One of the most isolated pubs in Australia is set to re-open its doors within weeks, although it won’t be serving beer … yet!
Back in January, Robert ‘Robbo’ Haken, bought the 97-year-old Betoota Hotel between Birdsville and Windorah in remote Queensland and dreamed of returning it to its former glory.
Commercial Real Estate reports that the pub, famed for being in a town with a population of one – the publican – is a real outback landmark but fell into disrepair and disuse after the last eccentric owner, Polish migrant Simon ‘Ziggy’ Remienko, fell ill, closed up, moved away and later died.
The pub has been closed for 21 years.
While many people inspected the premises in that time, no one was game to take on the challenge of trying to turn the only building on the entire 400-kilometre dirt road between its two neighbouring towns into a viable business … until Mr Haken opened his wallet.
The smash repair businessman from Logan in Queensland first fell in love with the pub when he visited 30 years ago, and decided it could be a great adventure to take it on.
The whole building has since been renovated and it will re-open its doors early, in July … but it will be at least another month for a new liquor licence is issued.
“We’ve done so much work there and put in so many changes,” Mr Haken told Commercial Real Estate. “But unfortunately our licence won’t come through in time for the re-opening, so we’re just telling people to BYO liquor and we’ll sell soft drinks, food, fuel, mementos and firewood.”
He expects the new liquor licence will come through by the end of July, well in time for the Betoota Races on August 25, and then the Birdsville Races in September.
“Everything will be working by then, and the showers functioning too with plenty of room for camping,” said Mr Haken. “We had to bring every nut, bolt and screw and plank of wood with us to the site … there was absolutely nothing there.”
Mr Haken plans to spend every winter in Betoota offering fuel, vehicle and caravan repairs, beds for tourists – particularly for grey nomads – food and a breakdown service.
“We can’t wait to open the doors and put Betoota back on the map again,” he said.
Fantastic news. Hope to get there in the near future
Thats really good news. Love that part of Aussie. Real Australia out there….Great one Robbo…
See ya out there mate…!
Count us in …can’t wait !!!!
We just camped at Betoota a couple of weeks ago in the ‘Environmental Park’ around the corner. Great spot. Best of luck to the new owner! It will be fab to have the hotel/pub operational again. Open for tucker and a coldie… bring it on!
Has the Betoota Pub opened yet complete
With licence we are coming through in a
Couple of weeks Cheers Wellsy
Trying to plan a trip for 2019. Innamincka, Daimantina, Lark Quarry Winton is stretching the fuel range for some of our vehicles. Hope every thing goes well for the business.
Will Fuel be available in May 2019