Ahhh the Outback Pub. Effortlessly oozing charisma and charm from every nook and cranny of its bones…..is there anything more iconic?
Quilpie Shire is lucky to have a collection of interesting and charismatic Pubs, each with its own unique history and stories to tell.
The South Western Hotel, Toompine
Toompine – the pub with no town (your intrigued already…we can tell!)
The South Western Hotel in Toompine, or simply known to locals as the ‘Toompine Pub’ was built way back in 1893 (we used the calculator – that’s 127 years old). It was built using Cyprus pine and ripple iron after the original hotel was believed to have burnt down in 1891.
The pub did a great trade in the early years due to the Duck Creek and Coparella opal fields and the town of Toompine was once a thriving metropolis itself.
Unlike other Pub’s of its age the Toompine Pub has managed to remain operational despite the actual town of Toompine essentially dwindling away.
During its illustrious career as a top notch Outback watering hole the South Western Hotel has also served as a Cobb & Co. Staging post and even the local post office.
Just this year the Pub has changed hands and is now owned and run by long-time local residents of the Toompine area. Pop in for a beer or two and meet a few of the local characters or even enjoy a great meal available day & night. Accommodation available in the attached Toompine Terraces.
For more information on Toompine visit: www.visitquilpieshire.com or https://www.facebook.com/toompine.pun.9
The Royal Hotel, Eromanga
Oh and how royal it would have been way back in 1885 when it was built! So much so that in the early days they even employed a full time pianist.
Once boasting 4 hotels, The Royal is the last standing Hotel in Eromanga. This grand 135 year old outback icon was purchased back in 1980 and is still owned by Eromanga locals John & Georgie Walker (now run by their son). Now that’s pretty impressive to be in the same family for 40 years.
Like the Toompine Pub this grand old Hotel also operated as a Cobb. & Co. staging post and they opened the first postal receiving office in 1892.
Eromanga itself has the claim to fame of being the furthest town from the sea in Australia and we are guessing by association that the Royal would have to be the furthest PUB from the sea…..and well that just makes it all the more unique!
If you’re planning a trip to the Royal Hotel then make sure you head out on a Saturday for the weekly community BBQ, raising money for local community groups and charities. Even stay the night in the accommodation out the back. Who knows, you may even run in to John and Georgie…
For more information on the Royal Hotel visit: www.visitquilpieshire.com or https://www.facebook.com/royalhoteleromanga/
Adavale Pub & General Store, Adavale
Not many people know this but before Quilpie popped up on the map (so to speak), Adavale was actually the hub of the area and a bustling Outback town in its own right. So bustling in fact that over its long life (Adavale is almost 150 years old), it has been home to 7 hotels and pubs.
When Adavale’s previous hotels had been destroyed by fire, flood or closed due to the dwindling population, the then general store obtained a liquor license and this building is still the Adavale Pub & General Store that operates today.
As far as quirky pubs go, this one ticks a few boxes. Check out Australia’s largest bullock horns, the giant yellow beer can or even ask about the Adavale Surf Club if you don’t believe us!
Pop in and see Koss next time you’re in Adavale. Not only is he Adavale’s Publican (who can answer all the questions you have about the Adavale Surf Club….) but he is also a keen Adavale history buff, story teller and in some cases, tour guide.
For more information on the Adavale Pub & General Store visit: www.visitquilpieshire.com or http://adavalestore.com.au/
The Imperial Hotel Motel, Quilpie
The Imperial Hotel Motel in Quilpie is the baby of the Quilpie Shire pubs. The original Imperial hotel was built in 1925 and was a grand old 2 storey building – the first in Quilpie in fact. It was also the first building in Quilpie to have electricity as it had a generator.
Sadly in January 1992 a large part of Quilpie’s history was lost when the Imperial burnt down. But in true Outback style the town wasn’t without its beloved watering hole for too long as it was rebuilt by August that same year as the one-story brick building it is today.
Stay a few days out the back and meet a few of the local characters out the front. This little oasis is a great place to stop in for a cold beverage, lunch, dinner or even an early breakfast and frappe (pretty Sydney for an outback pub).
First Tuesday of September in front of the Imperial the main street comes alive with the Imperial Hotel’s Kangaranga Do Street Party.
For more information visit: www.visitquilpieshire.com or https://www.facebook.com/Quilpie-Pub-169674143079064/
The Heritage Inn, Quilpie
This grand 2 story building is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Quilpie and boy if it could talk couldn’t it tell some stories!
The original hotel, known as the Quilpie Hotel was built way back in 1920. It was a wood and iron structure with a bar, 16 bedrooms, 2 parlours and 2 dining rooms and as was discovered in 1926, it was not fire proof.
When the hotel was rebuilt it was built with 2 storeys and from brick and concrete (a little harder to burn down). It was Quilpie’s first building to be built from anything other than wood. It became known as “the Brick” Hotel (aren’t we an imaginative bunch).
The Brick Hotel closed as a pub in the early 1990’s, shortly after the Imperial was rebuilt. Today it has been renovated in the style of the 1920’s and is an accommodation house known as the “Heritage Inn”.
A great place to have a quiet relaxing drink, absorb the history, enjoy an outback sunset from the veranda and even enjoy some live music from owner Paul on occasion.
For more information visit: www.visitquilpieshire.com or https://www.facebook.com/quilpieheritageinn/
So I bet you’re already mapping out you next pub crawl through outback Queensland aren’t you…..and lets face it….who doesn’t have a soft spot for an Outback Pub.
