A few Outback pubs have been put up for sale in recent months, but now the most iconic of them all is officially on the market.
The Birdsville Hotel, which last changed hands in 1980, is looking for a new owner to continue the incredible legacy of the ‘bucket list’ destination. Built in 1884 and 1600 kilometres west of Brisbane on the edge of the Simpson Desert, the pub is basically a must-visit Big Lap destination for most grey nomads.
Birdsville Hotel manager Ben Fullagar told the Brisbane Courier-Mail that the owners had ‘done the hard yards’.
“They have done a huge amount of work over 38 years to build the brand and totally rebuild the entire premises and they feel it’s time for new blood to come in and become as passionate about outback tourism and Birdsville as what they have been,” he said. “They’ve pretty much ensured Birdsville is very much a bucket list place to visit and a big part of that is the pub.”
The pub will be offered for sale via an expression of interest campaign closing at the end of September.
The Courier-Mail reports that the pub was last officially on the market in 2007, but the owners reportedly said at the time that offers of up to $5 million were not enough to entice them to sell.
Offered for sale is the hotel and its 27 motel rooms, as well as the liquor licence, goodwill, intellectual property, business name, plant and equipment and stock in trade. There are also two detached residences, an industrial block and an aviation fuel supply business.
Real estate agent Guy Bennett said that what was on offer now was a ‘very different proposition’ to 2007.
“The owners have done an amazing job and what’s on offer will appeal to a very broad potential buyer pool,” he said.
The expressions of interest campaign is being managed by Knight Frank and Steele & Associates Hotel Brokers and is expected to attract international as well as local interest.
The Birdsville Hotel attracts thousands of visitors during school holidays and mild winter months, peaking at the Big Red Bash Music Festival and annual Birdsville Races in September.
We went to the camel races in Boullia in 2005 and decided to leave the van there and overnight to Birdsville. Went straight to the pub to be told they were booked out; tourist bus coming through. Lucky enough to get a cabin at the caravan park. Had a meal at the pub that night. Great tucker.
Brekky at the bakery. Tour through the working museum. Won’t forget our short stay. All the best to the new owners