Publican Sam Cruikshank has put to market his polished Woodenbong Hotel in northern NSW, including an adjoining vacant block of land for further prospects.
Cruikshank and business partner David Dean operate the Turvey Tavern in Mt Austin, and Oriental Hotel in Newcastle.
Late 2019 Cruikshank took on the Woodenbong, as it served as a good mid-point to their other operations. His father has been running the pub.
Woodenbong is in the Scenic Rim of northern New South Wales, north-west of Byron Bay, and a popular destination for tourists, motorcycle groups, hikers and birdwatchers.
This year the Hotel has seen a refresh, bringing a coat of paint throughout, new kitchen, new bar and cellar, and attention to the 14 accommodation suites. It also offers a bistro with lounge seating, two-bedroom manager’s residence, and “huge” beer garden.
The Hotel’s generous 2,023sqm block is adjoined by a vacant corner block of another 1,795sqm that was once used to graze the horses. The stables and sulky rooms are still in place.
The business attracts passing trade from tourism and commercial traffic as well as enjoying great support from the locals, and Cruikshank says there are definite possibilities for the extra land.
“I think someone with a bit of innovation could do something like a community farm or children’s play area,” he says.
“Someone that gets that concept right will absolutely kill it, because there’s nothing around like that. But a buyer may have their own ideas.”
Restrictions resulting from COVID-19 prompted family concerns, bringing about the listing. The assets are being marketed through Leonard Bongiovanni of Manenti Quinlan in conjunction with Deane Moore of Moore & Moore Real Estate.
“They have done a tasteful upgrade. It demonstrates a harmonious country pub atmosphere,” says Bongiovanni.
“But with the travel restrictions Sam’s dad has decided he’d like to be back in Sydney closer to family, which is the motivation behind the ‘Sale or Lease’.”
The Woodenbong Hotel is for lease or freehold sale via Expressions of Interest.
