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Australia's Outback: Wave Rock Motel Thinks It's 'Bush Living At Its Best'

Where: 2 Lynch Street [map], Hyden, WA, United States, 6359

In the Western Australian outback, one of the most famous tourist sights is Wave Rock, an amazing rock formation just a couple of miles east of the small town of Hyden. In the 1960s, the town of Hyden got its first pub (and attached accommodation) because

Farmers in the area decided they would like a hotel in preference to drinking in the street, as Hyden was known as the town with streets paved with bottletops.

A later development of this hotel is still a convenient spot to overnight near the rock, the Wave Rock Motel. It calls itself a three-star motel and has 55 rooms plus three executive units with "luxury furniture". As far as motels go, it's all pretty fancy and even includes a swimming pool and a gym. And there are three restaurant options within the complex, including the Sandalwood Restaurant for a buffet meal, the Gimlet Restaurant for a la carte and the Bush Bistro for a casual budget meal.

You might be tempted by the more luxurious sounding Wave Rock Resort, but be aware that it's still early days there: at the moment it's a few self-contained cottages with big plans for a pool, tennis courts and jacuzzis in the future. Until then, the guests have to use nearby motel facilities, so you're at no great advantage.

[Photo: jonathanvlarocca]

Related Stories:
· Wave Rock Motel review [VirtualTourist]
· Hit the Surf in the Desert [Jaunted]

Tags: Australian Outback Hotels / → All Tags

Australia's Outback: York's Castle Hotel Isn't A Castle, But ...

Where: 97 Avon Tce [map], York, WA, United States, 6302

Most trips to Australia concentrate on the bits around the edges, with good reason--nearly all Aussies live there, and that's where the beaches are. But head inland and it's not far until you hit the Outback, that mythical land where all is red and everything is strange.

Just on the edge of the Outback, if you head in from Perth, is the hip lil' town of York. Rapidly becoming a major tourist stopping point, especially in wildflower season, York's also home to a historic hotel: the oldest existing inland hotel in Western Australia.

If that title doesn't win you over, then here's a bit more about the Castle Hotel York. It's in the main street of town (you can't miss York's center--unless you blink) and as well as traditional hotel accommodation, you can choose to stay in the motel side of the building, and you can enjoy the bars, bottle shop, BBQ, wood-fired pizzas and (often very necessary) a swimming pool. We can vouch for the restaurant being up to par, especially the tempura prawns. Being out in the country means the prices aren't too high, and if you want a bit of luxury you can take the hotel's executive suite, including a spa, for just A$140 per night (just $115, but breakfast is extra). Okay, it's not New York, but the Aussie York is still worth a visit.

Related Stories:
· Castle Hotel reviews [VirtualTourist]
· When Camping Turns Luxury Down Under [HotelChatter]