Like many in the motel industry, Ben and Judy Wilke love welcoming people to the area and have set up their Highlander Haven Motel to be as comfortable as possible for guests. With an atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional English guest house, the unpretentious motel is something of a hidden gem.

While the actual bedrooms are not huge, it is the function area complete with commercial kitchen, dining room, bar and cosy lounge that sets the motel apart.

“If we have groups of two or three couples here, they might get takeaway and enjoy a meal in the dining room,” Ben said.

“In the colder months we will light the open fire in the sitting room and they can sit around and chat, and in summer they can spend time in the garden under the beautiful gum trees.”

Since taking over the motel six years ago, the Wilkes have steadily built a loyal clientele and are looking forward to increasing the function capacity of the motel.

“We were just starting to get quite a few functions before covid,” Judy said.

“People can hire the whole centre, which includes the kitchen, dining room and bar.

“We have had weddings here with over 90 guests and we had a Probus fund raiser and they arrived two days before the function to prepare and cook in the kitchen”

As travel restrictions ease, Ben and Judy have already seen an increase in visitors, and are hopeful this will bring new life to the town.

“Once events like dart tournaments, bike races and car shows are up and running again that will make a big difference to us and the town,” Ben said.