'No roof, no floorboards, just the walls are left': Historic Tassie ruins expected to sell for $300k

Shrouded in mist in a dramatic landscape, the shell of the Royal Hotel is a registered ruin – and it’s on the market for a buyer ready for a challenge.

With an expected price of about $300,000, the iconic property in rugged western Tasmania includes the ruin and an adjacent building with a commercial kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and storage room.

The haunting landmark, on the outskirts of tiny Gormanston, 10 kilometres from Queenstown, is a popular photo stop for travellers exploring the island state’s pristine wilderness or heading out for hiking, fishing, bouldering and mountain biking trips.

The possibilities for the unique property are endless, says agent Dominic Romeo, who specialises in selling and restoring historic homes in Victoria and Tasmania.

“I see heritage properties all the time, and some are in really dilapidated states, but this is the first time I’ve actually come across a heritage-listed ruin that is for sale,” he says.

The original 1901 Royal Hotel was a timber building but was lost in a fire nine years later.

It was rebuilt in reinforced concrete and serviced nearby booming townships – thanks to copper mining – until last drinks were called in 1952. It was then abandoned.

“I don’t know what the story is after that point,” Romeo says. “It must have burned at some stage, because the ruin is blackened and only the shell remains. No roof, no floorboards, just walls are left.”

The property is being sold by Zara Trihey, who bought it in 2020 and operated the popular Linda Cafe in the adjacent building for several years.

Romeo organised photography and listed the property online, but didn’t visit the site himself until last week.

“It was an amazing drive from the Tasmanian midlands,” he says. “It was very cold with snow and ice, and I was on a beautiful winding road through the wilderness. Then, this monument just emerged from nowhere. It looked incredible.”

Romeo says potential buyers have many options.

“You could live in the adjacent building or run it as a cafe, studio or gallery, and if you have the experience, you can revive the original building,” he says.

“The shell is full of weeds and ferns – you could even turn it into a beautiful greenhouse.”

Romeo emphasises that it would be a “very serious” project, involving luring tradespeople to the location, transporting supplies from large towns and cities, and coping with tricky weather.

Devonport on Tasmania’s north-west coast is about 190 kilometres from Gormanston, while Hobart is up to a five-hour drive, depending on conditions.

“Taking on a restoration would mean you would probably need to put in the right style of doors and windows, but it would all be possible,” Romeo says.

“The distance and the work involved mean it wouldn’t be easy – but somebody will want the challenge.”

Contact Agent

23422 Lyell Highway, Gormanston TAS 7466

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