A time-honoured generosity of spirit and a welcoming warmth gives the rustic Post Office Hotel a special outback flavour.
Story Ian Glover Photos John Denman
For those heading from the east coast of far north Queensland to the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria via the Burke Developmental Road, it’s best to stop off at the Post Office Hotel in Chillagoe as it’s the last pub for almost 700 kilometres. Run for the past eight years by John and Donna Burton, the Post Office Hotel is a little like Dr Who’s Tardis (or a woman’s handbag) – bigger on the inside than it appears from the outside.
Geraniums in pots hang from the verandah posts, softening the rusticity of ancient wooden doors, corrugated iron walls and louvre windows. A hitching rail and water trough carved from a tree trunk by local Fred Burdell (at Donna’s request) completes the picture of a genuine outback inn.
This story excerpt is from Issue #51
Outback Magazine: Feb/Mar 2007
