The historic Hotel Canberra of Ballarat is being revived under the captaincy of two brothers and a chef, as the region blooms as a tourism destination and grows a reputation for dining and boutique accommodation.
Previous known as The Columbian, Vine Hotel and the Rose of Denmark, the pub was built in the 1880s and is a recognised part of Ballarat’s history.
It occupies a 780sqm corner lot, with off-street parking, a short walk from Lake Wendouree. In early 2022 it was offered for sale on a ‘walk-in, walk-out’ basis, including all furnishings and fittings.
Answering the call came Pete Dillon, bringing a background in journalism and marketing, alongside his brother, Paul, and once Rockpool chef Jeris ‘Jigs’ Liwanag. The team say they were out to create a destination space that reflected their collective skills set.
First up in the multi-stage renovation was the accommodation, which opened to the public late 2022. Designed for flexible self-contained letting, with separate access and security, it currently comprises a one-bedroom and a three-bedroom apartment, each styled in Art Deco features, with marble accents. The rooms start at $200 per night.
In the future the three-bedroom suite may be divided into three individual apartments.
Next came Bobby’s wine-centric bar, at the front of the pub, along with The Stables cafe and bar in front of the century-old horse stables. Still in consideration is a revamp of the café to connect it with the courtyard.
Earlier this year fine-dining centrepiece Vesta x Jigs arrived, adorned with chain chandeliers and heritage panel walls. Vesta x Jigs offers six- and eight-course degustations starting at $100 per person.
The f&b menus are triumphantly 100 per cent Victorian throughout the pub, even using herbs grown onsite. The dining menu changes every week, and each month there is a ‘maker’s dinner’ themed around local producers, providing them outlet for people to experience their wares. Themes have included Christmas in July, Street Food and the Best of British.
While the kitchen pays the workload price for the constant changes, Pete says it was a “deliberate decision” that they believe is a genuine opportunity.
The dining options are influenced by Jigs’ Filipino heritage, which has resonated with locals, particularly the strong Filipino community in Ballarat.
Roughly an hour and a half west of Melbourne, Ballarat was recently named the top tourist town in Victoria by the state’s Tourism Industry Council.
