My husband and I stayed in motel #1 for 3 nights early in January 2012. The old Duke of Edinburgh Hotel displays a fine collection of historical photographs on the walls in the restaurant and bar. Obviously a grand building in its heyday, but showing its age. The motel units are clean but shabby, the bed was OK, good shower, basic kitchen utensils provided, microwave, kettle, and electric fry pan.

You can watch the digital satellite TV from in bed.

The tap water is vile, I wouldn’t recommend drinking it, a guy at the bar told us Porangahau has the hardest water in the country!

First night main course I treated myself to the *special*: whitebait fritter – a very disappointing overcooked omelet with a generous amount of (barely-thawed) cold, watery whitebait in the middle and a small colourful side salad. Not good value for $28.50. My husband chose a plate of fish & chips $12.00, it’s what they’re good at. Recommended.

The weather was great, the beach is fantastic. We drove our car 4-5 miles to the river mouth to fish the low tide. Car got stuck once and a kind couple with a 4WD pulled us back onto firm sand. We did OK after that. Didn’t catch any fish though – reckon we should go back for another go.

Would I stay at the Duke again? Yes, probably.
The beach is worth it.

Get your drinks at the bar; if you want to drink water we recommend you bring your own!