Naracoorte’s Kincraig Hotel being brought back
The family owned and operated Dean Group is mid-way through its refurbishment of the Kincraig Hotel in Naracoorte, with their goal to service the Limestone Coast town of around 5000 people and give visitors a great place to stay, drink and eat.
The hospitality group owns the Largs Pier Hotel, The Walkers Arms, Macs Hotel, and the Peninsula Hotel Motel.
The hotel was sold to administrators in 2019 by Port Power players Ollie Wines and Angus Monfries. It was later repurchased, partly renovated, and abandoned shortly after, before being picked up by the Dean Group in October last year.
Despite the hotel’s volatile history, marketing director Annie Macy is confident that the rejuvenated hotel will be just as successful as the group’s previous endeavours, including the Largs Pier Hotel, The Walkers Arms, Macs Hotel, and the Peninsula Hotel Motel.
“What’s different this time is how we’ve approached the planning. One of the key challenges in regional venues is staffing, and while that’s still a hurdle, being a part of a larger group means we can lean on support from our metro and regional teams,” she said.
You might like
“We knew we could offer something different, a multifaceted venue that caters to locals and visitors alike.”
The multimillion-dollar refurbishment, which is set to be completed in December, will feature 5-star accommodation, corporate meeting spaces for local businesses, and a dining area with an adjacent children’s play space, said Macy.
“We want the Kincraig to be a place locals feel connected to again, whether that’s through a casual drink with mates, a family dinner where the kids can play, or simply by bringing a long-closed landmark back to life for the next generation to enjoy,” she said.
“We will also be offering much needed accommodation right in the heart of Naracoorte, supporting both local businesses’ needs and regional tourism, which we anticipate will have a flow-on effect for the wider town economy.”
Stay informed, daily
The family-oriented pub aims to draw some of the 90,000 annual visitors of the Naracoorte Caves and inspire them to stay longer and engage more with the rural town, which has a rich history, from its Indigenous heritage to its foundation as a Scottish town and its years as an agricultural hub.
The hotel, which was built in the 1930s, also acknowledges its past through its art deco interior, providing a blend of “modern comfort with timeless character,” said Macy.
“From the furniture and lighting to the colour palette, every detail has been selected to reflect the era the Kincraig first opened, while still feeling fresh and welcoming.”
The drinks list will also recognize the pub’s Scottish Heritage, with a range of Scottish whiskeys available, while still relying primarily on local suppliers. According to Macy, the hotel will support both “local businesses needs and regional tourism [and] have a flow on effect for the wider town economy”.
Macy said the expansion will create over 50 jobs, including in “management, front of house, housekeeping, accommodation services, bottle shop staff and local suppliers”.
While the renovations are set to be completed in December, the hotel is still open for dining 7 days a week, with lunch from 12 to 2 pm and dinner from 5:30 to 9 pm.
The pub also features a gaming room, which opened in March, and a bottle shop.
