THE Darling Downs Hotel is more commonly known as the Sandy Creek Pub.
It is situated about 10km outside Warwick on Sandy Creek Road at the start of the Sprint Route through to Leyburn.
The original hotel on the site was built in 1875 but was later pulled down, partly thanks to white ants and the owners at the time wanting a bigger building, which was constructed in 1913, with the original cellar and fireplace foundation still in place.
It’s a classic country pub with classic country atmosphere.
Owner Gary Little has run the Sandy Creek Pub for the last 12 years, following stints with his late wife Liz running motels and the Russell Hotel at Dalby for a period.
After a few years in Bundaberg running a motel the couple decided they wanted a change of pace and location but had sworn off pubs, until a motel broker finally convinced them to check out the Sandy Creek Pub which was up for sale in 2004.
“We just wanted a simple, 12-room motel or a bed and breakfast where we could come and go a bit and do our own thing,” Gary said.
“We’d been in a pub before and I’d promised myself I’d never put my dear wife in one again.
“In the end we made the former owners an offer we were sure they’d refuse but they accepted and that was that.”
Gary runs the show pretty much by himself through the week with plenty of local regulars, but has help from employees and family members of a weekend when things are busier.
As well its historic ambience the Sandy Creek Pub offers meals on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday lunch, as well as catering for one-off functions by appointment, including Christmas.
Gary puts back into the community by supporting the annual Sandy Creek Pig Races held every March, which raises funds for RACQ LifeFlight and the Wheatvale State School P&C.
Friday night raffles also support the Leslie Rural Fire Brigade and the Warwick Sailing Club.
Bookings are still available for Christmas functions but anyone who is interested needs to be quick because spots are filling up fast.
The Sandy Creek Pub is at 345 Sandy Creek Road, Allan.
Call Gary on 4661 3413 and pay a visit online at www.darlingdownshotel.com.au.
