Emerald Explorers Inn

A lovely place to stay, with plenty of parking and very neat, clean rooms. The food is so good, so don’t miss trying something from the restaurant. I highly recommend it for family and friends.

We couldn’t safely travel because of state-recognised national flooding, and gave five days’ notice that we couldn’t make our booking. Our first cancellation request asked for a response within 24 hours, but the motel didn’t reply. We then took it to Booking.com. They contacted the property three days later and gave it another 48 hours to respond, but again there was no reply. The property only got in touch six days after our first request, after we followed up again. Instead of basic courtesy, we were met with yelling, swearing and aggressive behaviour. They told us flooding “isn’t a natural disaster,” that our inability to travel was “not their problem,” and that we should have “just figured it out,” even though emergency conditions had been declared. The conversation became threatening and intimidating. We couldn’t reach the property because the only road to the motel was officially closed due to flooding, and it was still closed three days after our booking ended. They later offered another date, but the way it was presented felt deeply uncomfortable and intimidating. We felt unsafe and didn’t want any more contact. This was a complete failure to communicate, followed by hostile, abusive and inappropriate treatment during a declared emergency, not just a policy disagreement. All communication was recorded, and they knew that throughout, yet still acted this way. If management treats guests like this when circumstances are beyond their control, I strongly recommend staying elsewhere. Book anywhere else. I’d give less than one star if I could.

The rooms are a bit tired, but it’s quiet and a good place to rest. Communication and check-in are very straightforward. You’ll find it next to Lindsay Rural Transport Yard. If you’re travelling with a truck, ask whether you can park in their yard.

I booked early in the evening while heading north in my truck, for a late arrival and early start. The room was clean, the bed comfortable, the showers really hot, and I liked having a smart TV so I could stream YouTube from my phone. I could see the pool from the room, though I didn’t have time to try it. The price was great, and although it’s on the main road into town, I didn’t hear traffic once the door was shut. The site was clean, so the staff clearly look after it, and the after-hours booking service from Brisbane was friendly too. There was space out front for larger vehicles, plus undercover parks next to most of the rooms I saw. My truck was 3m tall and 7m long. After walking the route to find my room, I drove into the little dead-end section and parked to the side, since I was leaving early. I reversed out easily at the T section. I was on a mission north and didn’t get to explore the area, but I wish I’d had more time. I’d stay again in a heartbeat.