Airbnb grant sets historic hotel up to tap into fresh gold rush

THE $50,000 renovation of a century-old mining town pub could not come at a more perfect time following the discovery of an untapped gold source.

The Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood was the only country pub in Queensland to win a $50,000 grant from online accommodation booking giant Airbnb.

Owner Diane Schluter said the money could not have come at a better time after gold was found under the old mining town’s school.

“There’s gold that’s been found at the school, which will be moved. On that block of ground where the school is, that is where the gold was found; it’s never been mined,” she said. “As the word gets around it will bring in more people.”

Mrs Schluter, along with her husband John, have owned the heritage-listed Imperial Hotel built in 1902 for the past 20 years. She said the grant would give the historical pub a new lease on life, with the money going towards the refurbishment of the accommodation upstairs.

“At the moment the hotel does need some attention. I’ve been trying for 20 years to do it,” she said.

“With this $50,000 it will be the accommodation where it goes. They’ll be painting and doing some floor coverings and light fixtures.”

Mrs Schluter said a team from Airbnb would venture out to the hotel today to work out what work needed to be prioritised.

While excited about the refurbishment, Mrs Schluter is adamant on keeping the charm of the original 18th century building, which she described as being “magical”.

“It’s original; everything there is from 1902 when it was built. I don’t want to lose that charm,” she said.