Bidding on 'quintessential country pub' in Queensland to start at $150,000
When a country pub in outback Queensland goes to auction next month, the opening bid will be just $150,000 – cheaper than the going price of some CBD car parks.
Set on an acre (0.4 hectares) in the small township of Mitchell, 570 kilometres west of Brisbane, the two-storey hotel with wraparound verandahs is being offloaded by its interstate owner, who has been unable to travel to Queensland since the start of the pandemic.
The building at 93-95 Cambridge Street formerly operated as the Western Hotel up until two years ago, turning over $8000 a week – solely from accommodation – in peak tourist season.
As the pandemic closed borders around the country, the Western Australia-based owner could not travel to Mitchell to oversee the running of the hotel. The business was subsequently wrapped up and the property has been operating in caretaker mode since.
The Western Hotel had previously been a popular destination for grey nomads and outback travellers en route to central, western or northern Queensland. Mitchell is known for its abundant natural springs and spas, with the Great Artesian Spa just minutes from the hotel.
The freehold property is being sold fully furnished, with a bar, lounge, kitchen, beer garden and 13 bedroom suites upstairs.
“From fridges to beer taps to cold rooms, it’s being sold on a walk-in, walk-out basis,” said listing agent Dax Roep of Harcourts Coastal Commercial.
“Someone can take it on and get it recommenced as a hotel, or as a pub with short-term accommodation. Or they could make it a backpackers.”
Set on two separate titles, the property could also be converted into one or two residences.
With timber floors, ornate ceilings, a central staircase, two fireplaces and stained glass windows, the substantial building would likely cost millions of dollars to replace, Mr Roep said.
Yet its starting price has been set at just $150,000.
“When something is hard to price, we think auction is the way to go,” Mr Roep said. “We’d expect interest over that. [The vendor] has put a lot of money into the property.”
The agents handling the sale say there are already interested prospective buyers with experience in rejuvenating country pubs.
But they hope the affordable entry point will pique the interest of a wider pool of interested parties, including those seeking a complete lifestyle change.
“You could certainly live there and run the property,” Mr Roep said. “People are looking to escape.”
The Cambridge Street property is scheduled to go to auction on Wednesday, February 23.
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