Explore

Heritage Pubs

BY PETREA MCCARTHY

Thoughtful restoration and adaptive repurposing are bringing new life to historic hotel buildings in regional New South Wales, as three shining examples from Moree, Tenterfield and Tarcutta so ably demonstrate.

Finding great country pubs is one of the pleasures of an Aussie road trip. Whether you stay the night or just want a cold beer and a good feed, your support helps to keep these historic places alive. Throw into the mix renovations that combine heritage features with contemporary accommodation standards, chefs showcasing regional produce and oldfashioned hospitality, and it’s hard for twenty-first century travellers not to be tempted.

Tradition with a twist in the south-west A tiny town halfway between Sydney and Melbourne has recently gained a community asset. Emma and Brendon Reynolds took over the Tarcutta Hotel in January with the aim of bringing the community together. A great-great niece of explorer Hamilton Hume, Emma hails from Dubbo. “The hotel was closed for 15 months after the area suffered drought, bushfires, a mouse plague, COVID-19 and flooding,” she says. “We took a chance on it.”

The couple opened the bar and accommodation in early March, followed closely by the dining area. The kitchen’s reputation is growing, with diners travelling up to 100 kilometres for its locally-sourced fare. The upstairs accommodation was refurbished in a style complementary to its era, featuring appropriate colours and decor, with a modern fresh country twist. Bathroom facilities are shared, which surprises some guests. “We are doing our best to manage expectations about accommodation in a true 1940s pub,” Emma says.

The Reynolds also encourage guests to connect and rediscover the old-fashioned art of conversation. “We want people to drop in, relax, put the phone away and talk. Everyone has a story,” Emma says. With young children of their own they also aim to make the pub family friendly, so there’s a kid’s room to allow parents some child-free space.

The Hume Highway now bypasses Tarcutta, making it a quieter and more attractive stopover, so grab a hotel room or camp for free behind the pub. Enjoy a cold one and a meal while supporting a small town’s recovery.

Art deco luxury in New England Another socially conscious pub is the Commercial Boutique Hotel in Tenterfield. After burning down twice, it was rebuilt in 1941 and traded until 2006. The hotel reopened eight years later, transformed by an extensive renovation designed to make the most of its art deco features.

The signature exterior of local red brick displays the symmetry and simplicity associated with the style. Inside, colours are sympathetic to the period. During the renovation many original features were highlighted: mirrors in the upstairs hallway

brighten the space without interfering with the silky oak architraves, and the hardwood floors have been polished. The lounge area’s decorative ceiling cornice is intact and the old fireplaces were re-discovered under tacky 1970s versions. Some of the original plans and other period memorabilia are displayed in the foyer and bar.

Upstairs, eighteen original bedrooms have become seven luxurious rooms with ensuites, while the old staff quarters downstairs is now a wheelchair accessible room that is also pet friendly. In the restaurant on the ground floor a French-trained chef prepares contemporary seasonal fare as well as more casual dining options. Craft and mainstream beers are on tap and there is an extensive list of locallysourced wines.

In a bold move, the present owners have rejected the easy profits of gambling facilities. This is a challenging business model, but they prefer their historic venue to have a positive social impact and a progressive outlook.

Reimagining heritage in the North West The Imperial Hotel in Moree is in the centre of town, at the intersection of Heber and Balo streets. Built in 1929 by brewers Tooth & Co after the previous weatherboard building burnt down, the brick and tile hotel retains its Edwardian style while offering guests a very different experience.

Today the ground floor houses a variety of businesses, where patrons once stood at the front bar. Upstairs, however, the accommodation section has been fully renovated in the original style to cater for seasonal workers and visitors. The balustrade, gable vents, parapet and rafters are all still in place.

Owner Paul Shiels opted to offer rooms only. There has been a revival in country areas due to new industries, mining, agriculture and infrastructure work and he saw the need for quality short-term accommodation. He points out how country towns have changed: “They used to have three or four hotels, but many of these towns now have only one or two trading, and the others have found alternative uses. Most of them, even if they’re closed, tend not to be demolished. Many are heritage listed, or have heritage orders on them, so they can’t be knocked down. They just get repurposed, although some do just remain empty, which is a shame.”

These three hotels are only a small sample of the many options for travellers within NSW. In a time of challenging travel a road trip could be rewarding, enjoyable and so much less hassle than air travel. So grab the car keys and go.

“We want people to drop in, relax, put the phone away and talk. Everyone has a story”

Above The Imperial Hotel at Moree (photo courtesy of Paul Shiels).

Opposite from left The Tarcutta Hotel (photo courtesy of Emma Reynolds); the Commercial Boutique Hotel (photo courtesy of the Commercial Boutique Hotel).