Oonoonba Hotel becomes The Fairfield as part of epic refurbishment project
A historic Townsville pub undergoing an epic $5 million refurbishment has had its name changed in a push to attract families with a fresh offering. See how it will look.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dramatic changes are underway at the Oonoonba Hotel Motel, which has been renamed and is undergoing a $5 million refurbishment to modernise its layout and broaden its appeal for a wider demographic of patrons.
The historic Townsville pub has returned to its original heritage name The Fairfield, which it was known as between its opening in 1902 and 1962.
After receiving the green light from Townsville City Council, construction began two months ago on the ambitious three stage refurbishment of the pub and neighbouring motel.
The first stage where a new gaming lounge was built is now 90 per cent complete.
The second stage has seen half of the pub and motel rooms demolished, paving the way for a new kitchen, 80-seat all-weather beer garden, 120-seat restaurant and bar, and an enclosed kids’ play area loaded with entertainment.
Once stage two was completed in early August, attention will turn to the third stage where the remaining public bar, TAB, and coldroom would be ripped out, stripped back to a shell, and its ceiling/ roof raised.
In its place will be a modern sports bar featuring a reorientated bar and TAB, where huge LED screens will showcase all sports, including UFC, making it a must visit location for sports fanatics.
Usually selling pubs through his role as a broker for commercial real estate company CBRE, Paul Fraser partnered with long time friend and fellow Brisbanite Michael Weekes, who operates a construction company building luxury homes, to purchase this, their first hotel for $7 million in February 2023.
Mr Fraser was conscious of maintaining the venue’s appeal for locals who had kept it alive throughout the years, while also gentrifying it to attract a broader demographic, particularly for families across the rail tracks in Fairfield and Idalia.
“This pub has traditionally only looked after the locals of Oonoonba. I believe with this renovation, we can have a much wider catchment … because I don’t have a lot of competition with nearest competitors the Stuart Hotel or The Sun Hotel,” Mr Fraser said.
“In my opinion, there is a massive demand for a good, independent, locally-run pub that caters for the demographic of this area.
“I think the offering that we’re going to do is conducive to families, and that’s the focus that we’re going to have, which the Oonoonba (Hotel Motel) never had before.”
With the new kitchen to feature a massive wood-fired pizza oven operated by a pizza chef moving here from overseas, he said pizzas would be central to their menu, which also featured traditional pub favourites, elevated by their state-of-the-art new equipment.
He expected the refurbishment process to be completed by early October.
“We want to have a big facility here for functions and events. We want to be well and truly done, and open the entire pub with a brand new TAB … for the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
“The whole aim of this is to have an offering for everyone.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Oonoonba Hotel becomes The Fairfield as part of epic refurbishment project
Join the conversation
‘Stupid’ copper thefts plunge the Bruce Highway into danger
A shocking series of destructive copper thefts have left swathes of the Bruce Highway south of Townsville treacherous for travellers due to the reduced lighting.
Read more
MP says this is the ‘final step’ needed to tackle youth crime
After a woman had a knife held to her throat in a horrifying home invasion, a NQ MP says there is only one thing missing from youth crime legislation. VOTE IN OUR POLL.
Read more