Brought back from the brink of oblivion, Uralla locals have turned the town’s historic local into one of a growing number of regional tourism destinations.
In 2021, PubTIC reported on a Roche Group acquisition, when the group purchased Uralla’s Bolt Inn from the Moore family.
However, less than a year later the dilapidated pub changed hands again, this time to locals Peter and Sally Strelitz, owners of multi-award-winning Milly Hill Meat, who supply to top end venues throughout New South Wales and Queensland.
While admitting they thought the renovation would be a lot simpler than it was, the couple recognised the potential in the property as well as the excellent position, both locally and regionally.
The Strelitz’s oversaw meticulous renovations that preserved the character of the grand Victorian-style pub and now offer visitors a taste of country hospitality with city know-how.
The Bolt Inn was built in 1909. While initially named the Imperial Hotel, in the 1970s it was renamed in honour of the ‘gentleman bushranger’ Captain Thunderbolt, once known to roam the area.
Uralla is a thriving rural economy and home to over 6,000 people, on the New England Highway between regional hubs Tamworth and Armidale. It boasts high-value agricultural enterprises and consistent tourism appeal, courtesy of a strong arts and cultural scene and quality dining and hospitality offerings.
The couple were surprised that their investment into the pub saw a new influx of guests eager to see what Uralla had to offer.
They were determined to supply top-of-the-range meat as part of the dining experience.
“We want everyone to have a great food experience in the country, so people can appreciate what’s out there,” Peter told PubTIC.
The Bolt Inn is just one venue that now offers a high-class regional experience.
Increasingly both local and international travellers are looking for a unique and genuine connection to food sources, from farm life to paddock-to-plate experiences.
Whether it’s a regional hotel transforming into a retreat while retaining its historic feel, or a winery branching out into gigs on the family property, or lessons in sustainable farming before hitting the family-owned pub, creative diversification is becoming a lifeline for regional tourism.
According to research from the CSIRO, agritourism is likely to add $18.6 billion annually to Australia’s economy in the next five years.
“What I found was that local people were excited to have the pub back and it was the talk of the towns around it too,” says Peter.
