Historic Kevington Hotel to go under the hammer

NESTLED in the foothills of Victoria’s high country is one of the area’s last remaining operating hotels from the gold rush era.

The historic Kevington Hotel is for sale. Picture: Dannika Bonser

NESTLED in the foothills of Victoria’s high country is one of the area’s last remaining operating hotels from the gold rush era.

The Kevington Hotel was built in 1862 by John and Mary Garrett and was originally called Garrett’s Beer House and then the Poplar Hotel.

It was a popular watering hole among miners as it was located on the horse trail to the goldfields.

KEVINGTON

KEVINGTON HOTEL

PROPERTY: Lifestyle, tourism

SIZE: 0.6ha

SALE: Auction April 27 at 12pm

AGENT: Landmark

CONTACT: John Moyle, 0428 588 335, Bruce Biggs, 0400519670

Today, the idyllic town of Kevington has a population of about 40 residents, but during holidays and on weekends the town is booming with campers, fishers, bush walkers, trail bike riders and four wheel drivers.

And for many, the one thing on their to-do list is a visit to the historic Kevington Hotel.

“It’s a go-to destination these days,” Kevington Hotel owner Wayne Poole said.

“If you haven’t been to the hotel while you’re here, you haven’t really experienced it.”

Kevington Hotel

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Wayne and his wife Lyn-Maree have owned the hotel located on the banks of the Goulburn River for 12 years, but it has been a part of the family for much longer.

Wayne’s grandparents Clarrie and Elsie moved to the area in 1932 and bought the 10 Mile Hotel, which they operated until fires wiped out the area in 1939. They farmed that land before they bought the Kevington Hotel in 1957 from the Garretts. It was sold out of the family in 1986, but when it came back up for sale in 2007, Wayne and Lyn-Maree toyed with the idea of buying it back as a holiday house.

Wanye Poole with a picture of his granfather Clarrie in front of the Kevington Hotel. Picture: Dannika Bonser

“It’s such a family icon,” Wayne said.

“I spent time here as a child — school holidays, fishing, hunting, walking through the bush.

“It was passed in at auction and we bought it after auction.

“We decided to give the business a go too and the rest is history. It needed a bit of TLC and we have spent a considerable amount of money refurbishing the place.”

Wayne and Lyn-Maree have lovingly restored the bar, put in new concrete paving outside and renovated the pergola area, and refurbished the dining room in keeping with the era. There is also a new state-of-the art kitchen.

READ MORE: IT’S NOT THE HILTON ... BUT FOR ONE DAY IT WAS

The historic kevington hotel circa 1920.

“We can do up to 300 meals a day, it’s quite regular on long weekends and over Easter,” Wayne said.

There are many original features too, including the original wooden shingles underneath the modern tin roof and native cherry tree veranda posts out the front.

The hotel features a riverside bar, main bar, and entertainment area, a camping ground and eight rooms with capacity for 28 people.

“It’s a good viable business, ready for someone to take to the next level,” Wayne said.

“It would suit someone looking for a lifestyle change with reasonable income. You can make as much as you like depending on how much you work.”

The hotel will be auctioned on April 27 at noon.

Selling agent John Moyle said the real estate portion of the “property had a current rate of value of about $800,000, though the market would determine the price”.

“The turnover is about $11,000 per week,” he said.