Your stay — Ben Chifley Motor Inn
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 Bathurst.
The Property — Ben Chifley Motor Inn
The Ben Chifley Motor Inn is a straightforward, no-nonsense roadside motel on the Great Western Highway, just east of Bathurst’s centre. Its red-brick façade and tidy, compact car park signal a mid-century travel lodge updated for modern comfort. Inside, the lobby is unpretentious: a laminate front desk, beige tones, and a stack of local tourist guides. It suits road-trippers, racing fans, or anyone needing a clean, affordable base with parking and a simple breakfast included.
Chronicles of Bathurst
Bathurst, founded in 1815, is Australia’s oldest inland European settlement, established as an agricultural outpost beyond the Blue Mountains. The 1851 gold rush transformed it into a booming town, funding grand Victorian buildings like the court house and the cathedral. Later, manufacturing and education diversified its economy, but motor racing cemented its modern identity: the Mount Panorama circuit, opened in 1938, hosts the annual Bathurst 1000, making the city a pilgrimage site for V8 Supercar fans. Today, Bathurst balances heritage tourism, a growing university population, and a laid-back regional vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bathurst guide →Best months
March and April for mild autumn days and clear skies, plus November for spring warmth before summer heat sets in.
Peak / festival surge
October, driven by the Bathurst 1000 race (early October). Hotel prices triple or quadruple; the whole city is packed with race fans. The second peak is the December–January summer holidays.
Budget shoulder season
May and August offer cooler weather, quiet streets, and significantly lower motel rates. March and November also give discounts outside festival periods.
Weather & packing
Bathurst sits at 700 m elevation, so nights are cold even in summer. Pack layers: a fleece or down jacket for evenings, and always include a waterproof shell because rain can blow in fast from the west.
Live City Briefing — Bathurst
- The city council has completed the upgrade of the main drag, Howick Street, with wider footpaths and new cycle lanes; roadworks around the railway station are ongoing, causing occasional delays.
- A new craft brewery, Bathurst Brewing, opened on Piper Street in early 2025, drawing locals and visitors to its taproom and beer garden.
- The Bathurst Regional Art Gallery has launched a permanent exhibition on the Wiradjuri people’s history of the area, open daily free of charge.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ben Chifley Motor Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the rear of the hotel, closest to the exterior walkway, to minimize street noise from Stewart Street. Given the ground-floor layout with no stairs, rooms at the back of the hotel are likely to be quieter and have easier access to parking.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the front of the hotel, especially those near the main entrance, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential disruptions from the car park.
Best views
Unfortunately, with the hotel's address on Stewart Street, there are no notable views to request. The hotel's location is in a residential area, and the surroundings are not particularly scenic.
Quietest floors
The entire ground floor, as all rooms are accessed via exterior walkway and no stairs are required once on ground level.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may be disturbed by street noise from Stewart Street, which can be a busy thoroughfare. Additionally, the free on-site parking is directly outside room doors, which may generate some noise from vehicle activity.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, which is convenient for guests with mobility issues or those who prefer not to use the public car park. Consider requesting a room closer to the exterior walkway if you have mobility issues, as it provides easy access to the car park and reception without requiring stairs.
- 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 — Ben Chifley Motor Inn
Free basic WiFi (up to 12 Mbps) for all guests; no login constraints. No premium tier.
No lift. All rooms ground-floor accessed via exterior walkway – no stairs needed once on ground level.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader code at check-in. Local hardcopy Bathurst Chronicle available in lobby on weekdays only.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available at reception from 08:00; late check-out until 11:00 (fee equal to half nightly rate).
Free at reception desk during staffed hours (07:00–21:00 weekdays, 08:00–20:00 weekends).
Step-free entry from car park to reception and all ground-floor rooms. No accessible bathroom features or grab rails in standard rooms.
Free on-site parking directly outside room doors. No valet. Nearest public car park is Bathurst Regional Council Car Park on Russell Street, $5 overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit on booking. A $200 credit card hold for incidentals taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cathedral of St Michael and St John (441 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Bathurst City Uniting Church (592 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Bathurst Corps (938 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: All Saints Cathedral (941 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bathurst City Centre — 981 m · ~12 min walk
Centennial Park — 567 m · ~7 min walk
Bathurst District Historical Museum — 755 m · ~9 min walk
Macquarie Playground — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Reliance Credit Union — 854 m · ~11 min walk
Forbutt's Keppel Street Pharmacy — 675 m · ~8 min walk
Lucky Supermarket Indian & Asian Grocery — 116 m · ~1 min walk
Bathurst Station — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs at major banks or post offices for fair rates; avoid currency exchange desks at airports or tourist spots as they charge poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless pay (tap) is common; Amex not always accepted; carry some cash for small vendors or markets.
