Betoota Hotel in outback Queensland to reopen a month before the beer arrives

“We’ve done so much work there and put in so many changes,” said new owner Robert ‘Robbo’ Haken, a smash repair businessman in Logan, Queensland, who bought the pub “for a gift of a price” after the former publican handed it to the owners of the Birdsville Hotel on his death.

“It’s now looking great and we’re just finishing the kitchen and doing some more wiring and plumbing, with the carpenters putting on new doors. But unfortunately our licence won’t come through in time for the re-opening, so we’re just telling people to BYO liquor and we’ll sell soft drinks, food, fuel, mementos and firewood.”

The pub’s owner Robert Haken. Photo: Supplied

The pub, famed for being in a town with a population of one – the publican – is a real outback landmark but fell into disrepair and disuse after the last eccentric owner, Polish migrant Simon ‘Ziggy’ Remienko, fell ill, closed up, moved away and later died.

Since then, many have inspected the premises but, because of its isolation as the only building on the entire 400-kilometre dirt road between its two neighbouring towns, felt it would be too difficult to restore and run.

But Mr Haken, who fell in love with the pub when he visited 30 years ago, decided it could be a great adventure to take it on. After a painstaking renovation, he now plans to open it in time for the arrival of vehicles bringing concertgoers to the annual Big Red Bash, from July 10 to July 13 this year.

Billed as the world’s most remote music festival, on the edge of the Simpson Desert near Birdsville, it attracts thousands of people every year. This year, performers include John Farnham, The Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels and Daryl Braithwaite.

“We’ll be up there and open ready for all the people on their way to go and see them,” said Mr Haken, 56, who also runs sheep and cattle at Genmorgan, about 400 kilometres west of Brisbane.

The Betoota Hotel in the 1990s. Photo: Robert Haken

“Unfortunately the licence won’t be in by then but it should come through by the end of the month, well in time for the Betoota Races on August 25, and then the Birdsville Races in September.

“Everything will be working by then, and the showers functioning too with plenty of room for camping. We’ll also have some entertainment going on. The locals have all been so supportive.”

Mr Haken bought the pub from David Brook and Kym Fort who rebuilt the iconic Birdsville Hotel after a devastating fire in 1979, and have also carried out a complete renovation to the Innamincka Hotel 400 kilometres away.

Kym Fort’s wife Jo, the general manager of both pubs, as well as the founder of 4WD route The Outback Loop – the mix of three outback tracks, Birdsville, Strzelecki, and Oodnadatta – that connects the two, said they were thrilled when Mr Haken came forward to take on the Betoota Hotel.

“It’s fantastic to have someone with so much energy, passion for the outback and motivation to do this,” said Ms Fort. “It’s a beautiful old building in a lovely spot.

“We’ve always loved the place but knew it would take so much hard work to renovate it. But we’re so excited too that it’s a Queenslander who’s doing this, and someone who’s engaging so well with everyone.”

But it’s been a much bigger job than even Mr Haken envisaged. “We had to bring every nut, bolt and screw and plank of wood with us to the site,” he said.

“There was absolutely nothing there.

“The locals have been great, though, and all the contractors in the area have been keen to lend a hand. But if the actual renovation was much harder than I’d thought, the paperwork with the licence was even harder.

“We can’t wait to open the doors and put Betoota back on the map again.”

After it opens Mr Haken plans to spend every winter in Betoota offering fuel, vehicle and caravan repairs, beds for tourists – particularly for grey nomads – food and a breakdown service.