The Nicholson Hotel sits on the bank of the Nicholson River in small-town Victoria, offering country-style accommodation and a bistro that blends Australian pub classics with Chinese-inspired dishes. This review draws on verified details from the hotel’s official website, Tripadvisor reviews, and local directory listings to help you decide if it fits your Gippsland Lakes itinerary.

Last checked: 2026-09-15

Property name: The Nicholson Hotel Motel Bistro · Location: 929 Princes Hwy, Nicholson, VIC 3882, Australia · Phone: +61 3 5156 8250 · Opening hours: opens 7am for coffee and breakfast

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-09-15.

Sources reviewed: official property website, Tripadvisor reviews, Google Business profile, local business directory, social media page.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification was conducted.

Fast facts about the Nicholson Hotel

1

Address

2

Contact

3

Positioning

  • The hotel promotes itself as offering “country hospitality at country prices” (Official site)
4

Location

  • Located on the bank of the Nicholson River, close to the Gippsland Lakes (Official site)

The hotel’s own website emphasises “country hospitality at country prices,” a phrase that signals both the style of service and the expected price level (Official site).

The property includes both motel-style accommodation and an on-site bistro known locally as The Nicholson Bistro (Tripadvisor listing). Tripadvisor reviews describe it as a country pub–style restaurant, which matches the hotel’s own branding.

Note: The hotel’s bistro page includes a disclaimer that menu items and prices may change — always call ahead to confirm current offerings.

The Nicholson Bistro advertises a mix of Australian pub classics and Chinese-style dishes. The Chinese section is unusual for a small Victorian country pub and may reflect the kitchen’s history or local demand.

What needs verifying

Specific menu items and prices at The Nicholson Bistro are not fully detailed on the official landing page. A local business directory (Localsearch) may list sample dishes, but exact current prices should be confirmed directly with the venue before relying on them for planning.

For comparison, other regional Victorian pubs — such as the Hotel Nicholas — list chicken schnitzel around $27 and chicken parma variants in the low-to-mid $30s range. The Nelson Hotel Victoria shows a 300 g porterhouse at $48 and fish and chips at $30.

“The Nicholson Hotel promotes itself as offering country hospitality at country prices.”

— Official website, thenicholsonhotel.com

Takeaway meals are also available — the hotel’s bistro page directs guests to phone 5156 8250 to order (Bistro page).

At Hotel Nicholas (Victoria), a Black Angus porterhouse steak costs about $42 and a Kookaburra‑sauce variant $46 (Hotel Nicholas menu). At the Nelson Hotel Victoria, a 300 g porterhouse with sides runs $48, and a schnitzel with chips is $32 (Nelson Hotel menu).

A separate comparison point: the UK‑based Nicholson’s pub chain (unrelated to the Australian hotel) lists main dishes from roughly £11.50 to £21.00. At The Victoria Comet, a Nicholson’s‑branded pub in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, main courses include fish and chips at £14.75 and a breakfast at £11.50 (Pubs Newcastle).

The hotel sits on the bank of the Nicholson River, and the official site notes its proximity to the Gippsland Lakes (Official site).

Just a minute’s drive west on the same highway, the Nicholson River Holiday Park offers an alternative accommodation option nearby.

The hotel itself was listed for sale on Seek Business as a commercial freehold (Seek Business listing), but that listing does not include current operational details or pricing.

Pros

  • On‑site bistro with a wide menu including Australian and Chinese dishes
  • Riverside location near the Gippsland Lakes
  • Takeaway meal option available

Cons

  • Exact menu prices not fully published on the official landing page
  • No independent price verification conducted for this review
  • Property was listed for sale, which may indicate future ownership changes

Our recommendation: The Nicholson Hotel is best suited for budget-conscious travellers on a road trip through the Gippsland region, families who want a meal on‑site without driving elsewhere after a long day, and regional explorers using the hotel as a base for day trips to the Gippsland Lakes.

Additional sources

thenicholsonhotel.com

Frequently asked questions

What type of food does the Nicholson Hotel bistro serve?

The on‑site restaurant is called The Nicholson Bistro and serves Australian pub classics alongside Chinese‑style dishes. It also offers takeaway (Official bistro page). Exact menu items and current prices should be confirmed by calling ahead.

How do I contact the Nicholson Hotel?

The confirmed phone number is +61 3 5156 8666 (Publocation; also on Tripadvisor). For takeaway orders, the bistro page lists a separate phone number — call the main line and ask for the bistro.

What is the exact address of the Nicholson Hotel?

929 Princes Highway, Nicholson, Victoria 3882, Australia (multiple sources including the official site).