Hotel Koorawatha — Restaurant in Koorawatha

There is an interesting history in the town of Koorawatha... this is where a gun battle between police and the bushranger Ben Hall took place. On 20 May 1864 Hall, ably assisted by Tom Gordon and Jimmy Dunleavy attempted to hold up the Bang Bang Hotel (demolished in the 1940s) but found themselves involved in a desperate gun battle with two policemen. Hall and his accomplices were forced to retreat. ||||In current times there remains this pub on the corner on their main road. When I called it because I was desperate for accommodation... I didn't quite know where I was heading. The staff and owners here are incredibly welcoming. ||||The rooms have been refreshed in recent times and I was quite surprised to see them so bright and airy. There is an amazing verandah with gorgeous views upstairs. The stairs are like many old buildings... care will need to be taken and the upper level is not accessible to anyone with mobility issues. They also have a kitchen upstairs for guests with breakfast items. ||||Downstairs this pub has all the character one would expect from an Australian pub... including the locals with their unusual stories. I particularly found a gentleman called Kiwi to be interesting as he shared his stories of living without electricity, losing his beloved wife and about his travels. But it wasn't only him that added to the charm. The owner also told me about his father working on the railways and how busy the yards were in his youth. Another gentleman who worked as a safety advisor, James also shared his story over a few drinks. ||||My visit here was one I may never forget... it's an unique Oz-tralian experience to stay in an old pub. I giggle thinking back on it because there were no blinds on the bedroom windows for when you wanted to change, but then the bathroom locks do not work...so it's not like you are comfortable to change anywhere! The toilet door lock jams into place, but once jammed I found I was locked in there for about ten minutes while I pulled on it struggling to reopen it. But if those locks were fixed, there would be nothing to make me giggle!! I changed and showered with those faulty locks and figured that if any of the others staying were traumatised because of what they had seen... that was falling squarely back...

There is an interesting history in the town of Koorawatha... this is where a gun battle between police and the bushranger Ben Hall took place. On 20 May 1864 Hall, ably assisted by Tom Gordon and Jimmy Dunleavy attempted to hold up the Bang Bang Hotel (demolished in the 1940s) but found themselves involved in a desperate gun battle with two policemen. Hall and his accomplices were forced to retreat. ||||In current times there remains this pub on the corner on their main road. When I called it because I was desperate for accommodation... I didn't quite know where I was heading. The staff and owners here are incredibly welcoming. ||||The rooms have been refreshed in recent times and I was quite surprised to see them so bright and airy. There is an amazing verandah with gorgeous views upstairs. The stairs are like many old buildings... care will need to be taken and the upper level is not accessible to anyone with mobility issues. They also have a kitchen upstairs for guests with breakfast items. ||||Downstairs this pub has all the character one would expect from an Australian pub... including the locals with their unusual stories. I particularly found a gentleman called Kiwi to be interesting as he shared his stories of living without electricity, losing his beloved wife and about his travels. But it wasn't only him that added to the charm. The owner also told me about his father working on the railways and how busy the yards were in his youth. Another gentleman who worked as a safety advisor, James also shared his story over a few drinks. ||||My visit here was one I may never forget... it's an unique Oz-tralian experience to stay in an old pub. I giggle thinking back on it because there were no blinds on the bedroom windows for when you wanted to change, but then the bathroom locks do not work...so it's not like you are comfortable to change anywhere! The toilet door lock jams into place, but once jammed I found I was locked in there for about ten minutes while I pulled on it struggling to reopen it. But if those locks were fixed, there would be nothing to make me giggle!! I changed and showered with those faulty locks and figured that if any of the others staying were traumatised because of what they had seen... that was falling squarely back...

Hotel Koorawartha is one of those GREAT country pubs in what seems to be in the middle of nowhere. But it isn't, it is only about 20 minutes from Cowra. The publicans James and Heidi, are fantastic people who are friendly to all that enter the pub. It is neat and tidy and has a lot of charm. The townies and farmies are just as friendly. Steve the chef has traditional pub meals up for grabs and God they are tasty. And I mean TASTY.

My wife and I have stayed there twice now upstairs and the rooms are very neat and tidy and bathrooms clean. We have had a varity of food off the menu being, garlic bread, calamari for entrée, (YUM) and rump steak, chicken schnitzel, bangers and mash with veg (YUM) for mains.

Around the area there are a few fresh produce stands on the side of the road with honesty system. The produce was fresh and delicious. We just got a dozen fresh farm eggs and a whole pumpkin.

And we can't forget Banjo the Border Collie who keeps the semi's out. LOL. Runs up and down in the pub whenever he hears a semi going past. Very funny to watch and he is a beautiful tempered dog.

Well done guys you are ripping it in atmosphere, beer/drinks and FOOD. You have the trifecta going keep it up and see you next time.

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