There’s something ineffably special about a country pub—the way it serves as the beating heart of small regional towns, a meeting place for locals to share stories over a schooner, and a welcome respite for weary travellers passing through.
When news spread about the devastating fire that tore through Thorpdale’s Traveller’s Rest in 2017, a palpable sense of loss rippled through the community. For three long years—years that must have felt like an eternity to the locals—you couldn’t even get a beer at Thorpdale’s only pub.
When Jill Jepson and Sean McCarthy took the brave step of purchasing the fire-damaged hotel, they weren’t just buying a building; they were investing in the revival of a community cornerstone.
In late 2020 the familiar clink of glasses returned to Thorpdale after that three-year drought dry spell.
From Pints to Spirits
In a twist that nobody would have predicted during those dormant years, the Traveller’s Rest is on the cusp of making regional history. Nestled in the basement of this grand Moderne Era building is West Gippsland’s very first distillery—a testament to the innovative spirit that often thrives in our country towns when given half a chance.
The transformation of the old keg room into a visitor’s tasting room and bar speaks to the kind of creative repurposing that regional Australia does so well.
What makes this venture particularly special is the plan to eventually incorporate Thorpdale’s famous spuds into the distilling process. Anyone who’s ever driven through those rolling hills knows the reputation of Thorpdale potatoes—those earthy treasures that local farmers have been coaxing from the rich volcanic soil for generations.
For now, visitors can sample an array of vodkas with flavours including plain, apple, and coffee. There’s something beautifully symbolic about starting with vodka—a spirit known for its purity—as the foundation for this new chapter in the hotel’s storied history.
Preserving the Past
In the careful renovation of this space, Jepson and McCarthy have honored the building’s heritage, maintaining original features like the keg room doors and transforming the old staff bedrooms into a distilling room and a relaxation/tasting/library space.
And then there’s the intriguingly named “drunk’s room”—the kind of historical quirk that makes country establishments so much more characterful than their city counterparts. It’s not hard to imagine the colorful stories that could be told about this particular feature, tales passed down through generations of Thorpdale residents.
Beyond the distillery, the Traveller’s Rest Hotel continues to serve as a multifaceted hub for the community and visitors alike. With its bar, restaurant, function area, and accommodation, it embodies the versatility that country establishments need to survive and thrive.
The beer garden, with its sweeping views over Thorpdale’s undulating potato fields, offers a connection to the landscape that defines this region. And when those notorious Gippsland winter chills set in, the crackling wood heaters inside create the kind of warm sanctuary that has drawn people to country pubs for generations.
The Specifics
What: Traveller’s Rest Hotel
Where: Station Street, Thorpdale
When: Opening soon (distillery), hotel currently open Wednesday to Sunday
For more information, head to the Traveller’s Rest Hotel website.
