🇦🇺 Adelaide, Australia
Scottys Motel
📍 1 Nottage Terrace, Medindie SA 5081, Australia
Your stay — Scottys Motel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Adelaide.
The Property — Scottys Motel
Scotty's Motel is a clean, no-frills budget stop on the edge of Adelaide's CBD, aimed at travellers who need a cheap bed near the airport or city without fuss. The lobby smells of floor polish and instant coffee, and the staff are efficient but brisk. It's ideal for a one-night layover or a solo traveller prioritising price over atmosphere.
Chronicles of Adelaide
Adelaide was founded in 1836 as a planned free-settler colony, laid out on a grid with generous parklands by Colonel William Light. Its early wealth came from wheat and copper, then from manufacturing, but a deep recession in the 1990s forced a reinvention toward festivals, education and wine tourism. Today it's a compact, food-and-culture city with a muscular arts scene—home to the biennial Adelaide Festival and the world's largest fringe festival. Architecturally, it mixes Victorian stone churches, brutalist concrete towers and modern glass hotel blocks, all within a ring of green parkland that gives the centre an unusually open feel.
Best Time to Visit
Full Adelaide guide →Best months
March and October: mild days (22–26°C), low humidity, minimal rain, and no major festivals clogging hotels or restaurants.
Peak / festival surge
March (Adelaide Festival/Madge)/October (Royal Adelaide Show) – hotel prices can double; Scotty's Motel often fills with festival workers or show-goers. February's Fringe Festival also drives demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and November: temperatures drop to 15–18°C, crowds thin, and Scotty's often drops to its cheapest rack rates. Still plenty of daylight for sightseeing.
Weather & packing
Adelaide's climate is Mediterranean but famously fickle – a June day can begin sunny at 10°C and end in a rain squall at 5°C. Pack a waterproof shell and a mid-layer fleece; do not rely on a single jacket.
Live City Briefing — Adelaide
- The O-Bahn busway from the city to Tea Tree Gully is undergoing weekend closures in June 2026 for track repairs – check Adelaide Metro's website for replacement bus shuttles to avoid delays.
- A new laneway bar and small-plates cluster called 'The Balfours' has opened in the old West End brewery district, five minutes' walk from the motel.
- The Adelaide City Council has trialled extended Sunday trading hours from May 2026, meaning Central Market now stays open until 5pm on Sundays – useful for a last-minute food shop before your flight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Scottys Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the rear of the motel (away from Nottage Terrace) to minimise road noise, as the front rooms face a main road with regular traffic. Any ground-floor unit is fine since it's all single-storey, but rear-facing rooms are quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Nottage Terrace, especially those closest to the junction with Main North Road — these will pick up traffic rumble and occasional late-night noise from the street. The single-storey layout means no upper-floor noise, but front rooms are louder.
Best views
The best view is from rear rooms overlooking the motel’s internal courtyard or garden area — a quiet, leafy outlook. Front rooms offer a view of the street and parked cars.
Quietest floors
All rooms are ground-floor, so there’s no floor-based noise from above. Request a rear-facing room for the quietest experience.
🔊 Noise notes
Nottage Terrace is a main arterial road in Adelaide’s inner northern suburbs, with steady traffic from early morning until late evening. Peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm) are loudest. The motel’s single-storey, ground-floor design means rooms with windows facing the street get full exposure. No bar or lift noise, but car noise from the on-site parking lot (directly outside rooms) can be heard if guests arrive late.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early (before 6pm) to secure one of the 10 free parking spots directly outside your room — they fill fast. If full, use the Medindie Shops car park (5-min walk, free for 2 hours) but note the time limit. 2. Request the single roll-in shower room when booking if you need step-free bathroom access — only one exists, so it bookable in advance.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Scottys Motel
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests. No login required; just accept the terms on the portal.
No lift. Single-storey motel with direct external room access; all rooms ground-floor.
Free digital newspapers on the hotel tablet in the lobby (The Advertiser daily). No printed papers. The motel is a 1950s roadside motor inn with original blonde-brick facade and neon sign.
Standard check-in 14:00-20:00. Early bag-drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out to 11:00 for $30; after 11:00 charged half the nightly rate.
Free luggage storage behind the front desk for same-day check-out guests until 18:00.
Step-free access to reception and rooms via ramps. All rooms are ground-floor with doorways 80 cm wide. No hearing loops or visual aids. Contact ahead for a roll-in shower room (only one available).
Free on-site parking directly outside each room. 10 spaces, first-come-first-served. Nearest public parking is Medindie Shops car park (5-min walk, free 2-hour limit). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. A $50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church (604 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Andrews (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: St Cyprian's Church (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: St Marys (2.0 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
North Adelaide Village — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Prospect Pocket Park — 107 m · ~1 min walk
R. M. Williams Outback Heritage Museum — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Memorial Gardens Sound Shell — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Glover North Playspace — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Guardian — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Ovingham — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs or your bank card at major bank branches in the city centre; avoid the airport currency exchange kiosks and tourist bureaux which charge poor rates and high fees.
Cards and contactless (tap-and-go) are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis, cafés, and small shops. Mobile pay is widely supported. Carry a small amount of cash for markets or very small vendors.
Tipping is not expected or required. Round up cab fare or leave small change for excellent service in restaurants, but it’s entirely optional. Hotel staff don’t expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard flat white or latte from any café is around $4.50–$5.00.
