IJS Property relaunch Aussie Hotel in Maryborough

A cashed up property group is buying up historic pubs on the Fraser Coast and restoring them to their former glory. Now, the company is renovating a third iconic business and looking to a significant name change. Here is what we know:

The company behind the restoration of two historic hotels in Maryborough has snapped up a third pub.

IJS Property is relaunching Maryborough’s Aussie Hotel on the corner of Adelaide and Alice streets after buying two other iconic pubs in the city.

In 2020, IJS Property purchased the Royal Hotel, which is currently in the process of being restored to its former glory.

The restoration will include renovations to the upstairs rooms and cellar, which dates back to the late 1800s, but works have been delayed due to supply and labour shortages caused by the pandemic.

The property group is also renovating Maryborough’s Customs House Hotel on Wharf St, which had its roof rebuilt in July 2022.

The bar area is expected to be open later this year.

Maryborough's Aussie Hotel was purchased by IJS Property. Photo: Facebook, Nancy Bates.

The Aussie Hotel was once owned by renowned horse trainer Leigh Wanless, along with Maryborough’s Westside Tavern and Granville Tavern.

CoreLogic RP data records reveal the Aussie Hotel was sold for $1.175m in 2004 by Shropshire Pty Ltd.

According to Commercial Real Estate, the hotel was recently listed in an off-market advertisement on the site for $750,000.

The centuries-old pub has been known by a few names since being built in 1875, including the Young Australian, Red Roo and Australian Hotel.

Work is also being done to Maryborough’s Customs House Hotel on 116 Wharf Street.

Maryborough resident Nancy Bates hinted on social media that the Aussie Hotel would be receiving another name by its new owners.

“Watch this space – a new name (or maybe an old one) is going to appear on the Aussie Hotel soon...” Ms Bates said.

“Upstairs accommodation is being renovated and will re-open soon with the bar area to follow.”

IJS Property is also restoring the Royal Hotel on the corner Bazaar and Kent Streets in Maryborough.

Ms Bates said IJS Property’s next focus would be reopening the other two pubs.

“The Custom House will have a staged re-opening after a massive rebuild,” she said.

“A café, bar and beer garden will be completed first, with a craft brewery and upstairs reception area also being developed.

“Next to re-open will be the iconic Royal Hotel, which has been slowly coming back to its former splendour after being stripped back, strengthened and repaired.

“Challenges in working through the perils and shortages of Covid, sourcing the right materials and overcoming a myriad of regulations have meant the journey has been one of frustration for the owners.”