A cheeky rivalry has brewed between two historic Australian pubs which both claim they are the oldest continually licensed venue in Australia.
Bush Inn in Tasmania’s New Norfolk and the Hope and Anchor in Hobart have been pulling pints since the early 1800s and each is adamant they’re the oldest in the country.
Both pubs advertise this impressive feat online and in signage in the venues – but who is telling the truth?
The answer is a little murky.
According to Hope and Anchor manager Tom Bawle, his pub claims this coveted title.
The Hobart pub first opened in 1807 and while it closed for a brief period in the 1980s, Bawle said the licence never expired.
“All records show that our pub has been here since 1807, with a continuous licence,” Bawle told 9news.com.au.
“Even though we closed for some years, we kept that licence going.
“The licensee himself, Gunther, was afraid he might lose his license so he kept paying it.”
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The front of Hope and Anchor proudly displays the words “the oldest hotel establishment in Australia” and it attracts tourists and friendly locals night after night.
Bawle, who joined the legacy pub six months ago, said he has evidence of his boozer owning the title.
A newspaper clipping from the Tasmanian Hotel Review in 1975 describes Hope and Anchor as “by far the oldest not only in Tasmania but Australia, and there is little doubt about the continuity of the licence, which has run for 168 years”.
This, however, is disputed by the folks over at Bush Inn, located around 35km away from Hobart in New Norfolk.
Manager Will and licensee Belinda both say their pub wins on a technicality.
Bush Inn opened in 1815 and was officially licensed in 1825.
It’s never closed, so officially can lay claim to the title, they told 9news.com.au.
“Not sure why [Hope and Anchor] claim that, we’ve proved time and time again their licence has expired – they’ve changed names, moved buildings,” Will laughed.
“But that building in the pub is older than we are, there’s no question about that.”
The team at Bush Inn also say Hope and Anchor applied for a new licence as recently as 2015.
Belinda told 9news.com.au the pub battle is a good excuse for locals and visitors to visit both venues.
“They are both beautiful old pubs, perhaps people should just visit both so they can be rest assured they’ve had a beer in the oldest pub in the country,” she said.
“Although they really just need to come to the Bush for that.”
The official title of Australia’s continuously licensed pub remains contested.
Despite the friendly controversy, the heritage-listed pubs are both over 200 years old and have impeccable reputations among devoted locals.
Bush Inn is beloved for its steaks and selection of Tasmanian beers and wines.
Meanwhile, Hope and Anchor is well known for its seafood chowder, hot buttered rum and, famously, a pair of ghosts who haunt its hallowed rooms.
