Country pub with 'best' chicken schnitzels, coastal vibes hits the market
A South Australian country pub famous for its scrumptious schnitzels and a side-serve of coastal frontage, is on the market.
Hotel Augusta, a much-loved watering hole in the Port Augusta region, is a “tourist favourite” and “beacon for the community”, according to Grant Clarke of McGees Property Adelaide.
“Any incoming owner stands to benefit from the huge goodwill that the name Hotel Augusta brings in Port Augusta, across South Australia, and beyond,” says Clarke.
“This is a rare opportunity to acquire the freehold and business of a high-performing, iconic hotel in a strong township.”
The 1650-square-metre double-storey pub is hugged by a huge verandah and outdoor deck overlooking the spectacular Spencer Gulf at 1-3 Loudon Road in Port Augusta West, about 3½ hours’ north-west of Adelaide.
Connected by a bridge, the nearby the town of Port Augusta is known as the “crossroads of Australia”, where the major highways from Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin connect the east, west, north, and south of the country.
Sitting on a generous 2090-square-metre site opposite boating access, Hotel Augusta has attracted a 4.5-star Google review rating and offers generous servings of pub fare and ales.
“The chicken schnitzel was the best we have had on our travels,” one reviewer, Brigitte Cronan, says. Another, Genine J, says: “You’re in for a real Aussie pub treat should you decide to stay for a meal”.
Boasting high turnover and profit from its food and drink operations, a visit from a morning TV series hasn’t hurt trade either. Sunrise, the channel seven program, declared the pub as home to one of the best schnitzels in Australia, McGees adds.
Publican Heidi Johnston said the hotel’s success stems from her team’s shared passion for genuine hospitality, continual investment in quality and service, and the loyal support of the Port Augusta community and its year-round visitors.
“From the very beginning our goal has been to create a welcoming, high-quality experience for every guest,” she says.
“We look forward to seeing the hotel continue to thrive and serve the community well into the future.”
To enter the pub, visitors will walk past the outdoor deck through the saloon bar, a popular spot for a pre-dinner drink before moving into the dining room, where 90 punters are looked after from its own bar and commercial kitchen.
Other features include a gaming room with 17 poker machines, offering a diverse experience in a township that is 15,000 strong.
There is also immediate potential upside to the hotel, including activating unused upstairs functions and stays.
“And there is opportunity to trade for more hours under the current general, hotel and gaming machine licences than the existing operator,” adds Clark.
Clark says the pub has earned a great reputation for backing local businesses, suppliers, sporting events and community events.
“The work that sisters Heidi Johnston and Penny Pearce and their partners have put into the venue since taking over has cemented Hotel Augusta as a tourist favourite and a beacon for the local community,” he says.
Hotel Augusta is surrounded by a diverse mix of amenities that keep the area active year-round, including shopping centres, hospitality venues, retail and commercial businesses, as well as quality residential properties.
The property is for sale via an expressions-of-interest campaign closing at 4pm on Wednesday, November 12.
