Last drinks for Bowden family as Marburg Hotel auction looms

A historic Qld hotel is set for auction, offering buyers a rare shot at owning history.

The elegant dining room reflects the building’s majestic history. Pictures: Ray White

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Ever dreamt of owning a pub steeped in history, charm and cold beer? This Friday, you could.

The legendary Marburg Hotel, a two-storey heritage-listed icon that’s been at the heart of the tiny Lockyer Valley town for more than 140 years, is officially hitting the auction block and with it, a rare chance to snap up a true Queensland institution.

Sitting on a sprawling 6748sq/m block just 53km west of Brisbane and 25km from Ipswich, the Marburg Hotel is the kind of listing that comes along once in a generation — quite literally.

That’s because this grand old pub has been in the same family since 1944, with Dan and Julie Bowden its most recent custodians.

But with retirement now on the cards, the Bowdens are calling time at the bar, offering the freehold going concern to market via Ray White Ipswich.

The auction is scheduled for 10.30am this Friday, May 30 and buyers with an eye for history and hospitality will want to be there.

The front bar at the historic Marburg Hotel, which goes under the hammer on Friday, May 30. Picture: Contributed

“It’s not just a pub, it’s Marburg’s soul,” one local said.

“It’s the place where we’ve celebrated births, birthdays, weddings, wake-ups and more.

“The Bowdens are part of our fabric and this is the end of an era.”

The history is rich.

Built in 1881, the Marburg Hotel has operated continuously for more than 140 years and served as a bustling pit stop for travellers between Brisbane and Toowoomba until the highway was re-routed in 1969.

Its place in Queensland’s story was officially recognised when it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.

The building itself oozes old-world charm, with full-length verandas, cast-iron detailing, and a classic corrugated iron hipped roof.

Inside, there’s a downstairs dining area seating 50 plus, a rear-covered patio for 20, and a grassy beer garden that can host more than 100 people and is ideal for Sunday sessions or large functions.

Upstairs are nine accommodation rooms, currently unused, representing serious revenue potential for the savvy buyer, especially with a local rental shortage.

But for the Bowdens, the sale is bittersweet.

Matt Bowden, right, with his daughter Milla and his father Dan. Picture: Contributed

Dan’s brother and former co-owner Matt Bowden, tragically passed away from an aggressive brain cancer in 2021, leaving behind his young daughter Milla.

His loss still resonates through the pub’s weathered walls and loyal patrons.

The family first became licensees in the 1940s and officially took ownership in 1986, holding the reins of what many consider the beating heart of Marburg.

“This is your chance to own more than a business,” said Ray White Ipswich principal Warren Ramsey.

“You’re buying a community landmark, a slice of Queensland’s living history.”

So, if you’ve ever fancied calling ‘last drinks’ in a historic country pub, this is your moment. Paddles go up this Friday.

AUCTION

■ Friday, May 30, 10.30am at 81 Limestone St, Ipswich

This photo of the Marburg Hotel was taken in 1886. Picture: State Library of Queensland

History of Marburg Hotel

1881: Construction of the Marburg Hotel commenced, initiated by Weigand Raabe, a local farmer and publican. The hotel was initially a single-storey building and became the first hotel in Marburg.

1883: Following Weigand Raabe’s death, his widow, Auguste Raabe, took over the hotel’s operations. She later married Otto Sakrzewski, who became the licensee from 1885 to 1887.

1890: A second storey was added to the hotel, enhancing its prominence in the town.

1921: The Sakrzewski family’s tenure as licensees concluded, marking the end of their long-standing association with the hotel.

1936: Queensland Brewery Ltd purchased the Marburg Hotel, integrating it into a broader network of establishments.

1940s: The hotel served as a scheduled refreshment stop for Greyhound coaches traveling between Toowoomba and Brisbane, highlighting its strategic location.

1947: The Marburg Hotel became the sole hotel in the town, a status it has maintained since.

1985: The hotel featured as the “Cedar Creek Hotel” in the Australian film The Settlement, starring Bill Kerr and John Jarratt.

1992: Recognising its historical and cultural significance, the Marburg Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21.

Originally published as Last drinks for Bowden family as Marburg Hotel auction looms