The Rose Hotel & Motel on Wellington Street in Bunbury, Western Australia, has been serving locals and travellers since 1865, surviving gold rushes, ownership changes and a 2016 renovation. This guide brings together government heritage records, guest reviews from multiple platforms and current operating details so you can decide if this historic pub-motel suits your stay.
Last checked: 2026-05-29
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Property name: Rose Hotel & Motel ·
Location: Bunbury, Western Australia ·
Year built / renovated: Opened 1865; renovated 2016 ·
Heritage status: Heritage-listed hotel and bottle shop ·
Accommodation type: Motel rooms above a pub ·
Dining: Family-friendly restaurant with kids play area
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-29.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Booking.com listing, Tripadvisor reviews, Expedia listing, KAYAK listing, Hotels.com listing, State Heritage Office of Western Australia inventory records, Wikipedia, Streets of Bunbury historical blog.
We did not conduct an on-site visit or interview staff. Menu details are drawn from public listings and the venue’s site, not a current PDF. Prices are not independently verified beyond public platforms.
Rose Hotel & Motel at a glance
Location
- 27 Wellington Street, Bunbury, WA (Rose Hotel official site)
Year opened
- 1865 – hotel built for Samuel Rose (State Heritage Office)
Heritage status
- State heritage-listed hotel and bottle shop (State Heritage Office)
Last renovation
- 2016 – refreshed while retaining heritage character (Rose Hotel about page)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Property name | Rose Hotel & Motel |
| Location | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Year built / renovated | Opened 1865; renovated 2016 |
| Heritage status | Heritage-listed hotel and bottle shop |
| Accommodation type | Motel rooms above a pub |
| Dining | Family-friendly restaurant with kids play area |
| Bottle shop | Heritage-listed bottle shop on site |
Rose Hotel Bunbury Menu
The Rose Hotel’s kitchen serves modern pub grub with a family focus. The official site describes the restaurant as offering “modern pub grub” alongside a casual front bar and a function ballroom. Nightly specials are advertised on the venue’s homepage, and a kids menu is paired with an indoor play area that members frequently mention in reviews.
Pub classics and new ideas
Standard pub fare – steaks, burgers, parmigiana, seafood – sits alongside what the venue calls “new ideas.” The menu is not posted as a PDF on the current site, but the “big menu” line suggests variety. According to the official homepage, all-day dining runs from 11am to 9pm daily.
Kids menu and play area
The family-friendly tag is backed by a dedicated kids menu and a children’s play area. Tripadvisor reviews note the play area as a draw for parents. The combination of affordable pub food and supervised play makes the venue a practical stop for road-tripping families.
Nightly specials
The Rose Hotel homepage advertises nightly specials, though the specific rotation isn’t listed. For current deals, checking the venue’s Facebook page or calling ahead is recommended.
Tip: If you’re after the latest menu or daily specials, the venue’s Facebook page tends to be updated more frequently than the main website.
What this means: The Rose Hotel’s dining is straightforward, family-oriented pub food with a few modern twists. The presence of a kids’ play area sets it apart from many historic pubs.
Who Owns the Rose Hotel Bunbury
The official about page states that the venue “changed hands in late 2015 for the first time in nearly 50 years.” The current operator’s business name is not publicly named in the supplied sources, and no corporate registration details appear in the top search results. For ownership specifics, consulting the Western Australian business register or contacting the venue directly would be necessary.
The bottom line: Ownership details are not publicly advertised beyond the 2015 change; the venue itself is the primary source for current operator information.
Rose Hotel Bunbury History
The Rose Hotel’s story begins in 1865, when Samuel Rose applied for a hotel licence in Bunbury. According to the State Heritage Office inventory, the application was refused because the town already had enough hotels. Despite that, the hotel was built that same year.
“Serving customers since 1865, the state-heritage-listed Rose Hotel has an important and dignified past.”
— Rose Hotel official about page
A later construction phase in 1897 expanded the hotel and sample room complex, reflecting the gold boom economy. The bottle shop and sample room, constructed from 1895, are separately heritage-listed. The State Heritage Office notes that the sample room is “one of the few extant examples in Western Australia of a detached sample room dating from around 1900.” In 1901, the Rose Hotel was described as “one of the favourite watering places in Western Australia.” The property remained under the Rose family trust for nearly a century until it changed hands in late 2015. A full renovation followed in 2016, refreshing the interiors and amenities while keeping the heritage fabric intact.
“The place contributes to the city’s townscape, in particular to the intersection of Victoria and Wellington streets.”
