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I don’t particularly like staying in hotels where all the rooms are the same and you never see the owner. I prefer smaller, family run accommodations and the smaller the number of units the better.
Our accommodations included on-site caravans at caravan parks, houses, cottages and condominiums rented by owners as well as small family run motels. One of the houses was a farm stay. Although a couple of places needed redecorating and better heating we were satisfied overall with our choices and especially with the price.
I rented through the Internet using the following sites. Remember it is always a good idea to exchange emails with the owners and even phone calls before closing a deal. I found by talking to owners over the phone was an effective way to ensure few surprises upon your arrival and create a bond. It was amazing how much first hand information you can glean with the personal touch.
Total Travel website: http://www.totaltravel.com.au/
This is an Australia wide site specializing in all facets of tourism (activities, accommodations etc.). It is the one I used the most.
Holiday Rentals: http://www.realestate.com.au/
If you don’t have the time or can’t be bothered negotiating with individual rental property owners you can use real estate agencies specializing in holiday rentals. I used this site to book a condominium overlooking the beach at Bribie Island on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. The local real estate agency was called Realway Real Estate.
Tourist Information Centres: http://www.australianexplorer.com/
A more traditional way to find accommodation is to contact the local tourism offices called Tourist Information Centres (TICs). I used these offices to find accommodation on Philip Island and in Apollo Bay in Victoria. The Australian Explorer site has a sophisticated search that shows all the TICs as well as lots of other tourist information.
Our accommodations included on-site caravans at caravan parks, houses, cottages and condominiums rented by owners as well as small family run motels. One of the houses was a farm stay. Although a couple of places needed redecorating and better heating we were satisfied overall with our choices and especially with the price.
I rented through the Internet using the following sites. Remember it is always a good idea to exchange emails with the owners and even phone calls before closing a deal. I found by talking to owners over the phone was an effective way to ensure few surprises upon your arrival and create a bond. It was amazing how much first hand information you can glean with the personal touch.
Total Travel website: http://www.totaltravel.com.au/
This is an Australia wide site specializing in all facets of tourism (activities, accommodations etc.). It is the one I used the most.
Holiday Rentals: http://www.realestate.com.au/
If you don’t have the time or can’t be bothered negotiating with individual rental property owners you can use real estate agencies specializing in holiday rentals. I used this site to book a condominium overlooking the beach at Bribie Island on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. The local real estate agency was called Realway Real Estate.
Tourist Information Centres: http://www.australianexplorer.com/
A more traditional way to find accommodation is to contact the local tourism offices called Tourist Information Centres (TICs). I used these offices to find accommodation on Philip Island and in Apollo Bay in Victoria. The Australian Explorer site has a sophisticated search that shows all the TICs as well as lots of other tourist information.
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