Matt Moran shifts focus to country town after Opera Bar
Celebrity chef Matt Moran has his sights firmly set on country hospitality after his long-running tenure at Sydney’s Opera Bar came to an end. Moran has unveiled ambitious plans to transform The Rockley Pub, the only business in the small Central West town of Rockley, three hours’ drive from Sydney.
Moran and his partners at Solotel recently lost the tender for Opera Bar, a venue they ran for 24 years, with the contract instead awarded to Applejack Hospitality and Compass Group Australia. “We had 24 great years at Opera Bar. We turned a site that wasn’t working into something we are incredibly proud of. I wish [chef] Patrick Friesen all the best,” Moran said. “But I’ve got 12 other businesses that I’m concentrating on and I’m excited about what’s ahead, especially for Rockley.”
When Moran purchased The Rockley Pub in 2021, it was struggling. With his family farm nearby, he recognised its importance as the social hub of a town of just 200 people. Since then, he has revived it into a gathering place and is now pressing ahead with renovations. A new beer garden is under construction and due to open by summer, while plans are underway to restore upstairs rooms into guest accommodation and build luxury stays at the rear.
Moran has brought in chef Nicholas Shaw, whose fine dining and open-fire experience has introduced popular barbecue nights. A signature Moran-style restaurant is also on the cards, adding to the pub’s growing reputation as a food destination. At the same time, Moran is expanding his Bathurst footprint with a new bakery, sandwich shop and market.
Renovations at Rockley have taken on a personal touch, with Moran joking: “I’m now the proud owner of a power pole, which is not something I ever thought I would own,” adding that he received an excavator for his birthday. His vision stretches further, with a potential television series documenting the pub’s transformation, his nearby farm, and even its newest residents – three alpacas, including one named Kerry. “We’ve been in talks with people and would love to do something,” Moran said, referencing the popularity of Clarkson’s Farm as inspiration.
Jonathan Jackson, 18th August 2025
