spa Resort
• Déjà vu Lakes Entrance

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