New life for historic hotel

One of Bunbury’s oldest pubs will reopen on Wednesday after 14 months of renovations which have revamped the historic hotel.

Picture by David Bailey

The Highway Hotel has been given a modern facelift with hints of its former art deco glory and now boasts a sports bar, restaurant and function rooms.

The prominent hotel was built for former Bunbury town councillor, hairdresser, tobacconist and taxi owner Charles Eggleston in 1896.

It opened in July 1897 as the Federal Hotel & Barber’s Shop.

The building had brick walls laid in the English bond pattern and had cast iron lace balustrades on both floors.

It has changed hands a number of times during its 116-year history and was owned by a number of prominent Bunbury families including Ben and Edith Mainstone and Samuel Herbert and Floreaina Hancock.

The facade and interior of the hotel was also altered a number of times — in 1925 it was completely remodelled and in 1938 additions were carried out by builder Aubrey Ausden.

It was renamed the Highway Hotel in 1950 by the then publicans Roy and Keith Hancock who extended the pub along Forrest Avenue and opened one of WA’s first beer gardens.

The brothers operated the hotel with their wives from 1947 until it was sold to the Swan Brewery in 1966.

‘‘We commenced major alterations to the hotel in 1949 and did stage additions from time to time,’’ Roy Hancock told the South Western Times in 1999.

‘‘We introduced beer gardens and extended the beer gardens to allweather purposes to an internal entertainment centre.

‘‘This type of entertainment became very popular and was adopted throughout the hotel industry in WA.’’

The hotel is currently licensed to the Australian Leisure & Hospitality Group Limited who took over the venue five years ago.

Venue manager Mark O’Neill said the pub would offer a wide range of premium beers, pub-style meals and casual dining.

‘‘Wewill have a huge focus on beer with 20 on-tap and many more in stubbies,’’ Mr O’Neill said.

‘‘Many will be local beers such as the Moody Cow and WA locals such as Feral Brewery as well as the traditional beers.’’