Surrounded by the alluvial riches of the Darling Downs, Rudd’s Pub is a treasure-trove of Aussie bush history.
Story By Nathan Dyer
It’s a stormy Thursday evening on the Darling Downs and the front bar of Rudd’s Pub is buzzing. A warm breeze blows through the open front doors and talk centres on the latest rugby league scandal. A young bloke waltzes in and before he’s had time to say “G’day” publican Sam Little has a frosty glass of beer in his hand. “Thanks Sam,” says the young fella, taking a slurp. “Thanks a lot.”
Located 35 kilometres south of Toowoomba, surrounded by sorghum and sunflower paddocks in the small town of Nobby, Rudd’s Pub is steeped in Australian folklore. Built in 1893, and originally known as the Davenporter, the red-roofed hotel was once a regular hangout of 19th century writer Arthur Davis, creator of the famous duo Dad and Dave. Davis, who went by the pen-name Steele Rudd, used the pub’s Heritage Lounge as a studio while working on his classic bush yarns.
This Story is from Issue #107
Outback Magazine: Jun/July 2016
