Donkeys, horses, dogs, humans: All welcome at Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe

They may not have a McDonalds, or even streetlights, but this rural Qld town’s hotel is never dull or short of four-legged guests.

Has the Queensland heat got you feeling dry and “horse”?

Why not take a ride to the Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe, where four-legged-friends of all kinds are welcome inside alongside their human companions.
Ilfracombe, located roughly 1000km north-west of Brisbane City is home to 109 residents.
Tracy Hatch has been the publican at the Wellshot Hotel since 2016, but the pub has been around since 1890 in its current location.

The Wellshot hotel in Ilfracombe.

 Mrs Hatch said equine encounters were not unusual in the iconic outback pub.
“We usually have a guy that comes through here as he heads back up north, and he has a horse and a donkey,” Ms Hatch said.

A horse walks into the Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe. Supplied: Facebook

“They come in and have a bit of a yarn over the bar.
“He’s got a dog too — they come in and do a few tricks behind the bar, and the horse does its business on the floor and it has to be cleaned up.”
Along with her crucial role as a publican, Ms Hatch is also employed as a Longreach Regional Councillor.

Wellshot Hotel owner Cr Tracy Hatch. Photo: Supplied

 She’s a strong advocate for the benefits of rural life, citing safety, interesting characters and friendliness as her main drawcards.
“We might not have McDonald’s, we might not have street lights but there’s certainly a lot of other benefits.
“It’s how diverse people are — one of our recent backpackers had his masters in neuroscience.
“One of my favourite things here is safety, security is definitely not a thing.
“We just love where we live.”

Wellshot Hotel owner Cr Tracy Hatch. Photo: Supplied

Many towns in Western Queensland rely heavily on tourism, from grey nomads in caravans on road trips to young backpackers on the adventure of their lives.
Ms Hatch said the pandemic allowed many people to travel within the state, leading outsiders off the beaten trail to see what towns outback towns like Ilfracombe have to offer.
“Covid was possibly the best thing that happened for us tourism-wise — once the borders were locked down, people went around in Queensland and realised what was on offer.
“Come for the drive and see what’s out here.

“There’s some things you can’t explain.”
She also encouraged Rockhampton residents to try their hand at outback life.
“If you live in Rocky, go past Gracemere — have a look and see what’s there.

“Once you go over the range, every car you pass — they wave, and everyone that walks up the street, they say hi, there’s eye contact.

“When you hit some of the more populated regions, that’s not there.”

But in rural areas “everyone helps everyone”.