After nearly half a century of ownership, the well-regarded Mathot family has sold its Ashmont Inn Hotel in Wagga Wagga to a Laundy-O’Hara partnership.
Established in 1978, the Inn has been held ever since by the family, comprising Johanna and Josephus Mathot, and their sister-in-law, Paula Mathot.
Occupying a substantial 4,995sqm lot near Ashmont Mall, the hotel provides public bar, bistro, wagering and gaming room with 20 machines, and retail liquor. It has traded consistently, although it has seen minimal capex reinvestment.
But in line with the city’s upward trajectory, the property holds approved consent for further development, bringing a beer garden and family-oriented facilities that are expected to enhance its appeal and growth profile in the near term.
Adding to their joint collection of pubs in town, the Laundys and the O’Haras have taken the deeds to the Inn for around $13 million, with a steady eye on its prospects and performance “before looking at other opportunities” according to Stu Laundy.
“Our family loves the industry, and as such has a long history of backing people and have done so very successfully with numerous parties across multiple sub-sectors within the asset class.”
Family group patriarch Arthur Laundy recently told the Australian Financial Review he is proceeding cautiously in the current regulatory climate, moving only on an opportunity that “really jumps out”.
Sale of Laundy Hotels did contribute to the more than $2 billion in transactions during 2025, as the partnership with Arthur’s daughter and son-in-law Nick Tindall realised its investment in Gosford’s Settler’s Tavern with a sale to Damian Kelly in November, and in April sale of the greenfield site at Oxley Ridge to Monarch.
Sale of the Ashmont Inn is representative of the interest in strong regional cities and reflects investor focus, seen in veteran publican Peter Griffiths’ acquisition of Wagga’s Flour Mill site last June.
The Inn is a prime example of cashflow with embedded upside, which agents report continues to resonate strongly with experienced operators, who “understand where value is created”.
It came to market in August, in a campaign managed by HTL Property’s Sam Handy, Paddy Dalton and Wagga warhorse Blake Edwards, who has overseen ten of the last eleven hotel sales in town.
The conclusion of almost fifty years of continuous ownership reflects the pub’s legacy, as it ushers in a new future.
“Like many others, this genesis of transaction was a generational decision,” advised Dalton.
“The Mathot family built this venue, backed it through decades of change, and chose the timing carefully.”
As one of the state’s strongest growth regions, the Riverina city has benefited from population growth and investment in infrastructure to become a regional capital.
“Buyers are increasingly prepared to underwrite long-term fundamentals rather than short-term volatility,” explains Edwards.
