Kalua Motel

Kalua Motel is a budget 3-star motel at 4A Hinkler Avenue in Bundaberg North, a few minutes' drive from the city centre and right by the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. It is a straightforward, well-priced base: ground-floor rooms with no stairs, off-street parking at the door of most rooms, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour check-in by arrangement.

Dogs at the Kalua Motel

The motel's pet status is genuinely unclear, so do not book for your dog without checking first. Some booking platforms list the motel as pet-friendly on request, with a possible pet fee and pet-friendly rooms, while other platforms list it as no pets at all. The motel's own FAQ page is silent on pets. The practical answer: ring reception on (07) 4151 3049 and confirm whether a dog can be accommodated before you commit to a booking. If you have assistance animal documentation, that is a separate right and worth raising directly with the motel.

Worth knowing

Reviewers rate the beds and pillows, the quiet location and the friendly staff, with the Small Queen rooms the cheapest tier and the standard Queen Rooms more spacious. The motel is not fancy, but the location next to the Botanic Gardens gives you Bundaberg's best walking on the doorstep, and the Rum Distillery and Hinkler Hall of Aviation are minutes away. Mon Repos and the turtle centre are about 15 minutes east, though the turtle season runs November to March and needs bookings.

Getting there and parking

The motel is on Hinkler Avenue, just off Mount Perry Road in Bundaberg North, an easy turn-off from the Gin Gin Road approach if you are arriving from the north. Off-street parking is free at the door of most rooms, though the compact Small Queen (External Bathroom) rooms have no dedicated parking. Bundaberg Railway Station is about five minutes by car, and the airport about the same.

While you're out there

The Bundaberg North Dog Park on Edina Street is a fully fenced off-leash park with separated enclosures, agility gear, water and waste bags, a few minutes from the motel. The Botanic Gardens next door is on-leash only on its paths, with dogs kept clear of the duck ponds and wildlife areas. If the motel cannot take your dog, Splitters Farm and the Midtown Caravan Park are pet-friendly alternatives in the region.

More options are in our Queensland pet friendly stays guide, and everything else around the suburb under Bundaberg North.