Iconic Conargo pub known for bush-bashing bumper stickers calls last drinks

After rising from the ashes following a devastating fire more than a decade ago, the Conargo Hotel – lovingly rebuilt by two sets of brothers – stands proudly again at 5310 Conargo Road, Conargo. 

Perched at the crossroads of Carrathool and Conargo roads, a major rural highway intersection four hours from Melbourne, and 120 minutes over the Victorian-NSW border from Echuca, the 7884-square-metre site close to winding Billabong Creek, is being offered to the market as a freehold going concern – for a price available on application.

With the pub thriving once more, the brothers are ready to hand over the reins of the profitable business as they move on to their next chapter.

Listing agency CRE Brokers describes the destination venue as a “cultural icon” and a “vibrant cornerstone of the Riverina region”.

Agency director Rob Devlin says the campaign is off to a good start.

“It only freshly hit the market last week, and the response has been strong,” he says.

“The pub has excellent name recall in the market. A lot of people have either been there, or seen the black and white stickers on the back of farmers’ utes far and wide.”

In a tightly held market, the pub has potential for strong returns in the hands of the right operator, with room for campsite development among ideas for the new owners, Devlin says.

“The right operator at Canago will build on the known recall, and I think generate handsome returns,” he says.

Not only a pit-stop favourite among tourists and interstate travellers, it’s a community hub with a storied history, brought back to life in 2022 in a warming tale of brotherly camaraderie and mateship after its devastation in 2014.

Two of the people who own it now “are two brothers whose parents owned it back in the day”, Devlin says. “They grew up there and subsequently moved away, and their parents sold the hotel.

“One of the brothers was living in Queensland, had heard about the fire in 2014 and drove down past the pub to have a look.

“He noticed the facade standing fairly forlornly on the site. And he … his brother and two local brothers who owned it, formed a partnership and rebuilt the hotel.”

The owners, brothers Michael and Paul Lodge and brothers Charlie and Bob White, rebuilt the pub as a lasting monument to the Lodge brothers’ parents and to the White brothers’ connection to Conargo.

Boasting modern features – like a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen – and historic charm, it’s a must-visit destination for thousands keen on a feed and a drink on their way to or from the annual Deni Ute Muster each October.

“The hotel draws a loyal local crowd and surges in trade during the Deni Ute Muster, welcoming thousands annually,” the listing reads.

A beer garden overlooks the grounds and creek, and inside are a lounge, bar and a new 100-person function room, which has already proven popular for special events.

Pub food – think scotch fillet and surf and turf meets calamari and schnitzels – is served from Wednesday to Sunday during winter, with daily specials.

“It looks like a great spot for an afternoon session,” Devlin says.

The iconic Conargo Pub bumper stickers, designed and sold at the pub since the 1980s,  have been seen everywhere from country paddocks to inner-city suburbs, slapped onto utes, toolboxes, fridges and trailers.

“Nearly every fair dinkum ute in Australia had the world-famous Conargo Pub sticker on its tailgate, and a must-visit during the Deni Ute Muster, this is more than a business,” the listing reads.

While the bumper stickers are a huge part of Australian ute and bush culture, the last place one of the owners expected to see the Conago Pub sticker was in Paris.

“One of the funny things was, one of the owners was in France, and he was walking down the Champs-Elysees and he noticed a Mercedes go past with a Conargo Pub sticker on it,” Devlin says. 

“And that’s why we jokingly referred to it as world-renowned.”

He says the pub is “more than just a business – it’s a vibrant community hub with a rich legacy”.

“The Conargo Hotel offers an exceptional lifestyle and investment opportunity, combining strong value with the potential for further growth in one of Australia’s most iconic regional destinations,” Devlin says.

“We’re asking for any interested parties to contact us, and we’ll provide them with the relevant information.”