The family-owned IMG Hotels has nearly doubled its growing stable with the portfolio purchase of five venues from one of the multi-generational stalwarts of regional NSW, Tamworth Pub Group.
Representing one of the largest regional NSW pub transactions in recent years, IHG has paid $160 million for the group, comprising the Longyard Hotel – a destination for live music and good times, “where Tamworth comes to play!” – the city’s go-to pub for punters and sports fans, the Southgate Inn, the Family Hotel – hosting “good times for all ages” – and local gem “where everyone’s welcome” The Pub, as well as Brittan’s Brewery.
The venues are across Tamworth’s high-growth southern corridor, collectively including over 2-Ha of freehold land, accommodation, 108 electronic gaming machines and three retail liquor outlets
The Pub Group – also known as TPG Hotels and Tamworth Pub Group – spans three generations of Tamworth locals who “live and breathe Aussie pubs”, shaping hospitality in Australia’s country music capital through “fresh ideas, bold energy, and a genuine passion for bringing people together”.
TPG has been the passion of pub icon Bevan Douglas, 2015 winner of the National AHA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame in 2018.
Late 2021 Tamworth locals Craig and Tierzah Power bought into TPG Group with Oscars Hotel Group, headed by Bill and Mario Gravanis, from the Douglas estate.
The TPG joint venture still holds Tamworth hot spot Moonshines and accommodation suites the Ibis Styles.
Tamworth is seeing sustained growth, underpinned by infrastructure investment and economic expansion and a growing population of more than 65k residents. The city hosts nationally recognised events, most importantly the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival, and proceedings at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC).
IMG previously held a footprint of eight venues across key regional centres such as Dubbo, Wellington, Mudgee, Orange, Bathurst, Mittagong and Cabarita.
The group saw the TPG collection as a well-managed and diversified portfolio with strong economic fundamentals, making for a “compelling opportunity” and natural geographic extension to its existing pubs, providing operational synergy.
MD Andrew Turnbull is a former chartered accountant and speaks of the Group’s long-term strategy, investing aggressively into its venues – particularly in food & beverage, and accommodation where possible – to optimise their potential.
“Just as importantly, these venues are deeply embedded within their local communities,” he adds.
“We want to acknowledge and commend the outgoing owners – Craig & Tierzah Power and Oscars Hotel Group – for building an exceptional team and collection of businesses.
“We are fortunate to acquire such high-quality assets and look forward to continuing their legacy within each community.”
This big-ticket transaction is yet another milestone in the booming pub sector that has already seen hundreds of millions in pub deals in 2026 in NSW alone, on the back of more than $2 billion spent around the country in 2025, across 179 sales.
Selling agents JLL Hotels’ John Musca and Kate MacDonald say the TPG transaction reflects the strength and continued demand for high-quality regional hotels.
“Cornerstone to these sale outcomes is understanding the varying capital drivers at each market level, and the boardroom strategies of industry stakeholders,” says Musca.
