About Us
A single storey structure hotel known as the Union was the first building situated on the site. The Union became known as the Post Office Hotel in 1901
Cloncurry Post Office Hotel – Circa 1955
Our Story
Where It All Began
A single storey structure hotel known as the Union was the first building situated on the site. The Union became known as the Post Office Hotel in 1901, at that time Mr John Johnson was the owner of the hotel and adjoining shops along Sheaffe Street. Johnson owned and held the licence from 1901 to 1906 when he sold the property to Mr M. W. Phillips.
In 1907 Mr Phillips employed Rooney’s Limited. timber merchants of Cloncurry to design and build a new and modern double story structure.
On completion in 1908, the Hotel was described as one of the finest two storied wooden hotels in Northern Queensland. At the same time, Phillips improved the adjoining shops along Sheaffe Street. Once again Mr John Johnson acquired the property when Phillips sold.
Then in 1913 Johnson sold the hotel and shops to the well-known western banker Mr James Bennett (better known as Daddy Bennett) for £9,000 ($18,000). though the licensee was held by Mr Arthur Moran.
On June 27 1914 at 11.15pm, a fire broke out in a business on the premises. The alarm was raised by Mr Hedclif from the Central Hotel, when he heard the cry of fire, he came to the assistance with a bucket of water, though this was not enough to put the fire our and it soon spread throughout the hotel and adjoining shops.
At the time of the fire Mr James Bennett, the owner of the Hotel and shops was out in the Northern Territory on a business trip. A fire just prior to 1932 claimed a further victory. The hotel as it stands today is the fourth in succession on this site.
Cloncurry Ramsay Street – Circa 1966
The local area
Cloncurry
Cloncurry was proclaimed a town in 1884
Cloncurry is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia.[3][4] In the 2016 census the locality of Cloncurry had a population of 2,719 people.
Cloncurry is known as the Friendly Heart of the Great North West and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017.
Cloncurry was recognised for its liveability, winning the Queensland’s Friendliest Town award twice by environmental movement Keep Queensland Beautiful, first in 2013 and again in 2018.
The first Europeans to traverse these tribal lands of peoples such as the Maithakari and the Wanamara,[citation needed] were Burke and Wills on their epic, and ultimately fatal, transcontinental expedition. The Cloncurry River was named by Burke after Lady Elizabeth Cloncurry, his cousin, with the town eventually taking its name from the river.
Ernest Henry discovered copper in the area in 1867, and the town sprang up to service the Great Australia Mine to the south. Roger Sheaffe established the first pastoral run in the Cloncurry district – “Fort Constantine”. Gold was discovered at Top Camp.
The town was surveyed in 1876. Cloncurry was proclaimed a town in 1884.
Cloncurry Provisional School opened on 19 March 1884.
In 1894 it became Cloncurry State School state school.
To do and see
Cloncurry and the surroundng areas have an abundance of things to do and see.
Old Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine
Originally discovered in 1954 by Norm McConachy and Clem Walton, the Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine and Township were officially opened by Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia and Frank Nicklin, Premier of Queensland in October 1958.
John Flynn Place Museum
John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery is dedicated and tells the story of how Rev John Flynn and his friends started the Royal Flying Doctors Service in Cloncurry in 1928 and the years leading up to the first official flight of this Iconic Australian Services
Useful links:
Outback Queensland website: 15 Things you did not know about Cloncurry
John Flynne Place Museum (Royal Flying Doctors): Click here
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Testimonials
What People are Saying
Post Office Hotel
49 Sheaffe Street, Cloncurry
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Brilliant pub, great meals and friendly service. Great outback old pub 👍
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Great atmosphere and food , cold beer , friendly staff , I will go back another day
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The best Thai beef salad!!
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Inexpensive beers and a friendly staff. What more can you ask for? It’s hard to beat $8 pints.
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Small bar. Decent restaurant and food. Big outdoor smoking area. Reasonable drink prices. Friendly staff.
Hours of Operation
TUE – FRI
10:00am – Till late
SAT – SUN
10:00am – Till late
MON
Closed
Drop Us a Line
Don’t be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!