Kuttabul Hotel lessee Frank Petschauer retires after a decade at the bar

Situated 30mins from both the rainforest and the beach, a 130-year-old pub is up for grabs with its own shrine to Ned Kelly and a jail cell with fair-dinkum ball-and-chain ankle cuffs.

A beloved heritage hotel will need a new publican after the long-term lessee decided to retire, who said he’s loved running and restoring the century old watering hole.

A 130-year-old pub is up for grabs complete with its own shrine to Ned Kelly and a jail cell with fair-dinkum ball-and-chain ankle cuffs.

Cheekily celebrated as the “best pub in Kuttabul”, it literally is the only pub in the town and as such, is never short of patrons.

The beloved Kuttabul Hotel – about 25 minutes drive north of Mackay and 30 minutes from picturesque rainforest waterholes – was first opened in the 1890s and will soon enter a new chapter in its long history with lessee Frank Petschauer looking to retire.

The 62 year old took over running the pub in 2013 for owner Bob Donaldson, who has since passed it along to his daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Isaac Leonardi.

The hotel has grown over the years with Frank adding his own special touches with a vintage Ned Kelly themed bar.

“I started drinking here when I was 18,” Frank said.

Frank Petschauer, the publican of the Kuttabul Hotel, is selling up after ten years.

“We’ve made Kuttabul proud.

“The locals love it … everyone’s loved it, and I’ve loved it don’t get me wrong.

“We have free hire of the (Mango Blossom Hall) for functions, weddings, birthday parties (so) we get a lot of local support.”

The Ned Kelly bar, itself a tribute to the infamous bushranger, was built with reclaimed local timbers.

And for the true Kelly experience, you can lock yourself away behind bars in the corner, and strap your ankle into the ball-and-chain cuff sourced from an Australian jail.

Kuttabul Hotel lessee Frank Petschauer is excited to unveil the new Ned Kelly Bar in December, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

Frank is a true Kelly fan telling the Daily Mercury in 2021 when the bar opened that he had the outlaw’s famous last words “Such is life” tattooed on his chest.

And when many regional watering holes are getting a 21st century do-over, Frank keeps his formula to pub success simple – good food, a pool table, and no pokies.

He refuses to install the “anti-social” gambling machines.

The rare absence focuses the hotel’s patrons on “old school communication”, which Frank sees as essential in a pub where many people still make connections, get jobs, and meet people.

Of his decade at the helm, Frank said he was most proud of his work bringing Kuttabul Hotel “back to its former glory”.

Kuttabul Hotel is a small country pub north of Mackay. Picture: Facebook

Yet after a decade of dedication he’s decided that “now it’s time for me to go”, with the opportunity opening up for other entrepreneurs and publicans.

“I’ve got five grandchildren ranging from nine years old to one, so I’d like to start spending some time with them,” Frank said.

“It’s a well-earned break, I believe.”

“(So) it’d be a good family motel or for someone wanting to get out of the mines.”

Any aspiring publicans wanting to continue Kuttabul Hotel’s long heritage can take over the lease for about $280,000, and are welcome to inquire with Frank for more information.

Originally published as Kuttabul Hotel lessee Frank Petschauer retires after a decade at the bar