11. The Australian Hotel Site

A reporter from the Maitland Mercury noted in 1873 that: ‘The prettily situated village of Broke has recently made several signs of impending progress. There is now a first-class country inn in the township, kept by Mr. Francis Dorrington, which we can recommend to all who visit the locality, the host and hostess being civil and obliging, and the accommodation very good’. The hotel was known as the ‘Australian Hotel’. It is rumoured that the publican used to send his clients home on their horses, knowing that their horses would get them safely home!Watch this space