Located on the banks of the Anglesea River along the Great Ocean Road, The Monty is a refurbishment of the old Anglesea Motor Inn. Originally built in the 1980s, the site has seen different iterations over its lifetime.

Working with the building’s intact bones and retaining the existing structure and spatial layout, the design introduces a new narrative rooted in mid-century nostalgia. 70s Palm Springs architecture played a big role in shaping the new visual language — a nod to the Kaufmann House and the style of that era. Bold colours, curved forms, breeze block detailing and expressive landscaping bring that spirit to the Surf Coast with confidence and a deliberate lightness of touch. The winding nature of the Great Ocean Road itself inspired several of the

curved architectural forms, a subtle connection to place that runs beneath the surface of the design.

The reception arrives first and makes an impression — richer terracottas, forest greens and burled timber creating a moodier, more dramatic atmosphere that sets the tone on arrival. The guest rooms, by contrast, are calm and considered; warm oranges, soft pinks and a checkerboard motif in velvet, chrome and textured finishes reinforce the retro aesthetic without overwhelming it. Collage artworks by Brunswick-based studio That Paper Joint introduce humour and local storytelling, grounding the design firmly in its coastal context.

The result is a place with a strong personality — somewhere that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and somewhere people remember long after they’ve left.