Convict-built Berrima landmark complete with jail cells up for sale
A historic 1844 pub built by convict labour and still featuring old jail cells in the basement has been offered to market in the NSW Southern Highlands town of Berrima
Berrima Vault House at 1 Old Hume Highway was originally built as Taylor’s Crown Inn and still displays hints of its fascinating past.
“It’s historic – underneath the pub, there are three jail cells that the convicts used,” says Kieran Bourke of Burgess Rawson Sydney, which is handling the expressions-of-interest sale alongside CBRE Hotels and First National Bowral.
“It’s directly across the road from Berrima Gaol, and there’s a direct tunnel underneath the road. If the convicts arrived after the jail had closed, they’d be held overnight in the cells, and the guards would go up to the pub and get drunk. In the morning, they’d march the convicts back across.”
The sandstone landmark occupies a 1672-square-metre parcel within Berrima’s Georgian streetscape and offers historic charm with a turnkey investment underpinned by a five-year net lease to 2030 with an option to extend to 2035, providing a net Income of $200,000 a year plus GST.
In addition to the main pub, the venue also boasts a three-bedroom apartment, styled for premium short-stay accommodation, along with an events building and landscaped garden.
Today, these atmospheric spaces are booked for private dining, wine tastings, corporate meetings and special events, adding a premium experiential stream that few hospitality venues can replicate.
Over recent years, the property has benefitted from extensive renovations estimated at around $2 million, ensuring it retains its period integrity while catering to modern hospitality standards.
Located just over an hour from Sydney, Berrima is known for its intact colonial architecture, boutique shops and high-end dining. The village attracts a steady stream of visitors throughout the year, supported by its proximity to Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale – a regional corridor experiencing renewed attention from lifestyle-driven investors.
Given its rarity, Bourke expects the property to appeal to buyers seeking a long-term, legacy-style acquisition.
“It’s more of a trophy asset – someone who wants a piece of history. Things like this don’t come up very often,” he says.
While the campaign is only a week underway, Bourke says inquiry levels are already encouraging, with interest coming from both local and Sydney-based buyers.
“We’ve had about 15 enquiries so far, and our local agent is speaking with established local investors,” he says. “It’s early days, but it’s the kind of property people tend to move on quickly once they recognise its significance.”
Expressions of interest for 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima, close at 3pm AEDT on December 11.
