In 2022, the Darkan Community came together to buy the closed Darkan Hotel with a vision to reinvigorate the once thriving community hub. Community interest was so great that over $760,000 was raised to begin this venture, with significant volunteer time devoted to the renovation project and further community investment over the course of this project. Set to launch in September 2024, the business will provide a family-friendly hospitality venue, creating a meeting place for the community and a strong tourism drawcard to bolster the local economy.

The project has already achieved the purchase of the freehold and a major renovation both inside and outside is in the final stages of completion. Our priority has been restoring the heritage features of the pub and make an inviting indoor space with feature fireplace, alfresco beer garden and play area for the children.

The Company has elected board members and the board is responsible for the operational management of the pub, with 43 financial investors in total. Management of day-to-day operations will be undertaken by managers initially, and may be leased at a later date. Our managers are a couple who worked casually in Darkan last year while travelling and saw the project underway. They have now decided to return to our community and run the Darkan Hotel as a qualified chef and bar manager with their 7 years of rural hotel ownership & management experience.