The stoic and enigmatic Captains Flat Hotel of Captains Flat has sold to first-timers, local family the Durrs.
The very large-format pub was built c.1937, occupying a 2,024sqm block and the only Hotel in Captains Flat – an historic township south-east of the heart of Canberra.
It came about at a time when the town counted a local population of 3,500 miners, which brought about its need for what was claimed to be the longest bar in the southern hemisphere. The original 32.2 metres was later cut down to a mere 22.8 metres, but it continues a claim this is the longest bar in Australia.
The old boozer, still sporting tiled walls in the public bar, is also home to a legend that beer glasses will mysteriously cling to the wall.
Following the original COVID shutdown, the CFH resumed trading in June of 2020, but complications with the tenant left it closed again and vacant in September.
After a proposed sale fell through during 2021, the vacant freehold was put to market again late last year, with John Buckley and Gary Kelly from RE/MAX acting for the freehold owner, Charlie Micallef.
Marketing suggested opportunity in a few forms for the Hotel, including greater focus on functions and weddings, with no rear neighbours to voice interruption. Areas in the big pub have also been used for alternate purposes, including as the local post office.
The Durr family took the deeds for $900,000, which Buckley reports was pretty close to expectation.
He says it is now back on the path to serving a community where it has been “sorely missed”.
The Durrs are Captains Flat veterans, who have lived in the area a long time and wield suitably big plans they will reportedly unveil in stages.
Tracey Durr told RiotAct the family is currently rebuilding their home, lost to the fires of early 2020, and it could be some time before they can properly focus on the pub.
“We want to take the time and effort to restore her as much as we possibly can.”
