The Monty in Anglesea proves a motel can still feel like a proper destination.
After a couple of days of cliffs, koalas and glass-walled pods deep in the Otways, rolling into Anglesea and checking into The Monty felt like a change of gear. This isn’t a motel in the beige-carpet, ice-machine-in-the-corridor sense of the word – it’s a full retro reinvention, and it was exactly the kind of stylish stay I needed.
Where is The Monty?
Check in to Anglesea’s coolest new motel.
The Monty sits right on the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, directly opposite the riverside boardwalk, with the Anglesea River on one side and an easy stroll to Main Beach, local shops and cafes on the other. The location does a lot of the work for you – you can walk to the water, wander into town for dinner, or just stay put by the pool, and you’re still perfectly placed to keep pushing on toward Torquay or back the other way toward the Otways.
What is the style and character of The Monty?
There’s a real warmth to the design at The Monty.
This is a Palm Springs-inspired boutique motel, and it commits to the bit completely. Think desert-toned palettes and playful, colourful artwork against a backdrop of vintage-meets-modern design – built for people who want their accommodation to have a bit of personality rather than just being a place to crash. It’s nostalgic without feeling over the top; there’s a real warmth to the design that makes you want to actually spend time there, not just sleep and go.
What facilities does The Monty have?
Enjoy the outdoor pool and short stroll to the beach.
The centrepiece is the outdoor pool, styled with breeze blocks and desert-inspired plants, which is exactly where you want to be on a warm Great Ocean Road afternoon. Beyond that, there’s an outdoor lounge area, EV chargers, onsite parking, and daily housekeeping. The rooms come with Smart TVs and Chromecast, complimentary wi-fi, and there’s breakfast available if you’d rather not head out first thing. It’s a compact property (16 rooms in total), so it never feels like you’re competing for space at the pool or anywhere else.
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AI Prompt
What are the rooms like at The Monty?
The skylight in the bathroom makes all the difference.
The vintage design makes you feel at home.
Rooms come in King or Twin configurations, all individually styled with that same vintage-meets-modern sensibility – think a copy of Australian Traveller magazine, curated artwork (commissioned locally from That Paper Joint in Brunswick), blackout drapes, minibars and espresso makers. Ours felt fresh and considered rather than cookie-cutter, with details that make you actually want to photograph your room instead of just dumping your bags and leaving.
What is the dining like at The Monty?
Nina is a coastal Californian-Mexican cantina.
Margaritas are served at Nina.
Nina is made for sharing.
The Monty’s onsite dining comes via Nina, a coastal Californian-Mexican cantina serving up an all-day menu of shareable dishes, seafood and house-made queso fresco (and it’s entirely gluten free, which is a nice touch if that’s a consideration for your group). We had dinner there, and it hit exactly the right note after a long day on the road – casual, flavourful and made better by the setting.
Does The Monty have access for guests with disabilities?
The Monty has accessible rooms.
The accessible bathroom.
Yes – accessibility has been a clear consideration in the renovation rather than a box-ticking exercise. The Monty offers dedicated DDA-compliant King rooms with adaptive features and roll-in showers, designed with the same care and style as the rest of the property. It’s worth reaching out directly if you have specific requirements, but the accessible rooms here are a proper, thoughtfully designed option rather than a single afterthought room tacked on the end of a corridor.
Is The Monty family-friendly?
Families are welcome at The Monty.
It can work well for families, particularly with the outdoor pool as an easy drawcard for kids, and the walkable location near the beach and boardwalk. That said, the overall feel leans slightly more toward couples and friends after a stylish, relaxed night away – it’s compact so it suits smaller groups best. Families are welcome, but if you’re after a big resort-style family setup, this one’s more boutique than that.
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The verdict
The Monty is proof that a motel stay doesn’t have to mean settling. It’s stylish without trying too hard, well positioned for exploring Anglesea and the surrounding coast, and the combination of that pool, the riverside cantina and considered rooms makes it a proper stop on the Great Ocean Road itinerary rather than just a place to sleep between destinations.
Details
The Monty is stylish without trying too hard.
Best for: Couples, friends or small groups after a stylish, laid-back stay right on the Great Ocean Road, with easy access to the beach and river.
Address: 109 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, Vic
Phone: (03) 5263 1472
Cost: From around $150 per night depending on room type and season.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
More than just a stopover, Albury Wodonga is an elevated city escape immersed in nature.
Perhaps best known as a road trip stop between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene that make it well worth its own journey.
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray River and surrounded by famed wine and gold rush regions, this riverside town packs a broad punch. Discover how best to spend your days on the border.
Exploring the Murray River
1. The Crossing Place Trail
Admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists.
Head to the original crossing places of the Murray River since 1848 – at the junctions of Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. Today, these crossings are still used by cars and cattle, but the five-kilometre Crossing Place Trail loop connects the two bridges for bike riders and walkers.
