The Walkabout Creek Hotel – an iconic outback landmark known for its role in the 1986 film Crocodile Dundee – has officially changed ownership after three years on the market.
Located in the small Queensland town of McKinlay, just over 200 kilometres from Mount Isa, the century-old pub serves as a multipurpose hub for the community of about 160 residents.
Alongside its bar, it also functions as the local bottle shop, caravan park and post office.
McKinlay-born grazier Angus Brodie and his wife, Jo Cranney, have purchased the hotel for an undisclosed sum, settling the deal on Thursday.
Previous owners Deb and Frank Wurst had operated the pub for 11 years before putting it up for sale to retire.
Brodie, 33, said the pub played a significant role in his childhood.
“I have memories running around with all the other kids, sneaking a packet of chips and a soft drink,” he said.
“Sometimes we’d take our sleeping bags and have a sleepover until it was time to go home.”
Despite now owning the property, Brodie admitted he was a novice behind the bar until recently.
“The first beer I poured, I think there was half a glass of frothy head, and the second beer had absolutely no head at all,” he laughed.
“I wasn’t off to a real good start, but I promise I’ve turned things around now.”
Cranney, 34, grew up in Goondiwindi before moving to Mount Isa to work as a nurse, where the couple met.
They now run a cattle property about 30 minutes from the hotel with their two children and are expecting their third in April.
The pair said they bought the pub as a way to diversify their income, particularly during difficult seasons for the cattle industry.
“In a drought, people probably drink more beer,” Brodie said.
They also hope to introduce a farm-to-table approach by serving their own beef on the pub menu.
“That’s one thing we’re pretty keen to do, showcase our beef and have that on the menu,” he said.
The Walkabout Creek Hotel remains a popular stop for tourists drawn by its Crocodile Dundee memorabilia. The bar used during filming was donated to the pub and now sits in the beer garden.
Brodie said they had no plans for major changes, crediting the previous owners with maintaining the venue.
“It’s a credit to Frank and Debbie. They’ve really looked after it over the 11 years they’ve been there,” he said.
When the Wursts first announced their retirement in 2022, Mr Wurst said leaving the community would be difficult.
“I’m really going to miss the people out here – there are so many great characters,” he said.
“It’ll be exciting to see what the next lot do with it – if you’re going to buy a pub, may as well make it a famous one.”
Built in 1900 and licensed in 1901, the hotel long predates the blockbuster film that made it internationally recognisable.
Initially known as the Federation Hotel, it has stood for more than 120 years.
With Crocodile Dundee approaching its 40th anniversary next year, the new owners say they intend to celebrate the milestone.
“We will have to do something, that’s for sure,” Brodie said.
“It’s a crucial part of the identity of the pub, and we love it.”
Images: Shutterstock
