How an old country pub is helping lift spirits

For three thirsty years you could not even get a beer at the local pub in Thorpdale, West Gippsland. Now the pub is on the cusp of opening the region's first distillery.

A devastating fire tore through the 80-year-old Traveller’s Rest Hotel in 2017 and caused such extensive internal damage that many locals feared this would be the end of their much-loved local.

Enter Jill Jepson and Sean McCarthy, who bought the grand Art Deco hotel and set about restoring it to its former 1937 glory, eventually reopening to happy locals and parched drivers in late 2020.

Fast forward a few years, and a few more hurdles, now the Traveller’s Rest Hotel is counting down the days to opening its brand-new distillery.

Initially starting with vodka, the focus will be on using local produce and working toward utilising Thorpdale’s famous potatoes.

The distillery is in the basement of the building, with the keg room converted into a tasting room and bar.

Visitors will be able to sample several vodkas sourced from different ethanol bases, with flavours including plain, apple and coffee to start.

Seasonal supplies will give the distillery the opportunity to shelf a range of flavours during the year.

The Traveller’s Rest Hotel has a bar, restaurant, function area and accommodation and opens five days a week from Wednesday to Sundays. It is a country pub and a community hub.

See https://www.travellersresthotel.com/

To plan a visit to Gippsland, see https://www.visitgippsland.com.au/

Image: Nicky Cawood