Bush pub that inspired Slim Dusty's 'Humpty Doo Waltz' hits the market

The Humpty Doo Hotel, an iconic landmark in the Northern Territory of Australia, is currently on the market after more than four decades of ownership. Established in 1971, the pub has become synonymous with the Humpty Doo Waltz, a bush ballad by Slim Dusty that was inspired by the venue. Located about 40 kilometres south-east of Darwin, the Humpty Doo Hotel has survived Cyclone Tracy and is one of the longest-licensed premises in the Territory.

Its unique features, such as the world's largest buffalo horns hanging behind the bar, have contributed to its fame. The hotel has hosted a diverse range of patrons, from bush travellers to celebrities, and has even hosted a drinking competition won by a Brahman bull named Norman. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel has seen over 50,000 visitors in the past year.

Now, after 39 years of ownership, the pub's licensee, Rod Parry, is putting the Humpty Doo Hotel up for sale, expressing his desire to rest and share the reins with a new owner. The property, including a bottle shop, RV park, gaming machines, and a bistro, has been put up for sale by Brisbane-based hotel broker JLL, with expressions of interest open for a month.