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Every State has a selection of hotels run by
well-known and established international chains. More authentic
accommodation can be found outside the cities. The smaller hotels are
more relaxed, and offer more local flavour. The highways out of the
State cities are lined with good quality motels offering self-contained
family units, and often an in-house restaurant service.
Most hotels and motels provide rooms with telephones, private shower
and/or bath, toilet, small fridge and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
Check-out time is 1000 or 1100. Hotels/motels and motor inns have
licensed restaurant and a residents' bar; some may provide a public bar.
Motels in rural areas will normally only be able to offer breakfast.
Motor inns in rural areas will probably have a licensed restaurant, and
possibly a residents' bar as well. Private hotels are not permitted to
provide bars. The principal difference between a hotel and a motel in
Australia is that a hotel must, by law, provide a public bar among its
facilities. For this reason there are many motels which are hotels in
all but name, offering an excellent standard of comfort and service but
preferring to reserve their bar exclusively for the use of their guests,
rather than for the public at large.
Grading: Hotels and motels in Australia are graded in a star
rating system by the Australian Automobile Clubs. In most cases,
different rooms will be offered at different rates depending on their
size, aspect or facilities; this is particularly true of seafront
hotels. In general, hotels in cities cost more than their rural
counterparts. The fact that an establishment is unclassified does not
imply that it is inferior. It may still be in the process of being
classified. The following grading definitions are intended as a guide
only and are subject to change:
5-star accommodation: International-style establishments offering
a superior standard of appointments, furnishings and decor with an
extensive range of first-class guest services. A variety of room styles
and/or suites available. Choice of dining facilities, 24-hour room
service and additional shopping or recreational facilities available.
4-star accommodation: Exceptionally well-appointed establishments
with high-quality furnishings and a high degree of comfort. Fully air
conditioned. High standards of presentation and guest services provided.
Restaurant and meals available on premises.
3-star accommodation: Well-appointed establishments offering a
comfortable standard of accommodation with above-average floor
coverings, furnishings, lighting and ample heating/cooling facilities.
2-star accommodation: Well-maintained establishments offering an
average standard of accommodation with average furnishings, bedding,
floor coverings, lighting and heating/cooling facilities.
1-star accommodation: Establishments offering a basic standard of
accommodation (simply furnished, adequate lighting) and resident
manager. Motel units all have private facilities.
Note: Some hotels are graded with an additional open or
hollow star. This indicates a slightly higher grade of facilities than the
normal facilities for its classification.
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You'll
find establishments calling themselves resorts all over Australia,
but the term is not a very clearly defined one. At the bottom end,
price, appearance and facilities may be little different to those of
a motel, while top-flight places can be exclusive hideaways costing
hundreds of dollars a night. Originally the name implied that the
price was all-inclusive of accommodation, drinks, meals, sports and
anything else on offer, but this isn't always the case. These places
tend to be set in picturesque locations – the Barrier Reef islands
swarm with them – and are often brilliant value if you can wrangle
a standby or off-season price.
Self-catering or
self-contained units, apartments or country cabins can be a very
good deal for families and larger groups. The places themselves
range from larger units at a motel to purpose-built apartment
hotels, but are usually excellent value. Cooking facilities are
variable, but there'll always be a TV and fridge; linen (generally
not included) can sometimes be rented for a small extra charge.
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COUNTRY PUB
ACCOMMODATION |
| These offer drinks, meals and simple
but comfortable accommodation for travellers from around A$30 a night.
Pubs tend to be easy to find and advance reservations are not always
necessary. However, standards may vary according to the type of pub and
its location. |
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Service apartments and self-contained flats are available at main
tourist resorts, especially along the east coast. Many of the less
accessible areas have accommodation on farmsteads, from guest houses on
the huge sheep stations to basic staff quarters on smaller arable farms,
giving an insight into an alternative aspect of Australian life. There
are many homes and farms which open their doors to foreign visitors and
offer splendid hospitality. Bed & breakfast in private home
accommodation is available throughout Australia, often at very low
prices. Some companies offering budget bed & breakfast also offer
tourist and general information services. For information on bed &
breakfast accommodation, contact Bed & Breakfast Australia, PO Box
408, 5 Yarabah Avenue, Gordon, NSW 2072 (tel: (2) 94 98 53 44; fax: (2)
94 98 14 38). Some hotels have self-catering apartments. For more
information contact the Australian Tourist Commission. Guest-houses are
not allowed to serve alcohol. Grading: Holiday units and
apartments are classified according to a 5-star system with criteria
comparable to those for hotels and motels above.
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CAMPING/CARAVANNING |
Camping tours cover most of the country,
especially the wilder areas. Participants generally join a group under
an experienced guide team and everyone helps with cooking, washing, etc.
All equipment and transport is supplied; some also provide portable
showers. More rugged tours with Land Rovers are available, offering
limited facilities, although company equipment is again provided with a
driver/guide and cook. This can be one of the best ways to explore the
Australian Outback. Camping site information is available from all major
tourist centres. It is inadvisable to camp on undesignated sites.
A number of companies can arrange motor camper rentals, with a
range of fully-equipped vehicles. Full details can be obtained from the
Australian Tourist Commission. Grading: Caravan parks are
classified according to a 5-star system with criteria similar to those
for hotels and motels above. Accommodation is also available at many of
Australia's sheep stations.
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