The hotel was built on a site previously inhabitated by Aborigines for many thousands of years. After this a few other buildings were constructed before the hotel was buiilt in 1859 by 2 of the Brand brothers. It was originally mainly frequented by cattlemen. It has 18 inch thick limestone walls which were taken from the nearby quarry and 10 feet high ceilings. It lost it license and it not sure why and shut for over 90 years. Between 1897 and 1913 it became a post office, it was then used as a church and a school, before going back to being a hotel. At the end of the dining room is 2 small rooms which shows an insight into how things would have been in the 1800's. And behind the hotel are a few graves, the official cemetery is also not far away. Today it is owned by the National Trust and continues to welcome guests as well as housing a museum.

The hotel is thought to be quite haunted most of the activity though is blaimed on the resident ghost that is known for playing a few tricks such as turning the lights off and on, playing songs on the jukebox and banging about.