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Crocodile Dundee pub sells to Aussie empty nesters

Media release - 24th March, 2014

The mythical home of Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee, the hero of the Australian movie blockbuster, and now the famous Walkabout Creek Hotel at McKinlay, in Northern Queensland, has been sold for a significant six figure sum.

Walkabout Creek HotelThe property has been snapped up by 50-something empty-nesters, Frank and Debbie Wust, who have committed to maintaining the hotel’s iconic status.   

Mr Wust, who since 1990 has been a miner at the Callide Mine, 120 kilometres south-west of Gladstone, was attracted to the idea of buying the Walkabout Creek Hotel on his way to the Boulia Camel Races.

“We were visiting a friend in Boulia, who previously owned an outback hotel himself, and on the way home we stopped at the Walkabout Creek Hotel and the rest is history,” he says.

“Most people buy Harleys when they have a midlife crisis, but we thought we’d buy an outback pub.”

The couple are excited about the next phase of their life, and according to Frank Wust, any fans of the Crocodile Dundee movies will always be welcome at the Walkabout Creek Hotel.

Walkabout Creek HotelAs for the seller, after almost three decades, publican Paul Collins has decided to move on from the successful tourist attraction, located on the Matilda Highway.

“After 28 years behind the bar, Paul had decided to call time on his stint at the illustrious pub, which was originally built in 1900 as the Federal Hotel,” says sales agent, Nathan Henderson, Principal of Raine & Horne Ingham & Beaches.

“Paul is leaving behind a business which does an excellent trade thanks to a steady of flow of tourists attracted by its iconic status, and the miners and local pastoral industry workers who call McKinlay home.” 

Apart from the Walkabout Creek Hotel which has 18 single rooms, there is a caravan park providing 30 powered and unpowered sites, plus two residential houses. There are also sizeable stables and neatly fenced paddocks (with shade) for horses.

“The pub was moved about a kilometre from its original location about 20 years ago following the redirection of the popular Matilda Highway,” says Mr Henderson.

“The pub was renovated at the time, however the character depicted in the Crocodile Dundee movie was maintained.”

To book a stay at the Walkabout Creek Hotel, call (07) 4746 8424.

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

Nathan Henderson, principal Raine & Horne Ingham & Beaches on 0417 840 038

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Coordinator on 02 9258 5400