Sitting in Willy’s Steam Packet Hotel one evening, Colin Woolhouse nearly choked on his beer when his partner Ana Klingsberg suggested the idea of buying a pub together.
Little did they know that night that ‘the Packet’ was actually on the market. “It must be providence,” said Colin … so they bought it!
The pair has grown to love the historic bluestone pub more and more since that fateful night in 2016.
“We knew it would take time to build up and ‘put our mark’ on the place,” Colin says, “but we think we’ve done that now.”
One of the oldest pubs in Victoria, dating back to 1863, the Steam Packet has garnered a unique history, a special place in the memories of many over the years. There’s an old photo on the wall of a donkey (!) being served at the bar, as well as a stories told of a ghost that turns lights on and off randomly, and beer taps opening of their own accord.