16-05-2025
Bunbury's Rose Hotel reno complete at heart of town
The heritage restoration of one of WA's oldest hotels is complete.
After nearly 10 years and $3 million, Bunbury's Rose Hotel is ready for its 160th birthday.
It has been at the heart of Bunbury since 1865, witnessed two world wars and hosted prime ministers.
LocalsCo, a Western Australian hospitality group which specialises in preserving the legacy of historic pubs, bought the State heritage-listed pub in 2015, aiming to restore and refresh it.
The renovation inside was completed in 2017 and work on the outside started nearly two years ago.
The veranda and first-floor balcony have been restored. Brickwork has been tuck-pointed, architraves and decorative ironwork repaired. And there have been some structural repairs.
The hotel's 'Sample Room' is a single-storey, detached brick and iron room where commercial travellers could show their samples and conduct business. It is now the Rose Hotel's liquor store.
A grant of $100,000 from the Heritage Council of Western Australia went towards the $3m in external works.
LocalsCo director Dave Allan says: 'As the current custodians of the Rose, we are honoured to have led this extensive renovation, safeguarding its character while ensuring it remains a local pub for our community for years to come.'
LocalsCo also owns Treendale Farm Hotel in Australind and Eaton Tavern, the Subiaco Hotel and the Bayswater Hotel in Perth, and the Exchange Hotel in Kalgoorlie.
BIG BIRTHDAY
This year is the Rose Hotel's 160th birthday, having first opened as a licensed premises in 1865.
It is one of the oldest licensed establishments in WA and Australia.
Rose Hotel venue manager Mat Jeffries says: 'With a lot to celebrate, we've got big plans for the Rose's 160th birthday this year. Now, with the work complete, we invite the community to once again enjoy the Rose in all its restored splendour.'
The pub is open seven days a week from 11am.
