Passion for pubs putting new life in 142-year-old north Queensland hotel
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Pic: The Royal Hotel in July 1883
Queensland was a young colony, Federation was two decades away, and Queen Victoria was still British monarch when the Royal Hotel first opened its doors.
The all-timber pub started trading on Grace Street, Herberton, in 1880. It was the first pub in town, opening just three months after it was established.
It’s one of Queensland’s longest continuously licensed pubs, with records going back to 1860, when the state began issuing its own liquor licenses after breaking away from the colony of New South Wales.
The Royal is still going strong 142 years later, and is currently being refurbished by owner Rick Shirreff, with encouragement and help from locals.
“Herberton is a beautiful, chilly, historic village full of warm, welcoming people.
“I’ve been blown away by the local support in both physical help and the great one hour plus impromptu conversations about their past experiences at the pub.
“It’s a glorious building with little quirks and turns adding to the feel of a 142-year-old structure.
“It’s locally rumoured to accommodate a gentlemanly ghost, still not seen. but his presence is felt on bitterly cold nights.
“We’ll be keeping the fireplace, it’s a must for any property here on winter nights.”
Herberton is more than 900 metres above sea level, on the Great Dividing Range south-west of Atherton. It’s named after Queensland’s first premier, Sir Robert Herbert.
The town thrived in the local tin mining boom of the late 1800s. The Royal was the first of 18 pubs in the area at the peak of the boom.
Mr Shirreff said the mining period is a big part of the story of the town and the pub.
“The neighbours told me in the 1980s, when they built the bistro, they struck a tin vein which paid for the bistro.
“In today’s dollars, they can rebuild the entire pub. I might start digging.”
Rick Shirreff said he has big plans for the Royal, based on 30 years in business in the far north, and a passion for pubs.
“I have a passion to talk and laugh at life. Working in a pub that I own isn’t a job, it’s my time to love every day, being happy at what I enjoy.
“The main reason I chose the Royal Hotel was for the sunset over the public bar. It’s the perfect sundowner beer experience.
“My role here is to be the custodian for many years, serving, smiling, laughing and swapping secrets with all our friendly Herberton locals and all our visitors.”
The Royal Hotel is due to reopen in July.
