Rockhampton's Victoria Tavern on the market for the first time in 44 years

Fourth-generation publican Sue Mitchell has run the local watering hole for 30 years, and her family has run several hospitality venues in the Rockhampton region for 60 years.

“The pub is the longest-running family-operated independent hotel in the region and has stood the test of time as a solid business within the ever-changing hotels industry,” Mitchell said.

“The diverse mix of income streams has provided a good balance during different trading periods and economic conditions.”

The two-storey Victoria Tavern sits on busy Musgrave Street and includes a main bar, a bistro, a beer garden with container bars, a gaming room, a rooftop dining area, a function space and a dual-lane drive-through bottle shop.

The Skyfire Brazilian barbecue restaurant on the pub’s second storey is popular with locals and visitors.

Also on offer in the sale is a 1500-square-metre vacant lot behind the hotel, with preliminary plans for a large-format liquor store and drive-through coffee shop.

The 3330-square-metre property sits opposite parkland with a racecourse and sports fields for multiple football codes. It is also close to local businesses and accommodation, including a backpackers and caravan park.

Mitchell said the family had completed several improvements to the Victoria Tavern over the years, but it was now time to hand it over to new owners.

“We feel new owners could take the hotel onto the next stage of development,” she said.

The property is being sold by Knight Frank via an offers-to-purchase campaign and is expected to fetch about $5.5 million.

Knight Frank agent Tony Fenlon said the hotel market was strong in Rockhampton and this property offered huge potential for buyers.

“Victoria Tavern is only 600 metres from the Rockhampton CBD and is well exposed, located on one of the busiest thoroughfares within Rockhampton, with access to North and South Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast beaches,” he said.

“Hotels with the complete package like Victoria Tavern, including gaming, retail liquor and a strong on-premises trade, are in strong demand from buyers.