The wait is over. Clare Valley’s iconic Rising Sun Hotel is officially open!
After a thoughtful refresh by the team behind Skillogalee Estate, the pub is back in action and it’s the kind of reopening that feels more like a reunion, with the whole community invited.
General Manager Guy Parkinson can’t wait to pour the first pint.
“There’s something about the first pint poured from a brand-new beer font,” he says.
“Seeing someone enjoy a fresh, cold beer at the bar in a proper country pub like this will be a proud moment.”
The Rising Sun has been a fixture in the Clare Valley for nearly 175 years, but this new chapter is all about creating a space that locals genuinely want to spend time in.
“A true country pub should feel like home to locals and welcoming to anyone passing through,” Guy explains.
“It’s a place where families, farmers, winemakers and travellers should all feel comfortable.”
That sense of warmth is in every detail.
“The pressed tin ceiling was always here, but now it’s repainted in a deep heritage green that gives the space warmth and character,” he says.
“The timber floorboards were hidden under layers of carpet and underlay for years. We brought them back, and now they add texture, patina and a sense of history that grounds the whole space.”
One of the boldest changes? The pokies are gone.
“We wanted that space to feel social again,” Guy says.
“By replacing the machines with a cosy dining room, we’ve created an area where people can sit down, share a meal and have a conversation. It brings a more human, relaxed kind of energy that feels welcoming to everyone from children to grandparents.”
The food is straight-up classic pub done right.
“We’re proud to be serving proper pub classics made with great regional produce,” he says.
“A favourite is the chicken schnitzel, using free-range Greenslade chicken, served with peppercorn sauce and a glass of Clare Valley Shiraz Cabernet. It’s satisfying, made in house with care, and rooted in this place.”
As for who he’d most like to share a drink with at the bar?
“Honestly, the people we’d want to share a drink with now are the team who brought this place back to life,” Guy says.
“From the crew at Skillogalee to the new faces at The Rising Sun, and all the trades and staff who gave their time, energy and passion, it has been a huge group effort. We came into the project a little naïve about what it would take, but we’re so proud of what’s been achieved.”
The pub officially reopens for regular trading on Saturday 26 July from 11am.
Oh, and don’t forget they have accommodation too!
The Rising Sun Hotel
Where: 19 Main North Road, Auburn
When: Tuesday to Saturday 11am–late, Sunday 11am–5pm. Closed Mondays
For more information, click here.
