A NSW newcomer has picked up the Goonellabah Tavern in the northern rivers region, in one of the largest regional sales of the year.
Goonellabah is part of Lismore, west of Byron Bay, with local resident population of around 14k people and virtually no immediate competition.
It’s popular Tavern, established in 1972, is commonly known as the G’Bah, although it has traded under the name the Hilltop Hotel in recent years.
Set on a 9,100sqm block on Ballina Rd, it holds a 3am liquor licence and features a public bar, bistro, gaming room with 30 GMEs, three motel rooms and a drive-through bottleshop.
Vendor on the sale was John Schlederer, who recently sold the Henry Rous and still owns the Riverview Hotel in Murwillumbah.
Stepping into the G’Bah is Stu Horner, who was previously the licensee and co-owner of the Gracemere Tavern in Rockhampton, sold in October, and the Tavern marks his debut into NSW.
“We would like to thank the vendors for a smooth transition during hand over, and look forward to being the community-focused custodians of this fantastic asset for the foreseeable future,” offers Horner.
According to sources the pub has sold for around $32 million, in what is understood to be the second largest regional pub sale in NSW so far in 2025. It follows Harvest’s recent sale of the Northside Hotel in Albury for $27 million.
The off-market freehold going concern sale of the venue was brokered by HTL Property’s Blake Edwards and Andrew Jolliffe, who cite the “vast” amount of unsatisfied capital looking for opportunities in the sector.
“After a sound 2023 and 2024, sale prices for pubs in regional NSW have reached a new zenith this year, eclipsing even that of the previous highs made around the middle of 2022,” states Edwards.
