Forbes’ historic Vandenberg Hotel in central western NSW has come to market, as its long-time owners look to exit the game.
The pub is the oldest in the proud town of Forbes, which is around 400-kilometres’ west of Sydney, and the approximate halfway point on the inland drive from Melbourne to Brisbane, making it a popular stop-over.
The town is dissected by the Lachlan River and Lake Forbes, and the Newell Highway (A39), running south-west to north-east.
Built 1862, the Vandenberg has remained continuously licensed, overlooking picturesque Victoria Park, surrounded by heritage buildings. It boasts many of its original features, reinstated and or upgraded.
The current owners purchased the pub in 2002, and have operated it every day since, now admitting they “feel that we are ready to move on”.
It offers guests a public and lounge bar, with new draught systems and live music every weekend, a restaurant and function room serviced by a modern commercial kitchen, beer garden, a newly licensed outdoor dining area at the front, gaming room with five EGMs, and 12 upgraded accommodation rooms plus a 3-bed 2-bath manager’s residence.
The region is central to large industry and agriculture endeavours, such as Forbes Livestock and Selling Centre – one of the largest in Australia – and Moxey Dairies, one of the largest dairy farms in the southern hemisphere.
Its potential has seen real estate values in the area outstrip those of comparable NSW towns, reporting 13.2 per cent appreciation in the past year.
“Located in a growing area of the Central West, Forbes has continued to see growth above other larger regional cities nearby,” says Gilchrist Business Brokers’ Dan Maley, marketing the Hotel for the unnamed vendor.
Maley says it shows “consistent weekly turnover” and would suit an entry-level buyer looking to make their mark.
“This Hotel is ideal for someone looking to get into the industry, offering all aspects of a good and easily-operated country pub.”
The Vandenberg Hotel freehold vacant possession is for sale with asking price of $2.1 million (+SAV).
