GARIWERD MOTEL

A Haven Away From Home

Gariwerd Motel is delighted to offer guests an affordable, clean and welcoming haven away from home in the heart of picturesque Halls Gap.

Nestled between Mount Chatauqua and Mount Boronia and just 700 metres from the small village centre of Halls Gap, this welcoming motel provides family-friendly accommodation with a strong focus on environmental awareness. Set on two sprawling acres adjoining the Grampians National Park, the motel is perfectly positioned to enable guests to make the most of the nearby mountains, and the myriad of outdoor adventures available in the region.

Named in honour of the Aboriginal word for the surrounding mountain ranges, the Gariwerd Motel consists of 23 clean, comfortable and spacious rooms in a variety of styles and configurations, including pet-friendly accommodation options. Owner and managers Tony, David and Kelly have developed this unique property with a passion for their beautiful mountainous region, and a strong commitment to delivering personalised service to meet the needs of guests. It’s no wonder the Gariwerd Motel has received a swag of rave reviews and accolades for exceptional customer care, cleanliness, and environmental initiatives from online booking sites such as tripadvisor and booking.com.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a week-long retreat, Gariwerd Motel offers the perfect laid-back lodging from which to explore and discover the many hidden gems of the Grampians region.

The Grounds

The sprawling, mostly level grounds of the Gariwerd Motel reflect the team’s passion for preserving the environment and commitment to respecting the traditional custodians of the land. Thoughtfully created Indigenous gardens are planted with scented gums, bush food, flowers, grasses and even orchids, creating opportunities for sensory exploration. With no boundary fences, native wildlife such as emus and kangaroos can freely roam. You may hear the kangaroos chuff as they come in for their dawn and evening graze. The grounds also provide a home for an abundant variety of other native fauna including nesting birds, possums, sugar gliders, bats, frogs, cicadas and other critters. Listen out for their birdsong and echolocation cries which provide a unique soundscape for your stay.

Large open grassed areas with stone edging and outdoor dining settings provide plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors and breathe in the fresh mountain air. In the evenings, cuddle up beside a toasty campfire in the outdoor fire pits to soak in the relaxing outdoorsy ambience of this stunning landscape. Planter boxes located throughout the grounds contain Indigenous bush foods carefully selected by a local Indigenous food expert. Once matured, the motel hopes to have these available for guests to sample and discover.

The Accommodation

A series of footpaths connect the central parking area to the front doors of all guest rooms, positioned in a series of single-level buildings interspersed around the property. The accommodation is clean, quiet and comfortable, containing everything you need for an enjoyable, hassle-free stay. Each guest room features a living area with seating, table, TV and DVD player, and cosy bedding consistent with your chosen room type. A built-in bench at the entrance along the wall houses kitchen basics to keep you fed and caffeinated, including a kettle, toaster, microwave, small fridge, basic cutlery and crockery and complimentary tea and coffee supplies. If you wish to unleash your inner Master Chef, why not take advantage of our outdoor barbecues and communal kitchen facilities?

Adjoining the main room is a small but functional ensuite bathroom with separate toilet. Steaming hot showers with awesome pressure and wall-mounted eco-friendly toiletries provide the perfect remedy for aching muscles after an active day of outdoor adventures. Top-of-the-line reverse cycle split system air-conditioning and plentiful blankets and pillows are sure to keep you snug and cosy year-round. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and a DVD, book and game library is also available for guests’ entertainment.

A Little Bit Green

The team at Gariwerd Motel deeply appreciates the profound cultural significance and natural value of their pristine surrounds. They acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose lands on which they are fortunate to live and work on, and pay their respects to all Elders past and present.

As self-proclaimed ‘eco nerds’, the friendly team at Gariwerd Motel are proud to be implementing a host of initiatives designed to help protect and preserve this beautiful natural environment. They are an environmentally focused motel, from their use of eco-friendly cleaners and toiletries to their comprehensive recycling and composting systems. Entering your guest room, you may be surprised to be greeted by the uplifting fresh scent of pure eucalyptus oil used in their own eco-cleaning products, rather than the usual strong stench of harsh chemicals used in many other establishments.

The property also boasts other eco-friendly features including a huge rooftop solar system, a 21 metre compost bay, worm farms, worm and frog tunnels and habitat housing for animals and insects. These clean, green initiatives aim to ensure the sustainable enjoyment of this pristine piece of paradise for future generations.

Accessibility

At Gariwerd Motel, Tony, David and Kelly go the extra mile to ensure every guest is warmly welcomed and enjoys a comfortable stay.

They are proud to be an autism, ASD and neurodiverse aware property. The property’s owner, Tony, has a deep understanding of autism from first-hand experience, and managers and staff are autism-aware and extremely accommodating. They really get it – understanding that going out of your comfort zone can be stressful, especially when travel causes disruption to normal routines. Please let them know your needs, and they will do their utmost to ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable visit.

The motel grounds are mostly quite flat, and accommodation is on a single level. From the central parking area, a footpath runs along each row of accommodation, providing easy access to the front doors of guest rooms, to reception and to the shared kitchenette. If required, a range of assistive aids are also available for your comfort and convenience including items such as rails, ramps, shower chairs and parenting items.

Pet-friendly rooms are available on request. Please notify the friendly team ahead of time if you’ll be travelling with an assistance animal or domestic pet, so they can make appropriate arrangements. Dogs must sleep on their own bedding on the floor, must not be left unattended, and are not permitted in the National Park (with the exception of registered assistance animals). Grassy areas suitable for toileting dogs are located opposite the front and back blocks across the carpark, at each end of the side block and there is also a large area in the south back corner of the property.

As a small, friendly and responsive team, they strongly encourage you to contact them directly to discuss your requirements. They delight in meeting the needs of guests and love helping you discover the best combination of activities during your visit.