Evoke the nostalgia and simplicity of holidays gone by at this stylish new stay.
Tucked alongside the Tarwin River and sitting within one acre of garden, River Drive Motel is a charming new five-room self-contained motel worth visiting thanks to its stylish restoration, modern design sensibility and a nod to Australian nostalgia.
Business and life partners Kate Hannaford and Dic Coates (along with Dic’s brother and wife) bought the then-run-down motel in 2021 to create a place where guests can come and go at their own pace while creating memories that last a lifetime. Drawing on years of expertise and fond memories of holidays that spilled from one day to the next at a relaxed pace, it was the perfect project for the creative couple who also own and run Moth Design – a Melbourne-based event and design agency.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
“We wanted to reinvent the concept of what holiday accommodation can be by providing a home away from home that is both modern and nostalgic. With kids of our own, we love the idea of being able to simply drive up, unpack and enjoy your own adventure,” says Kate Hannaford, co-owner of River Drive Motel.
View this post on Instagram
Taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape, a palette of eucalyptus greens, earth tones and wattle golds feature throughout the interiors while a curated collection of more than 25 artworks by Australian artists, including First Nations and young and upcoming, will be rotated regularly. The result is every room at River Drive Motel is unique in its design, with thoughtful touches throughout.
River Drive Motel offers five fully self-contained rooms, each with individual access keypads and equipped with all the essentials for a settled and enjoyable stay. Stepping inside, you’ll find a carefully considered use of materials, with polished chrome, corduroy, cork, and laminate being used alongside custom designed and built (in-house) Victorian plantation hardwood furniture and joinery. Vintage pieces also feature throughout and have been sourced by Moth to create a premium yet timeless design that completes the interiors of each room.
Each room features a carefully curated mini bar stocked with a selection of local products available to purchase. Guests can try products including A.R.C Wines, Loch Distillery & Brewery G&T and rotating beers, Gurneys Cider, WaWa Chocolate, Love Tea and more. The mini bar has been curated so that guests can venture out and visit the home premises of the brands stocked, most of which can be found within the Gippsland region.
For something more substantial, River Drive Motel has partnered with local caterer Acacia Edibles to offer all-day seasonal grazing boxes, filled with locally sourced artisan cheeses, free-range small goods and seasonal produce. Available to pre-order directly through Acacia, have the boxes delivered straight to your room at a time of your choosing.
View this post on Instagram
Perfect for all travel group sizes, the motel offers everything from a romantic getaway for two through to The Family Apartment which comfortably fits five. Each room is equipped with all the essentials for a settled and enjoyable stay, including the locally stocked minibar, Ashley & Co body products, bed linen, and bath towels. All rooms also come with kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, toaster, and kettle, allowing for a self-sufficient holiday. Complimentary high-speed WIFI, a wireless Bluetooth speaker, and onsite parking for one vehicle are also included.
If all that wasn’t enough, guests can enjoy a large communal garden area featuring picnic tables and a BBQ for outdoor dining, and a ‘garden shed’ filled with classic family-friendly games including Jenga, Finska, tethered tennis, and coits which can be enjoyed under the lush oak tree.
Located at 19 River Drive, Tarwin Lower, Victoria; River Drive Motel is right across the road from the Tarwin River and is close to a quaint strip of local shops and gallery, cafe, pub, and just a short drive from the Venus Bay beaches. R
Bookings can be made online here and rooms start at $340 per night with a minimum two-night stay.
