Infamous Aussie pub at centre of Larrimah true crime mystery changes hands

The Larrimah Hotel, also known as the Pink Panther Hotel, has been “hijacked” by an Alice Springs business owner.

The Larrimah Hotel, also known as the Pink Panther Hotel, has been sold to new owners. Picture: Jason Walls

A pub which gained worldwide infamy for being at the centre of an outback mystery and Netflix true crime series has been sold to an NT business owner.

The Larrimah Hotel based in the tiny NT town of Larrimah about 500km south of Darwin was put up for sale earlier this year for $795,000.

It was the first time it was put on the market since the popular Last Stop Larrimah Netflix series was released in 2023 which looked into the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty.

Mr Moriarty, one of the 12 residents in the town and a regular at the Larrimah Hotel was last seen on December 16, 2017 with his dog Kellie and was never seen again.

Paddy Moriarty lived in Larrimah for eleven years before his disappearance. Pic: Helen Orr

Pub owner Steve Baldwin bought the venue from Barry Sharpe in 2018 not long after Mr Moriarty went missing but it seems the infamous pink venue is in new hands.

And they have big plans in store.

Owner of Stuarts Well Roadhouse and Caravan Park on the Stuart Highway south of Alice Springs, Laura Ragless, announced this week the business will be taking over the pub.

Promising a full takeover, the new Larrimah Hotel owner said in a post online that there were exciting things to come.

Laura Ragless in 2014 when she and her husband ran Beltana Pastoral Station. Picture Tom Huntley

”There’s been a truckload of chatter about Stuart’s Well Roadhouse taking over the Larrimah Hotel so, let’s put this rumour to bed and say yes, Stuart’s Well has indeed taken over the Larrimah Hotel “Pink Panther” and the Wayside Inn,” she stated on Facebook.

“And we’re not just talking about a takeover, we’re talking about a full-blown hospitality hijack.”

The owner of Stuart Wells Roadhouse since November, 2024 and former owner of Beltana Sheep Station in South Australia has a lot of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The Larrimah Hotel, also known as the Pink Panther Hotel. Picture: Jason Walls

While the new acquisition is a lengthy 11 hour journey away from the roadhouse, Ms Ragless said the Stuart’s Well team are “raring to go”.

However, she said they will not be fully up and running until mid-October.

“Then the team will be in the house, and trust me, they’re coming in hot with their great menu and high-quality, freshest food to the north for everyone,” she stated online.

Ms Ragless said the takeover will be up and running by mid-October.

“So there is work to be done, and by work, I mean eating all the delicious food.”

But it is not just the food people can go to see.

The Larrimah Hotel also comes with two resident crocodiles Sneaky Sam and Agro who live at the back of premises who will be the centre of mini upcoming tours for visitors.

Former owner Mr Baldwin threw the two predators in with the sale after saying he wanted to slow down and retire.

Originally published as Infamous Aussie pub at centre of Larrimah true crime mystery changes hands