NT pub sale offers chance to commune over a beer with crocs

''It's a lifestyle. You won't make a fortune but you'll have a lot of fun,'' is Stan Haeusler's message to prospective buyers of the Grove Hill Heritage Hotel.

By InvestSMART · 11 Jul 2012

By InvestSMART ·
11 Jul 2012

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''It's a lifestyle. You won't make a fortune but you'll have a lot of fun,'' is Stan Haeusler's message to prospective buyers of the Grove Hill Heritage Hotel.

''IT'S a lifestyle. You won't make a fortune but you'll have a lot of fun,'' is Stan Haeusler's message to prospective buyers of the Grove Hill Heritage Hotel in the heart of the old Katherine goldfields.

Looking out from the beer garden across the railway line you can see his point.

It's an hour and a half's drive from Darwin, then 20 kilometres off the highway to the squat, white, corrugated iron shed that houses the Grove Hill hotel and museum, which goes to auction tomorrow.

In the wet season ''you'll get the occasional python or crocodile in here'', Mr Haeusler says. ''Only the little ones because we're only two kilometres down from Margaret River.

''It's a good licence, six o'clock in the morning 'til two o'clock in the morning, 365 days of the year,'' Mr Haeusler boasts, although he admits that the last kilometre of dirt road can put the tourists off.

When the pub was built from the scraps of the goldfields in 1935, the local rush was on its deathbed but the Overland Telegraph, the Stuart Highway and the new North Australian Railway line were all on the doorstep.

Telstra has replaced the telegraph, but the resources boom still sends a train a day of iron ore past the door, and the Ghan and freight train drivers toot when they see the lights on.

Grove Hill's isolation is half its charm.

One of the barmaids, Candy, rides her Harley-Davidson out from Darwin to work at the pub. ''I just love it here. I've been doing this for about four years.''

Free camping and peace and quiet are drawcards, but the collection of museum pieces is what sets Grove Hill apart from regular pubs - rusty tools and blacksmith irons, a portrait of Elvis, and a bathtub belonging to Margaret Lucy, the pub's first licensee.

''I bought it at 65 when I should have retired,'' says Mr Haeusler, now on the edge of actual retirement, but buying Grove Hill was his chance to fulfil the childhood dream of owning a pub.

He and his wife Mary took over in 2000. A two-metre sign, ''Under New Management, Stan and Mary'' hangs at the front door, declaring the couple's excitement at their arrival 12 years ago.

Returning to Darwin to retire was the couple's next dream, but a week after the pub was listed for auction Mary Haeusler died.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the Grove Hill Heritage Hotel for sale and who is selling it?

The Grove Hill Heritage Hotel is a remote pub and on-site museum in the old Katherine goldfields that is being sold at auction. Longtime publican Stan Haeusler, who bought the place in 2000, is offering it as a lifestyle sale — he describes it as fun rather than a get-rich venture.

Where is the Grove Hill Hotel located and how easy is access for visitors?

Grove Hill is about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Darwin, then roughly 20 kilometres off the highway — the last kilometre is a dirt road that can deter some tourists. Its isolation is part of the appeal but also a factor for buyer due diligence.

What are the pub licence hours and trading opportunities at Grove Hill?

According to the owner, the hotel has a broad licence: six o’clock in the morning until two o’clock in the morning, 365 days a year. That long trading window could support events, breakfast trade and late-night service, subject to local regulation and operating capability.

What draws tourists and customers to a remote pub like Grove Hill?

Grove Hill’s drawcards include free camping, peace and quiet, a quirky museum collection (rusty tools, blacksmith irons, a portrait of Elvis and the original licensee’s bathtub), regular iron-ore trains and the Ghan passing by, plus the rustic, isolated atmosphere that many travellers seek.

Are there wildlife or seasonal risks buyers should be aware of when buying a rural pub in the Katherine region?

The article notes that in the wet season visitors may sometimes spot pythons or small crocodiles — the hotel is about two kilometres from the Margaret River. Seasonal weather, wildlife and remote access are practical considerations for operations, insurance and guest safety.

Is Grove Hill historically significant and what does 'Heritage' mean in its name?

Grove Hill dates back to 1935 and was built from scraps of the goldfields; the hotel markets itself as the Grove Hill Heritage Hotel and features a collection of historical artefacts in its on-site museum. The article describes its history and character, though it does not specify any formal heritage listing.

What type of buyer might be interested in buying a pub like Grove Hill?

As the owner himself says, Grove Hill is a lifestyle opportunity — suited to buyers who value hands-on hospitality, a remote lifestyle and tourism trade rather than those strictly seeking high-return investments. It could appeal to operators who enjoy running a themed or heritage-focused pub and camping spot.

What should prospective buyers expect at the auction and what due diligence is recommended?

The article reports the hotel was listed for auction. Prospective buyers should inspect the licence conditions, road access and infrastructure, museum inventory, seasonal demand patterns, staffing realities (the article mentions a barmaid who travels from Darwin), and any outstanding maintenance. Personal visits and checks on local tourism drivers — such as mining trains and the Ghan — are also sensible.