Hotel
Warrnambool - The Hotel Warrnambool
began life in 1890 as the "Ozone Coffee Palace" and
was one of a growing number of temperance hotels (no alcohol)
to be built in Australia at the time. The three storey hotel
was by far the grandest building in the city with towers, turrets
and balconies ( picture opposite ). By 1910 the novelty had
worn off and the owners realised that owning a "pub with
no beer" was not going to make them rich, in fact the venture
was loosing money rapidly and it was during 1910 that an article
in the local newspaper described the hotel as "almost derelict"
so presumably sections of the hotel had been closed off. Business
continued to worsen and by 1915 the Ozone Coffee Palace closed.
It remained closed until the end of the war and in 1920 a local
entrepreneur ( H R Lawson) renamed it to the Hotel Mansions,
installed a new ballroom and picture theatre and reopened the
hotel. It ran successfully until February 23rd, 1929 when an
electrical fault in the theatre started a fire and although
the hotel had fire hoses on every floor the Hotel Mansions burnt
to the ground
In 1931 work began to build another hotel on the site, however
something more modest in size also this time the hotel was licensed
and in 1932 the new Warrnambool Hotel opened its doors to the
public . It retained some of the former hotels grandeur with
a large formal dining room and quality accommodation upstairs
( which is still in use today). |
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Since then it has remained one of the cities
more up market hotels and even today it is still considered
a businessman's pub. The front bar was transformed some years
ago to give an "English Pub" feel to it, and it
now attracts a more mixed clientele compared to the male dominated
bars of many other hotels. The front bar serves a wide selection
of local and imported beer and is very busy on Friday and
Saturday nights with live music in the bar on Sunday afternoons.
The dining room is a restaurant style and prices and menu
compare well to any of the bistros and clubs in the city.
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The
Elephant Bridge Hotel, Darlington
This elegant bluestone pub was built
in the 1860's and possibly one of the best examples of the two
storey pubs common in this area. ( The Penshurst and Hexham
pubs are quite similar in design)
The pub was renovated in recent years and the rooms upgraded
and now provides good quality accommodation for people looking
for somewhere different to spend a night |
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Mickey Bourkes Hotel, Koroit
Established in 1868 the Koroit Hotel has been
part of the history of Koroit and one of the best know hotels
in the South West. Because of the historical links the local
region has with Ireland, Bourkes Hotel is probably the closest
thing you will get to a genuine Aussie/Irish Pub, in fact
Bourkes was an Irish pub long before it was fashionable.
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The
Hawkesdale Hotel
The Hawkesdale hotel has recently
celebrated its 150th birthday and to quote one of the locals
"doesn't look a day over 100" The pub has a cosy well
stocked front bar the adjoining dining room caters for about
30 guest. The Hawkesdale hotel still provides accommodation
and has 5 room available |
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Star
Of The West Hotel, Port Fairy
Located on the corner of Sackville
and Bank Streets, the Star of the West Hotel was completed in
1856 by John Taylor. An impressive and solid basalt building,
The Star was used by Cobb & Co up until the late 1890's
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Caledonian
Inn, Port Fairy
The Stump as it is affectionately
known, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously
licensed pubs in Australia and dates back to 1843. Still one
of Port Fairy's most popular watering holes.
