Marysville: The Tower Motel (sleeps up to 4)

The bushfires in February 2009 devastated Marysville leaving only 30 houses and three businesses, including the Tower Motel. Five years on, the town is growing again and is more than ready for tourists.

I was surprised that on the day before the Anzac Day long weekend I was able to book in at the Tower Motel. I expected it would be full weeks before. But as it turned out there was plenty of room - and good rooms too.

The Tower is in the main street and opposite a major hotel and conference centre which is being built by the Vibe group on the site of the Cumberland guest house. The Tower has 16 rooms and is being renovated.

At the time of writing, a family room - sleeps 4 - one on a folding bed)cost $165/night which is very reasonable.(Note: ski season surcharges do apply).

Only an hour from Melbourne's eastern suburbs, Marysville has a great kids playground, coffee shops, bakery and patisserie, fudge shop, Bruno's wonderful sculpture garden, a farmers market on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, antique/collectable shop and more!

In winter there's snowplay, toboganing and cross country skiing at nearby Lake Mountain. On the evening food front,the in-town options are limited to the pizza shop and a chicken shop, however the Narbethong and Buxton hotels run buses from Marysville.

Kids comments: The bushfire museum, lolly shop and Bruno's sculpture garden were great! Duncan 12