Long-established Riverina pub the South Hay Hotel is being sold as a going concern, as the passive owner and tenant join forces while the sun shines.
The large, single level pub boasts strong local heritage and a loyal customer base.
It occupies a high-visibility corner site of 4,780sqm zoned RU5 Village, opposite the Hay South BIG4 Caravan Park, capturing trade from locals, tourists and travellers.
The pub comprises main bar, dining service, gaming room with three machines (Band 3 entitlements), outdoor seating and family-friendly facilities, and bottleshop.
Operations benefit from extended trading hours and courtesy bus services on weekends, while the gaming operation has potential upside in replacing updated hardware or the business may prosper from leasing out the licences.
Across departments it generates around $27k weekly revenue, with more than half coming through the bar and 40 per cent courtesy of the bistro.
Importantly, the South Hay has earned high public ratings across review platforms, achieving ‘Traveller’s Choice’ recognition on Tripadvisor.
Set on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Hay is roughly equidistant between Sydney and Adelaide and at the centre of the Long Paddock driving route stretching from the Victorian border to Wilcannia.
It has been one of Australia’s major wool producing regions since the 1850s, sporting the Australian Shearers Hall of Fame as a local attraction.
Furthering the historic appeal, the Hay Gaol, built in 1878, has become the Dunera Museum. It showcases the town’s past, such as when thousands of German, Austrian, Italian and Japanese men were interred there during World War II.
The Riverina town is also home to some major events, welcoming the Hay Rodeo in March and the Hay Merino Sheep Show in June. The annual Hay Races is the biggest country race meeting in NSW and in April locals also gather for the Booligal Sheep Races, an hour north, in Booligal.
Country publicans Ben Thomson and Marie Watt have been operating the pub for the past five years.
Looking to pass the keys to a new tenant they approached the freehold owner, a passive investor, who opted to join them and re-staple the hotel to list as a freehold going concern.
Together they are looking to a sale price of $2.5 million for the title and business and have engaged Manenti Quinlan’s Len Bongiovanni to market the asset.
Sales literature outlines the South Hay Hotel’s competitive advantage as an authentic ‘old-style’ regional pub, appealing to travellers seeking genuine country hospitality.
“Customer reviews consistently highlight the venue’s friendly service, welcoming country character, generous portions, and high-quality pub meals, contributing to its strong reputation among visitors and repeat customers,” notes Bongiovanni.