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The
Panmure Hotel
Although the township of Panmure has
decreased in size it still serves a sizeable population of the
Western district farming comunity and is quite a busy pub. The
pub has a good size bar and dining/ entertainment room and one
of a growing number of country pubs that have returned to Saturday
night entertainment. The pub serves bar meals ( Lunch and Dinner
) six days a week and there is still accommodation available
in the upstairs section of the pub |
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The
Kirkstall Hotel
located about 30kms from Warrnambool
on the Hamilton road the Kirkstall pub is one of the smaller
pub in this area. The pub is typical of many in regional areas
and is a husband and wife operation. |
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Caledonian
Hotel Warrnambool
The Cally is one of Warrnambool's
busiest pubs - Pub TAB in the front bar and four pool tables
and a few Daytona's in the lounge means that the Cally has fairly
diverse range of drinkers ( and punters) and standing room only
on Friday and Saturday nights - not known for its counter meals
but you can still get a reasonable feed at the Cally |
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The
Royal Hotel Warrnambool
Located opposite the Warrnambool Co-Op, the
Royal does good steady business, the family bistro serves
restaurant style counter meals at pub prices and you will
always find a few locals in the front bar. The Royal also
has a PubTAB in the middle bar and possibly best described
as a friendly family style pub
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The
Warrnambool Hotel
Originally one of the cities most
impressive buildings , The Ozone Coffe House ( which was burnt
down in 1929) and the Warrnambool Hotel was built on the original
foundations. Now one of the cities better pubs, with a bit of
an English feel to the interior style. The Warrnambool has a
separate restaurant section with a good a la carte menu, the
same kitchen also provides good quality bar meals. There is
also a good selection of local and imported beer and wine |
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The
Criterion Hotel Warrnambool
One of the few real working men's
pubs still surviving - good bar trade and a good place to catch
a glimpse of a real Aussie country pub. No glitzy decor but
the quality of the beer is paramount - possibly best described
as a Jimmy Barnes style pub - One of Warrnambool's few remaining
live music venues - usually a rock band on Friday and Saturday
nights. The Cri also has a wide selection of countermeals on
the menu |
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The Victoria Hotel
Warrnambool
Right in the centre of town, the Vic has a diverse
clientele, from young backpackers to older regulars. One of
those pubs that seems to be something happening from early in
the morning to late at night - Friday and Saturday nights are
fairly busy - Counter meals run 7 days a week - Beer, food and
hospitality are all good |
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The
Whalers Inn, Warrnambool
The hotel dates back to the 1860's and was originally the "Commercial
Hotel" and for many years a working mans pub - more recently
has been totally refurbished and only the exterior remains unchanged
- now a very up market style pub and popular night spot. Gets
very busy on Friday and Saturday nights and is predominantly
18 -25. Much quieter during the week and early in the evenings
on weekends. ! |
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Planning on Visiting Robe
This Summer???
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Doubles
$110
Family $134 (4)
Click
the picture for more inform-ation on Robe- town Motor Inn
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Robetown
Motor Inn
Quality accommodation
Close to beach and centre of Robe
Commission free on-line booking
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| Apollo
Bay Apollo Bay seems
to have become the new "in" place to visit, as seaside
towns close to Melbourne become increasingly crowded and very
expensive over the summer months. |
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| More people
are now looking for a quiet holiday beside the sea and Apollo
bay is becoming the destination of choice for International
and domestic traveler's alike. If you are looking for accommodation
in Apollo Bay then read our Apollo Bay
Accommodation Guide |
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Lake
Pertobe
Mini Golf
open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM
close to the beach on Pertobe Road Warrnambool
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Port
Campbell one travel writer described
Port Campbell as a windswept village with one pub and a few
take away food places that catered to passing tourists!!
Was he having a bad day or did someone in the town offend him??
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| To find
out more about this historic little coastal township you need
to read our Port Campbell / Peterborough accommodation page
to find out when and where to stay |
| Robe
- a picturesque , historic fishing village
with great beaches in the middle of Australia's premier wine
growing region. It is a little bit off the beaten track which
means that you don't have fight your way through crowds of tourists. |
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| Robe also has great seafood
restaurants, lots of local wineries and loads of history - so
if you are planning a relaxing spring holiday then visit our
Robe Accommodation page |
| Port
Fairy a small historic fishing village
and one of Victoria's earliest settlements. The town has over
50 historically listed buildings and a lot of the town remains
substantially unchanged over the last century |
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| In recent times a lot
of "top end of town" investment money has poured in
the township creating some up market accommodation that has
added to the towns existing motels, B&B's and caravan parks.
So to find out where to stay and how much you will pay then
you should look at out Port Fairy Accommodation
page |
Fletcher
Jones Story
David
Fletcher Jones left school before his 13th birthday and worked
in a small market garden before enlisting in the army and serving
in France during WW1. A shell burst just metres away, left him
severely |
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and he was told by army doctors that he would never work
again. In spite of his injuries, a scant education and a profound
stammer, went on to become the worlds largest clothing manufacturer.
Now some 40 years after his passing, the Warrnambool manufacturing
facility has gone and factory he built has been sold to a developer
- To find out more about this inspirational man then click the
photo or the link above |
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