— State Heritage Office heritage text
The pattern: The Rose Hotel’s history is layered – 1865 founding, 1890s gold-boom expansion, a 2015 change of ownership and a 2016 renovation. The heritage significance is concentrated in the hotel building and bottle shop, not the later motel wing.
Rose Hotel Bunbury Reviews
Across Booking.com, Tripadvisor and KAYAK, reviewers consistently highlight the central location, free parking and friendly staff. Booking.com shows 950 verified reviews (as of mid-2025) with one guest noting “location, parking, and quietness” as strong points. Tripadvisor reviews describe the rooms as “adequate, clean, comfortable, spacious, and warm” – positive but not luxury-oriented. KAYAK’s summary says guests often praise the hotel’s location and staff friendliness. Hotels.com similarly reports that guests describe the staff as friendly and the amenities as good.
One common complaint across platforms is the lack of after-hours check-in. Expedia explicitly states: “The front desk is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and there is no after-hours check-in.” This is a practical constraint for late arrivals.
Note: The motel accommodation is rated as “of little heritage significance” by the State Heritage Office, which helps temper expectations for guests seeking period charm in rooms.
Why this matters: The Rose Hotel earns consistent 3.5–4.0/5 ratings for its location, staff and parking, but the accommodation is functional rather than luxurious. Book early arrivals or plan for daytime check-in. For a comprehensive overview of its history and current offerings, consult our Rose Hotel Bunbury guide.
Rose Hotel Bunbury Photos
The official website and Facebook page carry most of the publicly available imagery. Exterior photos show the distinctive two- to three-storeyed brick-and-iron hotel with decorative cast-iron verandahs – a feature the heritage office says has “aesthetic and technical significance.” Interior shots highlight the casual front bar, restaurant dining area and the heritage bottle shop. For a visual tour, browse the venue’s Facebook album or the image gallery on rosehotel.com.au.
What to watch: The cast-iron verandah and the detached sample room are the most photogenic heritage elements. Motel rooms appear modern and straightforward.
Rose Hotel Bunbury Bottle Shop
The bottle shop is a heritage-listed building in its own right, constructed from 1895. Today it operates as Liquor Barons Bunbury. Opening hours, per the official homepage, are Monday 10am–8pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10am–9pm, and public holidays 10am–8pm (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday). The bottle shop is a drive-through, a convenience noted in several reviews.
The implication: The bottle shop is not just an amenity but a heritage asset, separately listed and historically significant as a surviving example of a detached sample room.
Rose Hotel Bunbury Specials
Nightly specials are advertised on the Rose Hotel’s homepage, though the exact rotation and prices are not published online in the supplied sources. The venue’s “big menu” and “new ideas” tagline suggest a regularly updated offering. For current specials, the best bet is to check the Facebook page or call the hotel.
The bottom line: Nightly specials exist but lack published details; direct inquiry is needed.
Specifications at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Property name | Rose Hotel & Motel |
| Address | 27 Wellington Street, Bunbury, WA |
| Year built | 1865 (hotel); 1897 (later phase) |
| Year renovated | 2016 |
| Heritage listing | State heritage-listed hotel and bottle shop |
| Accommodation | Motel rooms above pub (not heritage-protected) |
| Dining hours | All-day dining 11am–9pm daily |
| Bar hours | 11am until late, seven days |
| Bottle shop hours | Mon 10am–8pm, Tue–Sun 10am–9pm, public hols 10am–8pm |
| Parking | Free self-parking on site |
| Wi‑Fi | Free in-room Wi‑Fi |
| Check-in | Front desk: Mon–Sat 8am–7pm; no after-hours check-in |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Central Bunbury location – 0.3 miles from the city centre (per KAYAK)
- Free on-site parking – consistently mentioned in reviews
- Family-friendly with kids play area and kids menu
- Heritage character – cast-iron verandah, historic sample room
- Multiple dining options – front bar, restaurant, bottle shop
- Free Wi‑Fi and luggage storage
Cons
- Motel rooms are not heritage-padded and may feel basic (Tripadvisor: “adequate, clean, comfortable”)
- No after-hours check-in – must arrive during desk hours (8am–7pm Mon–Sat)
- Current ownership/operator not publicly named, making direct booking less transparent
- No full menu PDF online – current specials require a phone call or social media check
Heads up: If you’re arriving after 7pm on a weekday or anytime on Sunday (desk closed), you’ll need to arrange check-in in advance. Expedia explicitly warns there is no after-hours check-in.
Best for segments
- Families with children: Kids menu, indoor play area, central location near Bunbury attractions.
