A ‘good old country pub’, like the Billinudgel Hotel (founded in 1898) has always played an important part in the community, and if you’re used to visiting a soulless modern concrete suburban ‘tavern’ in your city/suburb, you’ll understand why that’s so important. Why both locals and visitors appreciate the family’s commitment to preserving the historical nature of this particular pub which was, for example, a favourite haunt of long-time Echo and national political columnist, the late Mungo MacCallum, after too many renovations stole the soul of his previous pub.
After the railway was built, from a work camp at the nearby ‘Salad Bowl’ in the 1890s, Billinudgel came into being, around the same time that this family owned and operated pub was established in 1898. ‘Ma’ Ring was the licensee for 53 years from 1950 to her death at 101 in 1983, and her niece’s son Ken Barnham, with his sons, runs the pub now. It’s still right next to the old railway station, but the pub has outlasted even that, with the line closing in 2004.
With the town’s history and family connections, there’s something special about sitting out the back of the pub now, at tables on the grass or in the old shed, enjoying free live music in the beer garden most Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The back area is also home to recurring dance parties including Nudge Nudge Wink Wink and Bare Foot Beat.
The general vibe is that all are welcome here. Ken and his family view this as, ‘a place that we want locals and travellers alike to feel comfortable to relax, be themselves and enjoy the sense of community that we foster. We have two of our own beers on tap: “Easy Ale” and “Kenny’s Cheeky Pils” which are brewed exclusively for us by Earth Beer Company,’ they say.
Not only is it kid- and dog-friendly, but you’ll find traditional Aussie pub fare such as meal and drink specials for $25, Mondays (pasta day), Wednesdays (snitty day) and Thursdays (burger day), although the kitchen is happy to cater for all modern dietary requirements. And, they stock the best cheesecakes in town that just happen to be vegan, locally-made by Plant Food for the Soul.
But despite keeping the best of the traditional pub, the space can also be transformed for weddings, parties, charity functions, art shows, club meets and everything in-between, with customisable catering and private bar options to suit each individual event.
And, in case you haven’t noticed, there is accommodation available on the second floor of the pub.
This is a pub that’s well worth visiting, especially to sit around in the beer garden with the warmer weather – it’s an easy stop off the M1, situated 5 minutes from Brunswick Heads and 20 minutes to Byron Bay.
Billinudgel Hotel, 1 Wilfred St, Billinudgel.
Open from 10am to10pm, Monday to Sunday
billinudgelhotel.com.au.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