Wander through gum trees, and maybe even spot local platypus and birdlife. Stop along the way to admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists, see evidence of a scar tree and learn about the importance of this billabong environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2. Canoe The Murray
Hire canoes or kayaks and get out on the river.
What better way to get a feel for the Murray River than by getting out on its waters? Hire canoes or kayaks from Canoe the Murray, then explore solo or join one of the offered tours. Get up early for a Sunrise and coffee tour, watch the sun dip below the water on a sunset tour or choose one of several daytime trips.
Stand-up paddleboard hire and other water sports, fishing and swimming are also available to river explorers.
3. Noreuil Park Foreshore
Cool off at Noreuil Park Foreshore. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Just outside Albury’s CBD, the riverside Noreuil Park becomes a hub of activity as the weather heats up. Set up on picnic tables under shady trees, use the public barbecues (or pop into the nearby cafe) and cool off with a float down the river.
4. Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works
Spend time at Mungabareena Reserve. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Delve into nature and culture at the beautiful Mungabareena Reserve. Recognised by state law as a ‘Declared Aboriginal Place’, it was once a historical meeting point for trade and journeys to Mount Bogong for the local Wiradjuri people and still holds deep significance.
It’s another popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics, while the nearby Water Works area is a great place for spotting wildlife. Try your luck seeing platypuses, wood ducks or rainbow bee-eaters.
Adventuring on Lake Hume
1. Walk the dam wall
Enjoy the view from the dam wall. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)
The majestic Lake Hume – a massive man-made reservoir on the Murray River – was once the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere.
A great way to get acquainted is by walking along the dam wall, taking in views of outflows, electricity turbines and the transmission plant from above. Not to mention vistas of the lake and the Murray. It’s a particularly gorgeous spot for sunsets and sunrises.
A wide sealed walkway gives easy access to the wall, and informative signs and displays along the way educate on the dam’s construction.
2. The High Country Rail Trail
This 44-kilometre trail hugs the shoreline. Stop along the way at the historic town of Tallangatta, relocated to its current position in the 1950s after its original location was flooded. Cross the lake over the bright red Sandy Creek Bridge. Enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a swim at Ebden, Ludlow’s or Huon Reserve.
3. Water sports
Dive into water sports on Lake Hume.
Lake Hume is a popular local spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. Drop a line or dive right into the clear waters.
Sip and Savour
1. Dux Albury
Sit down to delicious meals and wine at Dux.
Those looking for a high-end dining experience need to book a table at Dux Albury in the heart of Albury Wodonga. Sit down for curated wine lists, cocktails and share plates. Think starters like burrata with beetroot, chervil, caper berry and sherry, mains like Wagyu sirloin with Café De Paris, red wine and caramelised onions and all manner of fresh seafood.
2. Murray Towns Brewing Co.
Recharge at Murray Brewing Co.
Perched on the banks of the river, Murray Towns Brewing Co. has come a long way since two mates started experimenting in their backyard chook shed. With all beer brewed onsite and a sun-drenched beer garden to drink them in, it’s a perfect stop along a bike ride or walk.
3. Temperance and General
Step into Albury’s original laneway bar, Temperance and General. Set inside a historic building, but offering a modern vibe, the bar is locally famous for its cocktail list. Stop in before or after dinner for a creative tipple.
4. BeanStation Cafe
Dine on a modern Australian menu.
Dine on a modern Australian menu, inside the historic Wodonga train station building, dating back to 1873. Pop over in the morning and line up with the locals for great coffee and all-day brekkie, or head over after midday to swap the beans for local wines and Aussie boutique beers.
5. River Deck Cafe
Soak in views and good food at Riverdeck Cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Another dining destination next to the Murray, the award-winning River Deck Cafe provides a large deck covered in dappled sunlight that makes for the ideal long lunch spot. Here, menus focus on natural, native and local ingredients sourced from regional farmers and producers across Albury Wodonga and surrounds.
Museums, murals and more
1. Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail
Gain a sense of Albury Wodonga’s vibrant arts community while wandering the Public Art Trail. Works range from sculptures and murals to wrapped infrastructure. Be sure to check the council map before you head out, so you don’t miss a thing.
2. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)
Stop into one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)
MAMA forms the heart of art and culture in Albury Wodonga, some may say the entire Murray region. In fact, it’s one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. What makes it so lauded? The museum has earned a reputation for curating innovative, original exhibitions from some of the best contemporary Australian and international artists.
3. HotHouse Theatre
Originally built in 1928 as the Butter Factory Theatre, HotHouse Theatre has been a home of performance since 1997. Stop by to see the best of new Australian theatre. Continue to explore unique architecture on the Historic Building Walking Tour of Albury, the perfect way to round out your stay.
