Images supplied
Pubs are more than a place to have a ‘parmi’ dinner. They are a place to unwind and relax with a group of friends after a long work day or kick off a hectic weekend. And for Mount Barker locals, they’re about to have a brand new place to perform these familiar rituals for the first time in almost 180 years.
The $30 million Heysen Hotel project, backed by Piermount, has officially commenced with demolition of the current site underway. Locals are expected to step foot in the new pub near the start of 2028.
Mount Barker Mayor David Leach said “as in any town, the pub is the central place where people go to meet.” He said the Heysen Hotel will satisfy the needs of every resident from the thirty-somethings keen for a beer, to families with young children hungry for a pub feed.
“You’ve got to have something to look forward to at the end of the week.”
Mayor Leach believes the Heysen Hotel will become the beating heart of the hardworking community, offering them a place to gather and unwind.
The three-storey pub is a chance for the locals to start from scratch and make new memories in an inviting and light-filled space. Complete with a drive-in bottle stop, bistro, function rooms, outdoor dining space, sports bar and 40 gaming machines.
Chairman of Business Mount Barker, James Sexton said the space will be “quite spectacular” with lots of creative use of timber and stone in the open space.
“There’s very good views from there, over the bulk of Mount Barker, and when you get up there it’ll be a lovely place to have a drink.”
Not only will the hotel accommodate up to 1,000 people, it is also expected to create more than 150 jobs to support the region’s growing workforce. Mount Barker is rapidly welcoming new residents and families to its community nestled in the bubbles of Adelaide Hills.
“We had 1800 extra people come to Mount Barker last year and it’s on track to keep doing that for the next 15 years … so the demand is definitely there,” said James.
The Heysen Hotel will sit within a growing retail precinct including a Woolworths, OTR and KFC, set over the backdrop of panoramic scenes across the hills.
“It’ll be a major development for the town,” said James.
Heysen Hotel
When: Estimated early 2028
Where: Near the corner of Wellington Road and Heysen Boulevard
For more information keep an eye on the Mount Barker Council website.
