Yaraka Hotel and Pub owner Chris Gimblett killed in crash

An outback Queensland publican who saved a now world-famous hotel has died in a shocking crash that his wife miraculously survived.

Chris and Gerry Gimblett at the Yaraka Hotel. Picture: Supplied

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An outback Queensland publican who helped revamp a small town has been remembered for his generosity and his impact on the community after he died in a horrific crash.

Chris Gimblett, 86, owner of Yaraka Hotel and Pub in the Longreach region, died after the car lost control and rolled on Isisford-Ilfracombe Road about 3.20pm on Tuesday.

His wife Gerry Gimblett was taken to Longreach Base Hospital in a critical condition but has since been taken out of intensive care and is recovering.

Mr Gimblett has owned the Yaraka Hotel and Pub for the past decade. His close friend Robert Long told The Courier Mail they purchased the hotel at a time when it was getting a little bit tired.

“Gerry was teaching at Beaudesert, She had decided to retire. She was about three days out of finishing the job, and Chris should come out one afternoon and just told her he had bought the Yaraka Hotel,” he said.

“The hotel got moving, because the hotel is the hub of the town Yaraka. It’s in a rural community.

Chris Gimblett has died in a crash on Thursday.

“We have a lot of rural people coming in and out of town and they employed backpackers. And the town got really pumping again.”

The hotel had previously gone viral for putting up a sign in 2022 saying “Emus have been banned from this establishment for bad behaviour.”

“Please let yourself in through the emu barrier and then reconnect please.”

He said the couple had a knack for getting tourists in and welcoming people.

“Chris started a little bus run. He used to run a little tour up there, and he used to give people a brief run in of what happened, and who worked in the district, and who’s who in the zoo,” he said.

“They’d have meal at the hotel, and we’d have various entertainment. We used to have karaoke and all that sort of thing.”

Mr Long said he was a great storyteller.

“They have had a huge impact on the community. Both Chris and Gerry are very, very caring people,” he said.

“Chris is indeed going to be very, very sadly missed.

“He was always the first to help everybody, if there was an incident, and he’s going to be a loss.

Mr Long said he will miss the arguments he used to have with Chris about the world. Many people have taken to social media to send their condolences.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland took to social media saying they were saddened to hear of the passing of the “much-loved publican”.

“Chris and his wife Gerry showed such incredible warmth and hospitality during the 2024 QLD Variety Bash, and we know many of our participants will remember their generosity fondly,” they said

“Our hearts go out to Chris’s family, friends, and the Yaraka community. We’re also sending our love and best wishes to Gerry, who is in a critical condition in hospital.”

Originally published as Yaraka Hotel and Pub owner Chris Gimblett killed in crash