Well, on January 29, 2024 there was a big flood from ex-Tropical Cyclone 'Kirrily'. Down here in Tasmania I don't believe we heard about it as that particular cyclone was too far away in the outback in Queensland.
The pub was submerged in three feet of water after 400-500 mm of rain fell in the area. The hotel is located on the banks of the Diamantina River, and is a historic pub with a rich history in Australian folklore. It was a staging post for Cobb and Co. coaches in the 1860's.
The pub's publican said the repair bill would be about $500,000-$600,000 AUD. There was at the time a Go Fund me page set up and I don't know if the pub is fully functional at this time.
We have been through this area a few times in our travels, called in to view the inside of the pub and it certainly was and is different. Writing on the wall, you pay to do that with a donation going to the Royal Flying Doctors. The photos tell the story.
Enjoy the photos of this unique hotel. The first 3 photos are from the internet and the remainder were taken by myself. Yes, I played the piano.
What a beautiful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteFloods are not fun, that happens regularly in the Netherlands in recent years, there has been so much rain this year, it is really not normal anymore.
Nice those caps that are all hanging on the wall.
Greetings Irma
Thank you Irma. Dreadful are floods just can't stop them.
DeleteInteresting to note you have floods too.
Espero que con la ayuda solitaria, estas víctimas de las inundaciones puedan retomar su vida diaria y restaurar los desperfectos que se han producido.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Hopefully it's all over with now.
DeleteThe first images are impressive, with everything flooded.
ReplyDeleteThe restaurant is very beautiful, traditional and welcoming.
Fantastic photos!
Thank you Maria. Interesting hotel to visit.
DeleteA terrible flood!
ReplyDeleteYes just dreadful, Anne.
DeleteΠροκειτε για μεγάλη ποσότητα νερού!
ReplyDeleteΤο εσωτερικό της παμπ είναι πολύ ωραίο
Several places along in that area some distance apart get flooded unfortunately once in awhile.
DeleteGood pub to visit.
Margaren, nature offers us wonderful spectacles but sometimes it is scary.
ReplyDeleteIt is scary and destructive unfortunately.
DeleteLe prime immagini sono veramente impressionanti!!! È incredibile quale sia la potenza dell' acqua. È indubbiamente più distruttiva del fuoco... Anche perché non c'è modo di fermarla.
ReplyDeleteLe foto dell' hotel sono magnifiche
Cosa hai suonato di bello al pianoforte?
I played a song called 'He'll have to go', I didn't think the listeners would appreciate classical music.
DeleteFire often can be stopped but floods can't.
What an amazing place. I do hope it has been restored and is back in business again. And what a great cause to support.
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing to visit and see EC. I guess some of the restoration work is done. I can't seem to find out on the internet if it's all done. There is a small caravan area at the back where people can stay.
DeleteWhat a unique pub! The flood pictures, esp. the one with everything flooded, are just sad.
ReplyDeleteAlways sad to see floods, people often lose everything and have to start all over again.
DeleteWhat an incredible piece of history! It's fascinating how The Blue Heeler pub has such a deep connection to Australia's folklore, especially with its association to "Waltzing Matilda." It’s sad to hear about the devastating flood, but it’s heartening that the community is rallying together to restore this iconic place. I hope the repairs go smoothly, and the pub can continue to share its rich legacy with travelers for years to come. The photos you shared truly highlight the charm and uniqueness of the pub. Thanks for sharing this story!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. Friendly and helpful people owned the pub when we went through there and called in, it's as if you have known them all your life.
DeleteWhat a terrible flood! I enjoyed very much looking at the photoes from the pub!Cosy place and what a wonderful time😊
ReplyDeleteDreadful flood in 2024. We had a good time there at the pub Anita. It was a dreadful flood as it spread far and wide but the area is very flat there.
DeleteThat was quiet the place. The flood did lots of damage which is sad.
ReplyDeleteYes it's sad and a lot of money to clean up and replace most of the stuff.
DeleteAll those wonderful photos, help people realise how much was lost due to the flood, it is so sad that has happened
ReplyDeleteYes it is sad Jo-Anne but we know our country you and I, fire and floods in a lot of areas.
