Live Your Best Don’t Worry Darling Life (on a Budget) at Victoria’s Palm Springs-Inspired Motel

Australia is in the throes of a retro renaissance, with the refurbishment of many, many motels. Kyneton Springs Motel is the latest.

About an hour north-west of Melbourne, Kyneton is in the idyllic Macedon Ranges – and just off the Calder Highway, it acts as something of a gateway to the state’s north.

Its namesake motel channels heyday California in a big way, with bright and bold colours completely blitzing the bleakness of the traditional roadside rest stop.

An old-school road sign – with “Springs” lit up in pink neon – is the first giveaway that there’s something special about this spot. But it continues inside with the nostalgic and slightly daring designs of each room, each of which has been individually curated. Find pastel colours and photogenic decor throughout, while breakfast cards and vintage telephones are throwbacks that work. There’s also a retro-inspired bar called The Patio.

There are also several small but valuable details included that you’d usually consider luxurious for a motel. That means premium bathroom products, access to Netflix, super-fast wi-fi and extra-comfy beds – definitely not the blocks of cement and strange set of sheets you might typically associate with a budget motel.

“We were determined to remain affordable so guests can maximise the unique vibes,” says creator Catherine Foote. “The goal is more than a good night’s sleep, but creating a space that is accessible, fun and with a little bit of luxury.”

The “Springs” element might borrow from Palm Springs, but it’s also a legitimate expression of the area’s natural resources. The region is famous for its natural springs, and Kyneton is a relatively short drive from Victoria’s hot-spring capital, Daylesford.

Stays start at $150 per night.

Kyneton Springs Motel
101 Piper Street, Kyneton

kynetonspringsmotel.com