Historic Rudd’s Pub in Nobby, near Toowoomba, listed for $2.5m
Historic Rudd’s Pub, a much-loved country watering hole with deep literary ties to famed Australian author Steele Rudd, has been listed for sale with a price guide of $2.5 million.
The freehold hotel, offered via private treaty through All About Real Estate, is located at 10 Tooth Street, Nobby, a character-filled township in Queensland’s Darling Downs, about two hours west of Brisbane.
Set in the heart of a rich farming district, Nobby punches well above its weight as a regional destination.
The town is known for its beautifully preserved shopfronts and strong sense of heritage, including its connection to pioneering nurse Saint Elizabeth Kenny, who revolutionised the treatment of polio. A mural honouring Kenny features on an external wall of Rudd’s Pub, adjacent to a recently upgraded covered deck area.
The popular destination pub – recognised for eclectic interiors adorned with farming memorabilia and friendly hospitality – occupies a 2613-square-metre site with dual street frontage, just off the highway and midway between Toowoomba and Warwick, both a 35-minute drive away.
“It’s a one-pub town,” listing agent Kevin Perry says, adding that “all the staff live locally… so it’s employment for the town as well”.
Described as a cornerstone of the community for decades, the venue includes a bar, bistro, multiple dining areas, an events space, and on-site accommodation. It is licensed to operate four gaming machines.
Easily identifiable by its maroon tin roof emblazoned with the pub’s name, Rudd’s Pub enjoys a loyal customer base spanning car and motorcycle enthusiasts, families and tourists seeking an authentic country pub experience. The hotel is also popular with grey nomads, benefiting from its position directly opposite council-owned land now used as a camping and caravan park.
“It’s the place to be on weekends,” Perry says, adding: “It’s a place for car enthusiasts and motorbikers and the general, mums and dads.”
Current vendors Evan and Gayle Jones are looking to hand the reins to a new custodian after an enjoyable eight-year tenure, during which they have added to the many stories and memories woven into the pub’s walls.
Supported by a dedicated local team, the venue serves up to 1000 classic pub meals a week, runs through 10 beer kegs weekly, and continues to field strong takeaway demand, delivering “impressive annual growth”, according to the listing, despite the owners relying largely on word-of-mouth advertising.
The property, described as “exceptionally well maintained”, offers further scope for investors or owner-operators to expand its accommodation for up to 12 guests, while generous outdoor areas also lend themselves to private functions, including weddings and christenings.
Rudd’s Pub has also received multiple Queensland Hotel Association awards, winning Best Pub Accommodation and Best Themed Bar, among others.
Significant capital investment has been made into the property in recent years, particularly across presentation and finishes, including extensive outdoor timber decking.
“All the timber work’s been recently done there too,” Perry says. “Everything’s been pretty much redone.”
The pub can host large numbers of patrons, with Perry noting it can accommodate about 200 people, supported by flexible dining zones and a large central galley kitchen with new appliances installed in 2023.
Beyond its trading fundamentals, the hotel holds recognised cultural significance, with a plaque on-site dedicated to Steele Rudd – the pseudonym of Arthur Hoey Davis – describing him as “the interpreter of life on the land”.
Davis was born nearby at Drayton in 1868 and later became famous for his On Our Selection! stories, which captured early rural life and resonated with generations of Australians.
The pub’s former Heritage Room – now operating as the main dining room – remains a drawcard for visitors drawn to the property’s literary significance, long regarded as a place where Davis found inspiration among his drinking companions.
Davis’s On Our Selection stories, based on his experiences growing up in Queensland and introducing the beloved “Dad and Dave” characters, made him Australia’s top-selling author for a period, whose work was adapted for stage, film, and radio.
According to Perry, the enduring appeal of Rudd’s Pub ultimately lies in its atmosphere and authenticity.
“It’s the relaxed atmosphere, the bar staff – everyone’s friendly,” he says.
