The picturesque Echuca Hotel on the Murray River is for sale by long-term owner-operator David Connally, for the first time in two decades.
Known by locals as the ‘People’s Hotel’, the award-winning Echuca enjoys double street frontage on main drag High Street through the historic Port of Echuca precinct.
The Port is said to be a “living monument to the 1870s” and is the largest inland port in Australia, once the third-largest in the country, situated 1,720 kilometres from the mouth of the Murray River, in South Australia.
Henry Hopwood was a pioneer of the town and foresaw its growth as river trade developed. He acquired property and built two hotels in the township, the first being the Echuca Hotel, in 1858, and later the Bridge Hotel.
Echuca became a municipality in 1864, and the Bridge Hotel later listed as a building of historic significance in Victoria.
The town’s namesake Hotel is a landmark, comprising multiple bars and TAB, modern bistro seating 220-pax, gaming room with 30 machines, TITO and CRT, and a variety of attractive outdoor spaces and further dining areas, under a 3am licence.
The business holds four titles across 2,668sqm, which includes the well-patronised Campaspe Lodge accommodation suites to the rear of the Hotel, beyond the onsite parking for 34 vehicles, with views of the Campaspe River. They comprise 12 motel rooms, plus a two-bedroom fully self-contained unit.
Vendor on the sale is David Connally, who has owned the property for 20 years and executed significant capital works during the COVID shutdown.
His sale of the pub now, to enjoy some quiet life on the other side of the bar and in a fishing boat, represents only the third time it has gone to market in over 50 years.
No price expectation has been set for the asset, which stands to benefit from fresh eyes.
The townships of Echuca and Moama consistently rank amongst the fastest-growing in their respective states, and are seeing the rising tide of people moving into the area.
Anthony Stevens of Ray White Rural Victoria is managing the campaign, and having lived in Echuca for 10 years feels he knows the town well.
“He’s run an amazing ship there,” Stevens says. “It’s the go-to pub, particularly for tourists.”
Despite having the late licence, Connally typically closes up before midnight, or when the last patron leaves, and misses the parties and activity that takes place in Echuca later at night.
“You’re going to get the traditional pub clientele coming through no matter what, because that’s the kind of pub it is,” suggests Stevens. “The upside is to hook into that significant nightlife – putting on bands or entertainment.”
The freehold going concern of the Echuca Hotel is for sale via Expressions of Interest, closing Thursday, 9 June.
