A look back on the pubs of the Pioneer Valley

From fire, floods and fights... the pubs of the Pioneer Valley have seen a lot over the decades...

The Excelsior Hotel - built in 1911, the double storey pub, was located at Netherdale. A fire broke out in 1962, and the hotel, dance hall, and a shop were destroyed. In days gone bye, pubs would sometimes host a fight, and it was at 3pm on a Saturday arvo 4th February 1933, when Joe Adams (Eungella) V Billy Edwards (Finch Hatton) for a purse of 10 quid ($20) - it's unknown who collected.

From fire, floods and fights... the pubs of the Pioneer Valley have seen a lot over the decades...

The Eungella Chalet

Located at the top of the Pioneer Valley, it was originally built as a Sanatorium/Health Resort. It was opened by the prime minister of the time in 1934. A change of ownership has occurred several times, with Kaj and Hannah Sprogue leasing it for many years from 1937.

The Excelsior Hotel

Built in 1911, the double storey pub, was located at Netherdale. A fire broke out in 1962, and the hotel, dance hall, and a shop were destroyed.

In days gone bye, pubs would sometimes host a fight, and it was at 3pm on a Saturday arvo 4th February 1933, when Joe Adams (Eungella) V Billy Edwards (Finch Hatton) for a purse of 10 quid ($20) - it's unknown who collected.

The Criterion Hotel

It was built in 1906 and remains the sole survivor of the three hotels that once existed in Finch Hatton.

It was once a favourite for many mill and railway workers. It was badly damaged during the 1958 flood.

The Criterion Hotel - it was built in 1906 and remains the sole survivor of the three hotels that once existed in Finch Hatton. It was once a favourite for many mill and railway workers. It was badly damaged during the 1958 flood.

The Cedar Hotel

The Finch Hatton pub was built in 1911 with cedar timber from Eungella, and used at first as a boarding house. It closed and was dismantled in the late 1930's, and the timber was then used in the construction of a boarding house opposite the old Mackay Railway Station.

The Royal Hotel

It was the oldest of the "Hatton" pubs, built around 1904 as a single storey and then known as The Cattle Creek Hotel until around 1913. It also met the fate of many country pubs, when it was destroyed by fire in 1962.

The Pinnacle Hotel

Known originally as the Railway Terminus Hotel and built around 1903, it was at first located close to the railway station.

Around 1911 it was relocated beside the main road and became known as the Pinnacle Hotel.

The pub was rebuilt in 1932 after being destroyed by fire.

The Coronation Hotel

Now known as The Pioneer Valley Hotel, and located at Gargett, was built in 1910.

Originally a two storey timber hotel, it was altered to a single storey building after renovations in 1987.

The Club Hotel - The two storey pub in Mirani once stood on the corner of Mackay-Eungella road and Barbara Street, just down from the present pub. The first license was granted in 1885. On 2nd May 1922, at 3am, it was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt. An adjoining hall and residence was saved. One publican, Edwin Blann, celebrated his tenure in style on a Tuesday night, 20th October, 1891. He "shouted" his many guests to a free Ball and Supper, with some arriving by train from Mackay at 6.30pm and dancing until the early hours, then returning home at 7.30am next morning.

The Club Hotel

The two storey pub in Mirani once stood on the corner of Mackay-Eungella road and Barbara Street, just down from the present pub.

The first license was granted in 1885. On 2nd May 1922, at 3am, it was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt.

An adjoining hall and residence was saved. One publican, Edwin Blann, celebrated his tenure in style on a Tuesday night, 20th October, 1891.

He "shouted" his many guests to a free ball and supper, with some arriving by train from Mackay at 6.30pm and dancing until the early hours, then returning home at 7.30am next morning.

The Mirani Hotel

Originally a single storey boarding house and the hub of the small community, it was built around 1882 and later known as the Pioneer Hotel.

The hotel license was granted in 1890, and later a double storey pub built.

Around 1930 it became known as the Mirani Hotel. Frank Cronin purchased the pub in 1953, and it remained in the family until 2017.

The railway quarters were located just across from it, and during the "crushing" season the pub was a hive of activity.

The Marian Hotel

The hotel was built around 1905, and located beside the Mackay-Eungella Road on the corner presently occupied by the Caltex Service Station. One Sunday morning in 1955 it fell victim of a fire, and together with its hall was totally destroyed.

The Railway Hotel

It can be found in Daly Street at Marian. The first license was granted in 1907.

In the 1970s, the two storey pub was demolished and a single storey structure built.

For a time it was the home for the Western Suburbs "Tigers" Rugby League Club.

The Swan Hotel

It was located at Newbury Junction, close to the junction of the Mackay-Eton and the Mackay-Mirani railway lines.

One of the earliest pubs in the Valley, licensed in 1884, it existed for about 20 years until it was moved to Marian and became the Railway Hotel.

Visit the Pioneer Valley Museum at Mirani behind the library in Victoria St, Mirani Tuesday to Thursday 9.30am to 2.30pm (The Friends will open the Museum at other times by appointment). Phone [phone] or email: [e-mail]

Originally published as A look back on the pubs of the Pioneer Valley