Whale Motor Inn and Restaurant

We found this place on Google while planning our trip down the East Coast, but photos alone didn’t tell us what to expect. It was easy to find, with plenty of free parking, and we were amazed by the size of the apartment. There was a private patio with sea views, a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi, two TVs, a fully equipped kitchenette and a complete three-piece suite. Natasha, the hostess, was absolutely lovely. There’s a good pub, restaurant and brewery down the road with ocean views, as well as some nice coffee shops in the little town. We’d highly recommend staying here if you’re in the area.

For the time of year, this motel was very good value in this location, and it was pretty much what I expected. Some small details could be improved, though. The rooms aren't serviced during a stay, so guests have to empty their own bins, which would be fine if there were spare bin liners in the kitchen cupboards. There’s cutlery, but nothing like tongs to use or clean the BBQ facilities. The rooms have a toaster, kettle and microwave, and some look like they're being renovated, as they’re overdue for it. There was quite a smell on the stairs near some rooms, and leaking roofs outside the entrances made it hard to get into rooms without getting wet in the rain. Not terrible, not great.

The Whale is back, with a room full of locals enjoying the food, wine and atmosphere. We had a fantastic evening with lovely people, attentive staff and amazing food with incredible flavours. The hype was justified, and our expectations were met. We’ll be back for another dinner.

It was a lovely birthday night out, with amazing food and kind owners and staff. My partner surprised me with dinner on the restaurant’s first day trading after the fires. They were accommodating, with plenty of vegan options. My partner had called around midday when booking to ask if they might be able to make a vegan birthday cake, since she hadn’t been able to bake one herself with everything going on. Despite the short notice and the work of preparing for regular service, they made it in just a few hours, and it was delicious.