DeleteBanjo Patterson and Christina Macpherson's creation of "Waltzing Matilda" within the pub's dining room adds an extra layer of cultural richness. The song's timeless appeal continues to resonate, as demonstrated by Delta Goodrem's rendition
ReplyDeleteInteresting history in that area for sure. I rather like Delta singing Waltzing Matilda.
DeleteWhat a fabulous Hotel! I think I'd like to see that for myself one day, though not in hurricane season. I wonder if The Blue Heeler was the inspiration for "Bluey"?
ReplyDeleteDon't think so re Bluey EC but Bluey was loosely based on the Australian Blue Heeler dogs, so I read.
DeleteWorth a visit to read the walls.
No wonder the Blue Heeler became so historically important. Being a staging post for Cobb and Co coaches, and the inspiration for Banjo Patterson were vital events!
ReplyDeleteCertainly very vital for the outback, and Cobb and Co coaches visiting many other towns out that way too, Hels. Their journey was a flat one as in land.
DeleteWhat great photos of an iconic pub, with a juke box. I wonder how old the discs were. I hope it has recovered after the disaster. I've always thought Diamantina, as in the river, is such a lovely name.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew. From memory the discs for the juke box were songs such as Elvis, Neil Diamond, around that era, as in Kenny Rogers, a few of our country singers, a variety also as I remember reading the list and remember it.
DeleteGorgeous name Diamantina and it's a wonder someone hasn't called their child by that name.
There is a Diamantina Shire, interesting.
The name Diamantina comes from Lady Diamantina Bowen, the wife of Sir George Bowen, the first Governor of Queensland..
It looks amazing, I enjoyed your photographs.
ReplyDeleteI hope it has recovered after the floods.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan. Hopefully it's fully recovered now, haven't found anything to say it hasn't.
DeleteWhat a cool place.. love all the writing on the walls. Sorry to hear about the flooding. Climate change is wreaking havoc.
ReplyDeleteAll the area out that way gets flooded once in a while as long as I can recall, thank goodness it doesn't happen to often to that extent.
DeleteThe writing on the walls, very interesting plus it's raising money at the same time for the Flying Doctors which the outback relies on.
Querida amiga, lamento las inundaciones, pero se ve un lugar precioso, ojalá que pronto lo restauren.
ReplyDeletepreciosas imágenes
Abrazos y te dejo un besito
*♥♫♥**♥♫♥**♥♫♥*--*♥♫♥**♥*
Thank you Liz. Hopefully it's all restored now.
DeleteNo conocía la canción es muy linda y el local aun sigue a pesar los problemas . te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I guess many people don't know the song but most Australians do, it's often sung.
DeleteWhat a wonderful place that would be, so full of history and great character. These floods can cause much devastation. I learned something new today thanks to you, that Banjo Patterson wrote Waltzing Matilda. I still love that beautiful song. My Dad would play it on the piano and I would sing it with him. I used to know every verse but only remember one or two now. Thanks for another great post Margaret!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Denise. It's a good song and I like it and I've never known all the verses of by heart.
DeleteInteresting your Dad played it on the piano...good memory for you Denise.
Wow we have been down that road but I don't remember seeing the pub. But then my memory is not the best. There are a lot of these type of pubs in the outback. A great series of photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane. The pub doesn't stick right out, if I remember it was the Blue Heeler dog that caught my eye on the roof.
DeleteDelta's rendition gave me goosebumps. It's such a great Australian song.
ReplyDeleteA great song and I too love Delta singing that song.
DeleteThank you for the beautiful photo series.
ReplyDeleteIt is terrible that all of this was flooded.
Hello Margaret
ReplyDeleteAn extraordinary story of a pub that has had such a tragic history. It is worth recording and documenting such events. The most important thing is that the pub survived and continues to operate.
In my town there was also a beautiful roadside restaurant - "Zielona Gęś" Inn next to the car park a few meters from the river. During heavy rainfall 14 years ago, the rising waters washed away the foundations and the entire building collapsed into the river. Of course, permission for reconstruction was never granted, so to this day there is only an empty car park. Maybe I will write a post about it someday, because I have a few photos from the time when it was still standing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmnbYkdzLtY
Many good things in this new year 2025, health and joy Margaret for your whole family!