Australian Hotel to go under the hammer

As another era at the long-standing Australian Hotel draws to a close, Gympie realtor Billy Mitchell looks towards its future.

The iconic blue pub with its expansive second storey veranda is up for sale and Mr Mitchell said he's hoping its new owners can turn the pub into an inclusive family venue. The current owners of the hotel have been giving locals a friendly place to have a beer and a chat since 2007, but Mr Mitchell said it's time for them to move on.

As for the pub itself, The "Aussie" has been the home of a crisp cold beer in Gympie since it was built in 1883.

"Everyone has had at least one beer at the Australian Hotel," Mr Mitchell said.

For Sale: Gympie’s iconic Australian Hotel is up for sale.

He said now he hopes patrons can not only have a beer at the pub but a restaurant-quality meal as well.

An unused kitchen is beckoning for a chef and diners to fill the hotel's rustic 12-foot (3.6m) verandas which overlook the city atop one of Gympie's highest hills on Lady Mary Tce.

Bartender Jasmyn de Vree said the pub still affords the same "country charm" it did more than 100 years ago.

"It's still got that real country charm," she said.

Mr Mitchell said the "good pub with a good vibe" will be "up for grabs" when it goes to auction on Tuesday, December 3.

The auction will take place at 6pm at the Mary River Motor Inn.

Source: The Gympie Times, 29 November 2013