- Couples seeking heritage character: The historic pub and sample room offer atmosphere, though rooms are motel-style.
- Solo travellers on a road trip: Easy parking, pub downstairs for a meal, and a bottle shop for supplies.
- History enthusiasts: The 1865 origins, gold-boom expansion, and rare detached sample room are worth a look.
Pricing band
Room rates vary by season and platform. On Booking.com and Expedia, standard motel rooms typically fall in the mid-range for Bunbury – neither budget hostel nor luxury. No specific prices appear in the supplied research; checking current rates on either platform is the most reliable way to get a live quote. The bottle shop offers competitive liquor prices, though no list is provided.
Location and getting there
The Rose Hotel & Motel stands at the corner of Wellington Street and Victoria Street, in the heart of Bunbury’s central business district. According to KAYAK, it is about 0.3 miles from the city centre, putting the Bunbury foreshore, cafes and the Dolphin Discovery Centre within a short walk or drive.
Free self-parking is available on site, a significant plus in a town where street parking can be limited. For those arriving from Perth (about 175 km north), the drive takes roughly two hours via the South Western Highway.
Alternatives in set
If the Rose Hotel doesn’t quite fit, consider two other heritage pub-accommodation properties in Australia:
- Royal Hotel Sutherland – a historic hotel in New South Wales with pub accommodation and dining.
- Albion Hotel Normanton: History, Rooms, Menu & Reviews – a gold-rush-era hotel in Queensland with rooms, bar and restaurant.
Our pick
Our recommendation
For families and budget-conscious road trippers: The Rose Hotel & Motel offers solid value with free parking, a central location and a kids’ play area that saves parents from dining stress. Heritage lovers will appreciate the historic pub atmosphere, though they should book the hotel building (not the motel wing) to maximise character. Solo travellers and couples passing through Bunbury will find the combination of pub dining, bottle shop and free Wi‑Fi convenient for an overnight stop.
If heritage accommodation is your priority, consider the Albion Hotel in Normanton for a more fully period-padded stay. For a straightforward, family-friendly overnight near Bunbury’s centre, the Rose Hotel is a reliable choice.
Timeline
- 1865 – Samuel Rose builds the Rose Hotel after his initial licence application is refused due to too many hotels in Bunbury. (State Heritage Office)
- 1888 – Emma Rose maintains an interest in running the hotel under the family trust. (Streets of Bunbury)
- 1895 – The bottle shop and sample room are constructed. (State Heritage Office)
- 1897 – Later construction phase adds to the hotel and sample room complex. (State Heritage Office)
- 1901 – The hotel is described as “one of the favourite watering places in Western Australia.” (State Heritage Office)
- Late 2015 – The venue changes hands for the first time in nearly 50 years. (Rose Hotel about page)
- 2016 – Full renovation refreshes interiors while retaining heritage character. (Rose Hotel about page)
expedia.com, en.wikipedia.org, tripadvisor.com, streetsofbunbury.com, kayak.com, findmeglutenfree.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Rose Hotel Bunbury located?
At 27 Wellington Street, corner of Victoria Street, Bunbury, Western Australia. It’s about 0.3 miles from the city centre.
Does the Rose Hotel Bunbury have accommodation?
Yes – motel rooms above the pub. The accommodation is not heritage-protected, but it includes free Wi‑Fi, free parking and luggage storage.
What type of food is served at the Rose Hotel Bunbury?
Modern pub grub – steaks, burgers, parmigiana, seafood plus nightly specials and a kids menu. All-day dining runs from 11am to 9pm.
Is the Rose Hotel Bunbury family-friendly?
Yes – the restaurant has a kids menu and a children’s play area. It is frequently recommended by families on Tripadvisor.
What are the opening hours of the bottle shop?
Liquor Barons Bunbury (on site) is open Monday 10am–8pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10am–9pm, and public holidays 10am–8pm. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.
How can I view the Rose Hotel Bunbury menu online?
The menu is not available as a PDF on the current website, but the venue describes its offerings on the homepage. For the latest menu, check the Rose Hotel’s Facebook page or call them.
Is parking available at the Rose Hotel Bunbury?
Yes – free self-parking is available on site. Multiple review platforms (Booking.com, KAYAK, Hotels.com) mention it as a valued amenity.
What is the history of the Rose Hotel Bunbury building?
The hotel was built in 1865 for Samuel Rose, expanded in 1897, and the bottle shop/sample room date from 1895. It is state heritage-listed and considered a notable example of a gold boom hotel.