Augusta Budget Motel

I booked a room here for someone travelling through. It is old and run down, and that's the good points. He was the only occupant, and now I know why. There is nobody on site. Sign on the door advising potential guests to call a number for bookings. The guest I booked in, went to the servo across the vacant block for some food, and while there was advised not to stay there because no one is ever there and the local hoods and bad boys just wait to see a light on, then break in and steal wallets etc. My guest did say he noticed the screen on the bathroom window was twisted and broken. Don't stop here if you value your life.

This place was a dive we could not have stayed any more than one night. The towels were frayed, the cups take away polystyrene. outside there was a makeshift ash tray on the wall full of butts floating in water. A truckie overnight stop be be prepared for noise early and late. There is no staff onsite. The tv didn't work so we had to ring up , someone did come to fix it. $120 is not a budget price for this place. not walking distance to town. The town is depressed, only coffee shop we found was at the visitor centre. I stayed because we wanted to go to the arid botanic garden, which was terrific, good cafe as well. To top it all off I got a speeding fine going between here and the town for 70 in a 60 and they do not take any off. They have a $94 levy for victims of crime which is not explained on the ticket, I had to google it. It made for a very expensive stay.

Personally I would avoid at all costs if possible and I certainly don't ever want to return. The motel is run down and looks as if no one cares. When walking our small dog around the grounds, we noticed that it was covered in beer bottle lids, broken glass and dog poo. I understand that the motel is pet friendly (obviously the reason we booked) but we travelled in pet friendly accommodation the whole way from Perth to Melbourne and not one other accommodation was in such a bad state. Furniture chewed by animals, doors scratched up.... Didn't see one staff member at all, even when we checked in we rang a number and she told us the room number and where the keys were. Room next door had a longer term resident - he was the one who provided us information about things such as how to check out etc and where to eat. The website indicates free wi-fi, no information provided on how to access that. It was a bed to sleep in and that was about it. The terrific water pressure in the shower is what got it over to a 2 star rather than a 1 star.

It's convenient, great bed & shower air con didn't work last time, bloody cold! Overall, not too bad, but there must be some who have grubby pets, given the extra cost! We'll probably stay again, because the options are non existent!