fancy a cold one?

COMMANDING ONE OF THE SOUTH COAST'S PRIME WATERFRONT POSITIONS, THE OCEAN BEACH HOTEL HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF SHELLHARBOUR FOR OVER 90 YEARS

Words Lauren Pomphrey Sources Lost Wollongong, Shellharbour City Museum, Visit NSW Image P09722 Ocean Beach Hotel at Shellharbour, 1959 from Wollongong City Libraries

With its huge outdoor deck and idyllic water views, Shellharbour's Ocean Beach Hotel is never short of visitors. But over the years, for the local community, the hotel has been more than just a nice spot for lunch. The history of the Ocean Beach Hotel began in the 1920s, when Henrietta Bush, a nurse and hotelier from Sydney, saw an opportunity to pioneer the tourist trade in Shellharbour. Built in 1929 for 8500 pounds, the hotel could accommodate up to 60 guests, with luxurious marble bathrooms and a grand dining room opening to a tiled verandah.

In 1930, the Kiama Independent reported the new hotel to be "an ornament to Shellharbour and the South Coast", putting the village on the map and introducing visitors to "one of the prettiest spots on the coast". With its harbourfront position, the Ocean Beach Hotel became a destination in its own right, serving afternoon tea with a side of sweeping views.

Over the years,Addison Street grew around the hotel, transforming from a rural village into a bustling strip of shops, restaurants and takeaways, with a growing stream of tourists in search of hot chips and a cool swim. But as everything changed, one thing in the village remained constant – the crowning jewel of the Ocean Beach Hotel.

Known locally as Shellharbour Pub or Shelly's Pub, the hotel became many things to many people as the decades passed. Once a favourite watering hole for men, the hotel was the centre of the community for everyone throughout the 60s and 70s. For some, it was all about the music; for others, a place to get respite from the sun and surf, fuelling up with a hearty feed and cold beer before heading out for another swim.

As the pub rock days continued into the 80s and 90s, many bands took to the pub's stage. From big names including UB40, Mental as Anything, Boom Crash Opera and Dragon, to popular local acts like SteamboatWillie, Mirage, Borderline and Chalkdust, the hotel made a name for itself as one of the Illawarra's best live music venues.

For most, those famous Sunday sessions are distant memories that are looked back on fondly (if not a little foggily). But for others, the pub was more than just a party. Many locals came and went from the Ocean Beach Hotel as patrons, owners, publicans, cooks and bar staff. Some grew up learning to pull pints as soon as they could reach the taps. Some forged lifelong friendships or met their future spouse. And others went on to introduce the next generation of family members – and the next after that – to the pub that felt like home.

Like much of the Illawarra, Shellharbour has been no stranger to change over the years. And with the latest development at Shell Cove bringing a multi-million-dollar marina to town, along with a clutch of modern bars and restaurants, the landscape is changing once again. But there's one view that remains steadfast. The view from the deck down past the old fig tree, to the bobbing boats on the harbour, protected from the big blue swell that lies beyond. Best enjoyed with a cold drink in hand.

I was there…

"Sunday lunch at the pub in the mid-70s. Surf in the morning. Bangers and mash for lunch for 60c. It didn't get any better." – Jurgen Treue

"Walk to the pub, prawns from across the road and a couple of cold ones to celebrate the start of our years as a family. Shellharbour has now been our hometown for 35 years." – Louise Sheppard

"I used to play [in a band] on Sunday afternoons in 1960. I was only 16 years of age, but the manager didn't ask any questions. I think he liked what we did!" – Ron Garbutt

"That pub was my social life for so many years… the laughs, so many laughs, and the music!" – Loretta Cuda

"Our family has over 100 years of history in Shellharbour. My dad back in the 1940s would gather gum leaves for the pub to make it smell nice." – Stephen Boyd James

"Every Sunday arvo you couldn't move for people. It was known to many as 'The Church'!" – Julie Nigro