With authentic aplomb, the Tattersalls Hotel has been serving outback patrons in the north-west Queensland town of Winton for 120 years.
Story & photos by John Denman
The old timbers of The Tattersalls Hotel reverberate with the sound of good times. Known fondly as ‘The Tatts’ since it was built in 1885, the walls could also tell their share of yarns. Originally a single-storey building, a second storey was put on some time between 1910 and 1914, but nobody is sure exactly when. Briefly, its name was changed to ‘The Combo’, but most people have always called it The Tatts.
The pub has had many owners over its lifespan, each leaving their mark without detracting from The Tatts’ integrity. Current owners Paul and Sonya Nielsen are determined that the pub should retain its traditional flavour, so they have avoided overt ‘modernisation’. Being a bit of a handyman, Paul has removed some old masonite panelling and paintwork to expose the original timber. “We wanted to bring the pub back to as original as possible,” he says. “There must have been something like 18 layers of paint there.”
This story excerpt is from Issue #45
Outback Magazine: Feb/Mar 2006
