After three decades as custodians, publicans Helen and Steven Hall have made the poignant decision to put the historic Dargo Hotel on the market. The iconic pub, a vital stopover in Victoria's remote Alpine region, has been a fixture for travellers and locals since the gold rush era.
A Living Museum of Memories
Stepping into the Dargo Hotel is like walking into a living museum. Its walls and ceilings are adorned with a unique collection of memorabilia left by patrons over many decades. Perhaps the most striking item is the motorbike suspended from the roof, placed there in 2018 in memory of a regular who organised annual trips through the high country.
"They still come up here for one weekend every September to feel like they're having a few drinks with him," says Helen Hall. This tribute is just one of countless pieces, including stubby holders, number plates, and business cards, that patrons have contributed, creating the pub's distinctive character.
A Pub Steeped in Gold Rush History
The hotel's story began in 1881, when it first opened its doors as the Bridge Hotel to serve goldminers who settled in the area. Remarkably, in its 144-year history, the establishment has had only four owners. Helen, whose family has lived in Dargo for four generations, and Steven have owned it twice.
They first purchased the pub in 1993, sold it in 2004, and then bought it back in 2017 after their children left home. During their tenure, they undertook significant renovations to modernise the historic watering hole, which originally had a separate room for women.
Modernising a Heritage Gem
The couple opened up multiple bar rooms to create a more spacious area, converted old bedrooms into a dining space, and added an outdoor area in the 1990s. Steven also designed and built guest cabins using local timber, a material that features throughout, including in a large, historic ashtray that still sits on the bar.
Despite the updates, the Halls have been careful stewards of the pub's soul. The town of Dargo has a permanent population of just 99 people, making the hotel a crucial social and tourist hub for the entire region.
Time for a New Chapter
Announcing the sale on Boxing Day, Helen explained the couple's reasoning. "We're getting older now and spent 17 years of our life in here pretty much. I think it's time for someone else to bring something new," she said. While welcoming fresh energy, she expresses a heartfelt hope that the new owners will preserve the unique collection of mementoes that tell the pub's long story.
"The patrons have contributed to how this pub looks," Helen notes. "People want to come back in five years and see if what they left is still here." She describes the Dargo Hotel as "a good old country pub" and, with clear affection, adds, "I love everything about it." The search is now on for a fifth owner to write the next chapter for this cherished piece of Victoria's alpine heritage.
