Budget breakers – a great opportunity to discover WA with bargain accommodation

The view from API's Kalbarri units.

We’ve all heard the complaints from people travelling out yonder that accommodation prices in WA are too expensive in comparison to a Bali break in pre-Covid days.

Rottnest Island, Cable Beach, Karijini Eco-Retreat, El Questro, all very lovely, but punters complain they can’t afford to shell out hundreds per night for a room.

But those with an eye for a bargain should take a look at what was the equivalent of the old post office social club and is now the revamped API My Reward Club.

It’s been around for nearly 100 years and boasts ocean-side holiday apartments which it owns and operates at Kalbarri, Preston Point, Busselton and Albany. 

These are clean and tidy, well-equipped, modern apartments – with prices starting at $99 per night for members – and that’s per apartment, not per person.

Anybody can join the club for $99 plus GST each year. As well as holiday accommodation, it offers a host of discounts on everything from electrical goods to groceries.

Non-members are welcome to book apartments, although rates are slightly higher.

API CEO, Linda Ross, said long term investments made by the organisation meant its operating costs were low and its not-for-profit status meant that all proceeds go straight back to benefit members.

“While its inexpensive to rent our units that doesn’t mean they are run-down or second-rate,” she says.

“The units are maintained meticulously by local caretakers and feature modern appliances and fittings.

“They make for great family accommodation.”

All of API’s holiday units have private bathrooms, modern toilets, laundry facilities including washing machine and dryer, digital televisions, reverse cycle air-conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen and a gas barbecue. Porta cots and highchairs are available free if required for small children.

All units are self-contained with crockery, glasses, pots and pans, cutlery and bed linen and towels so guests need bring only themselves and their beach towel.

At Kalbarri, API has eight, self-contained, two-bedroom, beach front apartments; at Busselton, it has five fully self-contained three-bedroom units; at Preston Beach, two fully self-contained three-bedroom units and at Middleton Beach in Albany, six, two bed, one-bathroom units.

For more information visit www.apiwa.com.au/.