The taps are flowing once again at the Royal Victoria Hotel in Beltana, as the historic outback pub reopens after more than 60 years.
Originally built in 1879, the hotel last served drinks in 1958. Now, after two years of dedicated restoration by the Ferguson family, it’s officially back, and has been welcoming visitors since 22 May with cold drinks, light food, and their very own locally brewed beer.
“We’re delighted to be bringing the hotel back to its former glory,” says Jan Ferguson.
“It was very important to us to save the building, which has 17 rooms. We’re also excited about what it means for Beltana and for tourism in the region.”
The reopening marks a full-circle moment for the Fergusons, who first came to Beltana in the 1970s and helped drive the process that led to the town’s official State Heritage listing. Their connection to the area has spanned decades, and now the next generation has stepped in to help bring the hotel back to life.
“The town has a deep Adnyamathanha history and post-colonial history too, including the old Ghan Railway, the Overland Telegraph and the RFDS,” Jan explains.
“There’s a unique charm here that you just don’t find elsewhere in the Flinders. It’s a special place.”
The restoration process was a true labour of love. While some parts of the hotel simply needed refreshing, others like the bathrooms had no ceilings or floors and required a complete rebuild.
The bar was rebuilt entirely, using a salvaged counter from another hotel. Custom work was needed at every turn, as all the door sand architraves were a different size. Wherever possible, original features were kept, including fragments of wallpaper that hint at the building’s long history.
The revived hotel now serves light meals in a food-truck style, along with boutique South Australian drinks. That includes their own locally brewed pale ale, named Second Repeater in honour of the Overland Telegraph, brewed just down the road in Parachilna.
“We’ve focused on local products that are a bit different,” Jan says.
“We’ve had a great response so far and we’ll keep sourcing more.”
Open Thursday through to Sunday morning, the hotel invites visitors to enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, and a good chat before exploring Beltana’s heritage trail or heading off to the nearby Nilpena Ediacara National Park.
Locals have also embraced the return, starting a Friday night drinks tradition where the pub provides nibbles and the neighbours come together.
Looking ahead, the family plans to open accommodation, though not at the cost of the building’s heritage.
“We’ll ease into it,” Jan says. “It will be more like a guesthouse. We’re keeping the building true to its original form.”
Royal Victoria Hotel in Beltana
Where: 3 First Street, Beltana
When: Open Thursday through to Sunday morning
For more information, click here.
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