Leichhardt Hotel Rockhampton: AVC announce big plans for renovations

The Leichhardt Hotel was built in the 70s and is in dire need of a facelift as parts of the venue are currently closed due to water damage. Full details here.

It was once one of Rockhampton’s most popular places to go dancing on the weekend, but the Leichhardt Hotel on Bolsover Street is now looking quite tired and is in need of a facelift.

Last month, the venue, which is managed by the second largest pubs company nationally, Australian Venue Co, closed its gaming room “due to upcoming renovations”.

A concert was also due to be held at the venue by hip hop artist Seth Sentry on March 3, but was moved to The Goat three days out from the event.

AVC told this publication the function levels, gaming room and one level of accommodation were currently closed due to “water damage”.

The venue was built in the 70s and boasts seven floors with two floors of function facilities and 60 four-star hotel rooms.

Accommodation prices start from $135 to $215 per night.

Multiple reviews of the hotel’s accommodation offering have been posted online and while not all are negative, there were some complaints of mould and that the venue was in need of renovations.

Review December 2021: “Stayed at this hotel for one night, it was all fun and games until we went into the lift to the hallway which literally smells like vomit/mould. Could barely breathe in the room, there is 0 airflow, would not recommend staying here and spending a little more money elsewhere.”

Review January 2022: “Exceptional customer service, the front of house staff were very friendly and incredibly helpful. Good location in the town centre, close to the river and restaurants, but the hotel room was very dated and tired, and needs a major refresh.”

Photos of rooms at the Leichhardt Hotel.

In response to many of the negative reviews, management responded with the following comment.

“Thank you for taking the time to review our hotel, we are glad to announce that the hotel is going through a refurbish during this year. We hope to see you again soon!”.

The current building is the third “Leichhardt Hotel” built on the site, on the corner of Bolsover and Denham Streets in the Rockhampton CBD.

The first version of the hotel was opened in 1864 as a first class family hotel.

In 1889, a new building was erected over the old building, and the old building was removed bit by bit so that trading didn’t have to cease.

Most locals around Rockhampton today would associate the hotel with the Duthies.

Les Duthie and his wife Emily were a prominent couple in the community; in the 50s Mr Duthies opened Duthies Travel Service and oversaw The Rockhampton Building Society.

Mr Duthie, who was known as “Mr Rockhampton” carried out a lot of development in the city alongside former mayor Rex Pilbeam.

He died in 2004 at the age of 91.

Rockhampton’s First Lady, Emily Duthie, died in 2012 at 96 years of age.

The Duthies purchased the Leichhardt property in 1960.

The building was demolished in 1889 and a grand seven-storey structure was built by JM Kelly, named Duthie’s Leichhardt Hotel.

Over the years, it has been described as Rockhampton’s first hotel and the grand lady of the city.

The property sold in 1997 for $2.99 million and the last sale was in 2004 for $3.52 million.

While it may appear to be just one tall building, the property actually wraps around the whole corner and includes a whole row of units at the back as well.

Travel agency franchise, Travel Associates, leasse a shopfront on the ground floor on the Denham Street corner.

Located directly across the road from the Rockhampton Police Station and the watchhouse, the Leichhardt Hotel kitchen is understood to service meals for those in the watchhouse.