Tipping is not expected in Australia; round up for good service in taxis or cafes (e.g., keep the change); in restaurants, a 10% tip for exceptional service is nice but rare.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard takeaway flat white or latte from a cafe: about $4.50–$5.00.
A meat pie or sausage roll from a bakery or service station: around $6–$8.
A main course at a pub or bistro: roughly $20–$25 for a burger or pasta.
Not a street-food city as such; best budget eats are at local bakeries, service stations with hot food, or the Bathurst City Centre food court.
The main budget supermarket chains are Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi (Aldi being the cheapest).
Affordable shopping is at Kmart, Big W, or Target in the Bathurst City Centre mall.
Walk the compact town centre; for longer trips, a taxi from the airport costs about $15–$20 (no public bus from airport). A car is the most practical option for exploring the region.
1) Buy groceries at Aldi for cheapest basics. 2) Fill up with petrol at major brands (BP, Shell) away from the highway for better prices. 3) Check pub meal deals on weeknights for discounted dinners.
Good to know — Bathurst
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
BathurstWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bathurst, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ben Chifley Motor Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Reliance Credit Union — 854 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Forbutt's Keppel Street Pharmacy — 675 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bathurst Airport (BHS) → Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn (28 Sydney Rd)
💡 Call Bathurst Taxis (02 6331 2121) ahead of your flight arrival; wait times can be 15–20 min late at night.
Bathurst Railway Station (Havannah St) → Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn (stop: Sydney Rd at Piper St)
💡 Buy a single ticket from the driver (exact change preferred). For the return to the station, flag the bus down on the opposite side of Sydney Rd.
Sydney Central Station → Bathurst Railway Station
💡 Book online at transportnsw.info to secure the cheap 'Advance' fare. The Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn is a 10-min walk or short cab from the station; head south past the roundabout.
Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn → Bathurst CBD (Kings Parade)
💡 The motel is a 20-min walk to cafés on George St — skip the taxi during daylight. If you need a cab after 11pm, pre-book with 30-min notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Request a room at the rear of the hotel, closest to the exterior walkway, to minimize street noise from Stewart Street. Given the ground-floor layout with no stairs, rooms at the back of the hotel are likely to be quieter and have easier access to parking.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Avoid rooms at the front of the hotel, especially those near the main entrance, as they may be noisier due to foot traffic and potential disruptions from the car park.
Is Ben Chifley Motor Inn noisy?
Guests may be disturbed by street noise from Stewart Street, which can be a busy thoroughfare. Additionally, the free on-site parking is directly outside room doors, which may generate some noise from vehicle activity.
Which rooms have the best views at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Unfortunately, with the hotel's address on Stewart Street, there are no notable views to request. The hotel's location is in a residential area, and the surroundings are not particularly scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Take advantage of the free on-site parking, which is convenient for guests with mobility issues or those who prefer not to use the public car park. Consider requesting a room closer to the exterior walkway if you have mobility issues, as it provides easy access to the car park and reception without requiring stairs.
What time is check-in at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Check-in at Ben Chifley Motor Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ben Chifley Motor Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 12 Mbps) for all guests; no login constraints. No premium tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
A meat pie or sausage roll from a bakery or service station: around $6–$8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ben Chifley Motor Inn?
Walk the compact town centre; for longer trips, a taxi from the airport costs about $15–$20 (no public bus from airport). A car is the most practical option for exploring the region.
When is the best time to visit Bathurst?
March and April for mild autumn days and clear skies, plus November for spring warmth before summer heat sets in.
Top Attractions in Bathurst
💡 Bring bread for the ducks but avoid the huge eels in the pond — they're harmless but startling. The public toilets near the Russell Street entrance are the cleanest in town.
💡 Check their website for free floor talks with curators on Saturday afternoons. The gallery shop sells affordable prints by regional artists.
💡 Pop in on a weekday morning around 10am when the court registrar often gives a brief free tour if they're not busy. Avoid during lunch sessions (1-2pm).
💡 Drive to the top at sunset for best light and minimal traffic. On non-race days, you can walk or cycle the full 6.2km circuit for free — just keep left for safety.
💡 Entry is $12 adults but free for under-16s. Go on the first Tuesday of the month for half-price admission. Allow 45 minutes max.