Recent renovation projects reveal savvy hoteliers are doing their best to appeal to tourists and locals alike
, the oldest surviving pub in the town of 700 people. First opened in 1855, it now boasts luxury accommodation, a fine dining restaurant and a casual dining space.
The building marries the existing 19th-century stone and brick of the bar and bistro on the southern side with a fine dining restaurant,, on the northern. The two are connected by a new stepped pathway flanked by native plants, embracing the owner’s passion for preserving the history of the original site.
Keeping such original features is key to maintaining the history of Australia’s pubs and the industry of the areas they are built in.. A bustling highway pit stop and dining destination for surrounding towns, the inn is now owned by Luke Dryland, who vows to never throw in the towel on running a local pub for the community to be proud of.
“You can gut it and bring all of this modern stuff in … but people love the ‘imagine if walls could talk’ kind of feel,” Dryland says. He started with a big emphasis on the dining experience at the inn, but has since pared back the menu, finding it hard to maintain on increasingly busy weekends.“We’re a bit out of the way so we need to make sure our product is always at a good standard. It’s a no-brainer: if the product is good, the word gets out.”
Led by architect Darryl Lock, renovations maintained the period features, including restoration of pressed metal ceilings, replacing termite-damaged flooring with 100-year-old recycled ironbark floorboards, and an original but extended corridor connecting the bar. Two dining spaces are lined with historical photos of Willow Tree donated by locals.