A frothy pub market underscored a string of mega deals for landmark Australian hospitality venues, ushering in new ownership in 2025. The $140 million sale of Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel headlined these high-profile trades, marking the nation’s second most expensive hotel sale on record.
Businessman Scott Didier, Group CEO of Johns Lyng Group, added ‘The Beachie’ to his family’s growing portfolio in the region. The venue is a favorite among locals, including Hollywood A-lister Chris Hemsworth, who calls Byron Bay home. “We are sure it will continue to thrive as a beloved part of the Byron Bay landscape under the guidance of the Didier family,” Redscape Hospitality Managing Director Chris Unger said when confirming the sale in May.
High-Profile Transactions Across Australia
In another notable trade, billionaire Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis completed a $50 million deal for Queensland’s iconic Caxton Hotel. This transaction marks the end of an era for the Farquhar family, which has owned the famous rugby league hotel for 28 years. The Caxton, first opened in 1864, is a magnet for fans who gather in their thousands around State of Origin clashes before walking to nearby Suncorp Stadium.
The sales highlight the growing popularity of Australian trophy pubs for family offices and high-net-worth individuals. According to JLL, there is a notable trend towards “the outsized role of private capital” in 2025, as transaction volumes in the hotel sector surged above $2 billion.
South of the Border: More Sales and Transformations
South of the border, several owners sought to capitalize on the strengthening market by selling long-held venues. Sydney’s landmark Crystal Palace Hotel, located across the road from Central Train Station, was sold to the Feros family’s JDA Hotels in an off-market deal, with records showing the property traded for $13.5 million.
In North Sydney, publican Mark Barry offloaded the Firehouse Hotel after 25 years, during which it was converted from a heritage-listed fire station to a favored watering hole. Meanwhile, The Good Beer Group sold the Union Hotel to Aston Waugh’s Watering Hole Hotels for $22 million. Another Australian icon, the original Ettamogah Pub, located just off the Hume Highway near Albury, is currently on the market for approximately $50 million, which includes the rights to the brand.
Melbourne’s Hospitality Scene Evolves
Changes are also afoot in Melbourne’s CBD, where billionaire Justin Hemmes unveiled his vision to transform a car park into a new high-end entertainment precinct. He paid $55 million for the eight-storey complex on Little Collins Street, a “passion project” where he hopes to create restaurants, bars, a boutique hotel, and a sky garden. “We want to create the most exciting and iconic destination, not only for the city of Melbourne and the people of Melbourne, but an iconic destination within Australia,” Hemmes stated.
Just a few blocks away, the hospitality group behind Nomad has taken over Guy Grossi’s stable of venues, including Florentino, The Grill, Cellar Bar, Ombra, and Arlechin. New owners with an appetite to continue the legacy of the Great Ocean Road dining institution Chris’s Beacon Point have also been found. Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, and gridiron giant Joe Montana are among the big names who dined at the Skenes Creek eatery, which sold for $3 million in July.
International Dining Destinations on the Market
Another international dining destination, the Birregurra farm that houses the world-renowned Brae restaurant, hit the market in November with $5 million price hopes. This development underscores the ongoing dynamism in Australia’s hospitality sector, where iconic venues continue to attract significant interest from investors around the globe.
The move represents a broader trend in the hospitality industry, where landmark properties are increasingly seen as valuable assets by private investors. As the market continues to evolve, these transactions not only reflect the changing landscape of ownership but also the enduring appeal of Australia’s hospitality sector.