A burger or sandwich from a local bakery or takeaway shop runs $10–$14.
A main course at a pub or casual Italian place costs $18–$25.
Adelaide’s Central Market (15 min away by bus/tram) has cheap eat stalls, and Rundle Mall’s food court offers budget Asian and kebab options nearby.
Coles and Woolworths are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
Target, Kmart, and Big W in nearby shopping centres cover affordable basics; the Rundle Mall high street has chain stores.
A single trip on bus/tram is $3.50, but a day pass (metroCARD) for unlimited travel costs $9.60. From the airport, take the J1/J2 bus to the city for $3.50; avoid taxis.
Buy a metroCARD for cheaper fares; eat lunch specials at pubs and cafés rather than dinner; visit the Central Market late on Saturday for markdowns.
Good to know — Adelaide
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
AdelaideCall 000 for police, ambulance, or fire. For non-urgent police assistance, dial 131 444. For health advice (not life-threatening), call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Deaf or hearing-impaired users can text 106 via TTY.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Adelaide, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Scottys Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Guardian — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Adelaide Airport (ADL) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Book with 13CABS for the most reliable service. Avoid surge pricing by requesting a sedan, not a maxi taxi.
Adelaide Airport (ADL) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Take the J1 or J2 bus from stop 10 at the airport to Grenfell Street in the city, then catch the 333 bus from stop Z1 on King William Street directly to the hotel. Use a MetroCard for the cheapest fare.
Adelaide Railway Station → Largs Railway Station (5-min walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a day pass for $9.80 if you plan to explore the coast. Walk west along Military Road from Largs station – the hotel is a quick stagger.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre (city fringe) → Largs Pier Hotel, Largs North
💡 Not the most direct option, but combine the tram to the Entertainment Centre then walk 10 minutes to Bowden station for the Outer Harbor train. Handy if you're already near the city's west side.
About Adelaide
Wikipedia ↗
Adelaide ( AD-il-ayd; Kaurna: Tarndanya [ˈd̪̥aɳɖaɲa]) is the capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre; the demonym Adel...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Scottys Motel?
Request a room at the rear of the motel (away from Nottage Terrace) to minimise road noise, as the front rooms face a main road with regular traffic. Any ground-floor unit is fine since it's all single-storey, but rear-facing rooms are quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Scottys Motel?
Avoid rooms facing Nottage Terrace, especially those closest to the junction with Main North Road — these will pick up traffic rumble and occasional late-night noise from the street. The single-storey layout means no upper-floor noise, but front rooms are louder.
Is Scottys Motel noisy?
Nottage Terrace is a main arterial road in Adelaide’s inner northern suburbs, with steady traffic from early morning until late evening. Peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm) are loudest. The motel’s single-storey, ground-floor design means rooms with windows facing the street get full exposure. No bar or lift noise, but car noise from the on-site parking lot (directly outside rooms) can be heard if guests arrive late.
Which rooms have the best views at Scottys Motel?
The best view is from rear rooms overlooking the motel’s internal courtyard or garden area — a quiet, leafy outlook. Front rooms offer a view of the street and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Scottys Motel?
1. Arrive early (before 6pm) to secure one of the 10 free parking spots directly outside your room — they fill fast. If full, use the Medindie Shops car park (5-min walk, free for 2 hours) but note the time limit. 2. Request the single roll-in shower room when booking if you need step-free bathroom access — only one exists, so it bookable in advance.
What time is check-in at Scottys Motel?
Check-in at Scottys Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Scottys Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests. No login required; just accept the terms on the portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Scottys Motel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Scottys Motel?
A burger or sandwich from a local bakery or takeaway shop runs $10–$14.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Scottys Motel?
A single trip on bus/tram is $3.50, but a day pass (metroCARD) for unlimited travel costs $9.60. From the airport, take the J1/J2 bus to the city for $3.50; avoid taxis.
When is the best time to visit Adelaide?
March and October: mild days (22–26°C), low humidity, minimal rain, and no major festivals clogging hotels or restaurants.
Top Attractions in Adelaide
💡 Go late on Saturday afternoon – stallholders drop prices to clear stock. The dumpling stall near the Gouger Street entrance is a cheap lunch favourite under $8.
💡 Walk the loop from the Festival Centre to the zoo and back – about 3km. At sunset, the floodlit buildings reflect in the lake. Free to walk, cycle, or picnic any time.
💡 Pick up the free floor talk schedules—volunteer guides give excellent 30-minute spotlight tours on specific pieces. Quietest on weekday mornings.
💡 Head upstairs to the glass-walled balcony overlooking the chamber for the best photo spot. Free 30-minute tours of the Mortlock Chamber are offered at 11am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
💡 The Pacific Cultures gallery on the third floor is usually empty of crowds but holds fascinating Solomon Islands canoe prow figures. Allow 90 minutes minimum.
💡 Drop into the 'Gallery Studio' on weekends for free hands-on art activities. Weekday mornings are quietest for viewing.
💡 Enter via the North Terrace gates and walk straight to the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion – the giant lily pads are best in summer. Free guided walks at 10:30am daily.
💡 Use the northern gate on Hackney Road to avoid the busier main entrance. The cafe near the lake does good coffee without the premium North Terrace prices.