'Haunted' 170 year-old Victorian bluestone pub in Darlington sells

Alistair WalshDecember 8, 2020

An 1842-built bluestone pub in Darlington in south-west Victoria, halfway between Ballarat and Warrnambool. has sold for $274,000.

The Elephant Bridge Hotel, named after the nearby basalt Mount Elephant, comes with seven rooms and lounge, dining and bar areas. It’s also supposedly haunted by ghost of Adeline Eliza Satchwell, who died in 1943 at age 83.

She inherited the pub from her father in 1889 and went on to be Australia’s oldest licensee after running the pub for 54 years.

According to a former publican of the pub, Adeline sits at the front corner window.

She was born in 1861, married twice and had 10 children.

Punters say the hotel is also haunted by a girl of about 20, a man in his 30s and a young girl who drowned in the pub’s well.

Agent Rob Rickard from Elders Real Estate Camperdown says bidding started at $200,000 and bidding went up to $274,000 with four active bidders.

“The ghost wasn’t there bidding or there in attendance,” Rickard says.

“I never had the opportunity to meet any of the ghosts but I was always keeping an eye out. We had 20 inspections throughout the campaign and we had no encounters.”

Rickard says all bidders have interest in running the hotel as a pub.

The pub was bought by a couple who looking to restore the building and run it as a tavern, wine bar and bed-and-breakfast venture.

With floorboards throughout, the pub features many of the original details. There are wedding photos of the original owners dating back to 1882.

The freehold building was offered with vacant possession. It sits on 6000 square metres on the tranquil Mount Emu Creek.

The pub had been expected to sell for $220,000 to $320,000.

The former owner had been running the hotel for seven and a half years and is looking to retire from the industry.

“Properties like this are incredibly rare really. I think the property will be very saleable in the future. It’s a rare commodity that was offered.”

Rickard says in coming months he may be selling another old pub in a different town.

Alistair Walsh

Deutsche Welle online reporter

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