Dean Group of Hotels promise multimillion makeover for Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel

The group behind the Walkers Arms and Largs Pier hotels will revamp and reopen a popular South-East hotel, which has been closed for the past four years.

Dean Group of Hotels has acquired the Kincraig Hotel in Naracoorte. Picture: Supplied

The group behind the award-winning Walkers Arms and historic Largs Pier hotels in Adelaide has plans to reopen a popular regional pub closed for the past four years.

Dean Group of Hotels will add the Kincraig Hotel, in Naracoorte, to its property portfolio and has promised a “multimillion” renovation, including suites to a “five-star standard”.

The acquisition was hoped to end the hotel’s chequered history, which included being part-owned by Port Adelaide midfield Ollie Wines and former forward Angus Monfries.

Ollie Wines and Angus Monfries at the pub. Picture: Facebook

Ed and Julie Peter, Brett Matthews and Martin Palmer bought the hotel in 2020 from

administrators and only partly finished a major renovation before it closed.

Dean Group of Hotels director Peter Johnson said the group, which owns Macs Hotel in Mount Gambier, had an established history of renovating pubs over its 24 years.

Macs Hotel in Mount Gambier. Picture: Supplied

“Our most recent (purchase) was the Boathouse Tavern at Taperoo, we did a major renovation which included a 24-room complex with large kidney shaped pool,” Mr Johnson said.

“It’s in a mid-century theme to suit the building and the area and it’s thriving now since we’ve reopened.

“We’re looking to take what we’ve done with the Walkers Arms, Largs Pier and Macs to the same level of service and food to Naracoorte.”

Dean Group of Hotels director Peter Johnson pictured in the refurbished Walkers Arms Hotel. Picture: Supplied

What the Walkers Arms Hotel looked like once refurbished. Picture: Supplied.

The group take possession on October 21 and will “have a team of contractors that will start immediately” on the staged renovation, expected to take 12-18 months.

The first stage is renovating the pokie room, followed by the food and bar area which will include a playground space, and then converting upstairs accommodation into 22 rooms with ensuites – some with spas.

The individual stages would open once complete, Mr Johnson said.

How the Boathouse Tavern at Taperoo used to look.

Following a renovation by Dean Group of Hotels, it became the Peninsula Hotel Motel.