Back in the states- I was a research junkie. I would have all possible hostels, hotels, and motels located and know their pricing structure and availabilty. Australia does NOT lend itself to this kind of research. Most of the small towns and even in some of the big ones- many of the motels are not online. You won’t know about them until you reach your destination.
At first this completely stressed me out. However, I have learned to accept it. I travel a great deal for business and stay in hostels and motels all over NSW. I never have a reservation and generally only have a vague idea of how the towns are set up. Strangely enough, to my North American mind, this is perfectly fine.
Most of the little towns have one or two main streets and there is usually a tourist information center located right in the middle of town. If driving in- there are always signs pointing their way to the City and Information Centers. Generally only open 9-5, they are incredibly helpful. Kangaroos and other wildlife are major road hazards starting at dusk so I don’t really recommend driving late at night anyway.
So unless you are going during a festival- don’t worry if you show up in a town with out a reservation. If you are going to a major tourist area or during a festival- always try and contact the local tourist board to inquire about lodging options. Most Regions should have a tourism board online. Here are a few examples.
http://www.visitnsw.com.au/
www.upperhuntertourism.com.au
www.tenterfield.com
Yahoo Sydney Hotels
