Laundy family adds Woy Woy Hotel to coastal portfolio
Pub industry heavyweight Arthur Laundy has secured the Woy Woy Hotel on NSW's Central Coast for more than $40 million, consolidating the family's grip on the popular township's hospitality scene just weeks after completing a $56 million radio network acquisition.
The purchase gives the Laundy family ownership of both major pubs in Woy Woy, which includes The Bayview Hotel, which the family renovated two years ago. Their Central Coast footprint extends further through a co-ownership stake in the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific alongside the Karedis family.
The heritage-listed 1897 venue, affectionately known to locals as The Old Pub, traded at roughly $245,000 in weekly revenue (ex GST) at the time of sale, supported by food and beverage operations, 30 electronic gaming machines and a drive-through bottle shop. The property had been off the market for more than 25 years before being listed in February following a $6 million renovation completed last December.
The refurbishment brought a beer garden, children's playground, restored public bar, boutique bistro dining and a sports bar with capacity for more than 900 patrons — while a dormant upper floor presents further development potential for accommodation or expanded function offerings.
JLL Hotels & Hospitality's managing director Ben McDonald and senior vice president Kate MacDonald handled the transaction.
Laundy cited market dominance as the key driver, mirroring a strategy he has already deployed in inner-Sydney's Woolloomooloo, where the family controls multiple venues including the Woolly Bay Hotel and The Bells Hotel.
McDonald noted the broader trend driving coastal pub values, telling The Australian: "JLL has recently managed three significant coastal pub transactions with the sale of Byron Bay's iconic Beach Hotel, Terrigal Hotel on the NSW Central Coast and Bermagui Beach Hotel on the NSW Sapphire Coast. The Central Coast is a tightly held yet highly desirable location for both regional and metropolitan hoteliers."
He added: "As the weight of capital seeking large format trading pubs continues to build in the market, we anticipate heightened competition for those assets with strong investment credentials including dominant trading positions, diversified revenue profiles and high barriers to entry — all of which were on offer with the Woy Woy Hotel."
MacDonald described the listing as a standout opportunity at the time of launch, saying: "It's quite rare to see a property of this calibre and trading performance come to market, particularly one that hasn't been publicly offered for over 25 years. The comprehensive renovation has transformed Woy Woy Hotel into a contemporary hospitality destination while maintaining its strong community connection and diversified revenue streams."
The deal comes as the Laundy family prepares to take the reins of the Nine Entertainment radio network — home to Sydney's 2GB, Melbourne's 3AW, Brisbane's 4BC and Perth's 6PR — from 1 May, under its newly rebranded name Tapt Media.
Jonathan Jackson, 23rd April 2026
