The Grove Hill Hotel and Museum

Post

Subscribe

The Grove Hill Hotel is situated south of Adelaide River. You can see the hotel signpost on Stuart Highway halfway between Katherine and Darwin. You have to drive about 16km along a dirt road off from Stuart Highway, then you will see a steel frame, corrugated iron building, just like a shed standing up in the middle of nowhere.



The Grove Hill Hotel was built during the mining boom and was established around 1930. Since then, The Grove Hill Hotel has been operating as a licensed hotel. According to Stan Heausler, owner of The Grove Hill Hotel, the hotel was built by a blacksmith and wheelwright. It was built using bits and pieces sourced from the goldfields, reminiscent of a big shed.



As you enter this rustic building, you will be welcomed by dust and cobwebs. I'm not sure why they keep this place like that - s it to keep this hotel and museum rustic?



You can see a cut-down shovel from the mining boom era on display, which according to Stan, was used in a protest when Chinese miners failed to receive a pay rise like the Australian miners did. You can also find rabbit and dingo traps, a child's tricycle, typewriters, old bedsteads, rusty tools, household goods and a lot of old photos from this era in the museum.





According to one of the old pub posters, it is always "Beer O'Clock", so, friends of Stan and other visitors will pull up to Grove Hill Hotel and drink a couple of beers. On the last Saturday of each month, Stan presents a band and invites everyone for a free barbecue.



Grove Hill Hotel and Museum is a must visit venue while you are in the Top End, not only because of its history but also for its beer and the friendly Stan.

#pubs
#near_darwin
#history
#historic_houses
#tourist_attractions
%wndarwin