Penrith’s Log Cabin rebuilt from the ashes after fire left the community heartbroken

Locals were devastated when fire ripped through the historic Log Cabin Hotel in Penrith, destroying the venue completely. But 10 years on, the pub is back and better than ever. See the pictures.

It’s a Western Sydney pub that helped thirsty city slickers beat the lockout laws, proudly boasted its tea was made with rainwater and played host to Diggers, wedding receptions and even Charles Darwin.

Now, a decade on from being destroyed by fire, Penrith’s Log Cabin Hotel has risen from the ashes.

The Sunday Telegraph was given an ­exclusive tour of the $24 million hotel as it opened its doors for the first time since 2012.

“All the way along we have been cognisant that we are ­inheriting the centrepiece of Penrith’s social fabric,” Laundy Hotels boss Craig Laundy, who has a one-third share in the pub, said.

“Even though it is a brand-new building, we have tried as hard as we can to pay homage to the past, because we think that is important.”

The Log Cabin has finally been rebuilt. Picture: Julian Andrews

The pub has had seven different names since it was ­established in 1826, including The Emu Ford Hotel (1826), The Log House (1925) and the Gov Bourke Hotel (1962).

Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolutionary biology changed science forever, stayed there in 1836 before crossing the Nepean River to explore the Blue Mountains.

Co-owner Craig Laundy in the main downstairs bar of The Log Cabin. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Penrith historian Lorraine Stacker said the Log Cabin’s history truly started in 1924 when Sydney businessman Sir Joyton Smith wanted to establish a destination for travellers.

In his 1927 autobiography he complained about the difficulty in getting a cup of tea in Penrith.

He said he went into a hotel where he “had to take a ­shandy, which was lukewarm”.

“I thought then that, were I in business there, I should cater for every kind of trade the public wanted,” he wrote.

Detail from a brochure advertising the hotel in the 20th century.

The Log House became a holiday destination.

“From that I went on to ­resolve that in the near future I would have tea at Penrith and so should any other ­motorist who wanted it.”

He purchased the site in 1924, including the Riverside Inn that was already there, and built the Log House, which was opened the following year, spruiking its tea.

The Log House became the home of rowing in the area and in 1938 it was the central point for the Commonwealth Games rowing competition on the Nepean River.

Erin McCumiskey from North Kellyville enjoys a drink with Christian Thompson at the newly built hotel.

Penrith was a halfway point for those travelling between Sydney and the Blue Mountains. It used to have a train stop at the foot of the Victoria Bridge to drop off travellers at the Log Cabin.

Ms Stacker said the Log Cabin also became a destination for Sydneysiders who wanted a drink on Sundays ­because strict liquor laws banned the serving of alcohol in the Sydney CBD during the mid-20th century.

“To drink you had to be classed as a traveller and be 30 miles from your home,” she said of the laws, which existed until 1979. Because Penrith was still considered countryside at that stage, people from Sydney would travel to the Log Cabin to drink.”

Flames gutted the old building.

Firefighters couldn’t save the historic hotel.

Ms Stacker said she ­remembers the local historical society meeting the day after the 2012 fire, where “everyone was so devastated”.

“We are just so thrilled that it is back and running again,” she said.

The venue’s living history is embodied by former owner and prominent local businessman Ross Sinclair, 84, who owned the pub from 1983 until 2012, when an electrical fire destroyed the Tudor-style building.

In the 1990s Mr Laundy had visited the pub and was told of its potential to become the “Newport Arms of Western Sydney”, but the pub was not for sale.

Former owner Ross Sinclair passes the baton to Craig Laundy- the hotel’s historic flag, which will go on display. Picture: Julian Andrews

Negotiations with Mr Sinclair did not happen until 2018, with Craig’s father, Arthur Laundy, leading the discussions.

Mr Sinclair, whose name adorns the new fine dining restaurant upstairs, said one of his favourite memories of the place was when he was ­handed a priceless piece of Australian history in 1990.

“We were handed back a flag, which was stolen from the hotel in 1940 by a group of artillerymen from F troop, Sixth Battery, Second/Third Field Regiment who were drinking at the Log Cabin Hotel the day before leaving for war,” he said. “The following day they jumped on the Queen Mary ship bound for Britain.

“During footage of the ship leaving Sydney Harbour (check the YouTube footage above), the flag is draped over the side of the ship.” The group each signed the flag as it travelled with them to England, Egypt, Greece and then Crete.

The historic hotel's flag was stolen by locals who signed up to serve their country during the second world war. The flag returned to Australia but went missing for some years before Sinclair found the flag.

While in Crete, a soldier, Thomas, who carried the flag in his pack, embroidered the signed names in different colours:

A purple star was put against the men who were killed and a pink one for those who had been taken prisoner.

Mr Sinclair said the flag luckily survived the fire ­because it was in a safe in a room that didn’t get burned.

On Wednesday Mr Sinclair officially handed the flag to Mr Laundy, who will display it next to the pub’s 24m-long main bar.

“We had hundreds of ­people who were here for the returning of the flag to the Log Cabin in 1990,” he said.

“I am thrilled to be here for a new chapter in the Log Cabin’s history.”

Originally published as Penrith’s Log Cabin rebuilt from the ashes after fire left the community heartbroken