HTL Property Sells The Metro, First Cab Off the Rank in 2026

The first bell has sounded in 2026 with the successful sale of Queensland’s Metro Hotel in Bundaberg (Qld); today being announced by leading national specialist brokerage agency, HTL Property.

Owned for the last 18 years by John Murphy & son Jarrod, the Hotel has found new ownership in the way of an interstate publican – who has also himself owned and operated multiple Hotel venues in NSW & QLD.

Located in the city centre of Bundaberg on Burbong Street, the Metro Hotel has traded since 1874 when built and licensed by Walter Adams. Known then as the Adams Hotel, it became a two-storey building in 1879, when the name was changed to the Metropolitan Hotel.

John Murphy & the Murphy family are well recognised in the Hotel industry having owned and operated multiple pubs across both South Australia and Queensland; previously holding the keys to The Shearers Arms Hotel at Ormeau Queensland, before selling to Matt Coorey, Richard Malouf & Ed & Justin Malouf back in 2020. The sale of the Metro will see John exit the industry, while Jarrod will take an extended break before pursuing other ventures.

The sale of the Metro Hotel was orchestrated by HTL Property Director, Glenn Price – in what was an off-market transaction. Mr Price also handled the aforementioned sale of the Shearers Arms Tavern for the Murphy family in 2020.

The Hotel is well known as “a local’s pub” and is underpinned by strong trade across both bar and bistro, operating 20 Coastal Gaming Machine Authorities.

The incoming owner is Peter Braithwaite – who most recently sold through HTL Property, The Lucky Tree Tavern & The Willow Hotel in Brisbane, to Redcape, in a deal that topped $50million.

Commenting on the purchase, Mr. Braithwaite suggested “It’s a great little pub with the backbone of a very well-run operation. We will look to add to the current offering with some subtle renovations across the bar & bistro, a gaming reconfiguration and activating the accommodation for short-term stays”.

“The national traditional Hotel market enjoyed an extremely buoyant 2025 in terms of both operational trade and sales across the sector with NSW & QLD driving the majority of transactions. The South Australian market also welcomed an increase in sales activity compared to that of prior years, with other states and territories maintaining a consistent level of transactional activity to that experienced in previous years. In totality, the national pub sector has again generated well over $2billion in successful sales in 2025, and with no indication of slowing down as we transition into 2026” Price commented.

“Transactional volumes nationally and since Christmas Day 2025 are statistically proud of any other period on record, and this tailwind of market confidence underwrites our views regarding positive sentiment for a robust 12 months ahead” concluded HTL Property Managing Director, Andrew Jolliffe.

The sale of the Metro Hotel is due to complete later this year once regulatory approvals are finalised.

End.