Wondering whether the Grand Hotel Kookynie is still open? The gold‑rush pub that has served the remote Western Australian ghost town since 1902 remains in business, according to the Shire of Menzies and a 2024 travel feature. Yet conflicting visitor reports mean you should confirm hours before making the trip. This article separates the verified facts from the rumours, so you can plan your visit with confidence.
Last checked: 2026-08-23
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Status: Open (as of latest review) · Notable feature: Resident horse greets guests at the front door · Cuisine: Great tasting and huge serves · Accommodation: Available, call Margaret
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-23.
Sources reviewed: local government website, historical society profile, regional newspaper reports, statewide newspaper feature, travel magazine article, directory listings, user‑review platform.
We did not conduct an on‑site visit or interview staff. All pricing and operational information is drawn from published sources dated 2019–2025.
At a Glance: The Grand Hotel Kookynie
- Open and serving visitors (Shire of Menzies)
- Resident horse greets guests at the door (Have a Go News)
- About 150 people most days (Kalgoorlie Miner)
- 10 bedrooms available (Kalgoorlie Miner)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Open (as of latest official sources) |
| Notable feature | Resident horse greets guests at the front door |
| Accommodation | 10 bedrooms, call Margaret |
| Listed price (for sale, 2019) | $500,000 |
Is the Kookynie pub still open?
The short answer is yes, but with important caveats. The Kalgoorlie‑Boulder Historical Society states plainly that the Grand Hotel, built in 1902, “still operates.” The Shire of Menzies official town page describes Kookynie as a ghost town with a population of about thirteen and notes that “the Hotel” offers an excellent collection of historic photographs, antique bottles and memorabilia for visitors. A March 2024 travel feature in Have a Go News calls the Grand Hotel “the only business operating in town” and reports that the publican “continues pulling beers.”
Conflicting reports
On the other hand, a July 2024 TripAdvisor review states the pub was “not open” and describes the town as “absolutely dead.” This creates a direct conflict between user‑generated reports and official/local sources. The most likely explanation is that the hotel operates on limited or intermittent hours, especially during quiet periods. Directory listings such as Publocation and Wheree mark it as open seven days, but those may not reflect real‑time changes.
The bottom line: the Grand Hotel Kookynie is still officially open, but its hours can be erratic. Always confirm before driving the long distance.
What is the Grand Hotel in Kookynie?
The Grand Hotel is a substantial brick hotel built in 1902 during the gold rush that created Kookynie. It remains the only hotel and pub left in a town that once supported thousands of miners. The Kalgoorlie‑Boulder Historical Society notes that the town’s population dwindled from the early 1960s onward, leaving the Grand Hotel as one of the few active establishments.
“The Grand Hotel, built in 1902, still operates.”
Kalgoorlie‑Boulder Historical Society
As of 2019, the publicans Kevin and Margaret Pusey were trying to sell the pub for $500,000, as reported by the Kalgoorlie Miner. The same article says the bar still drew about 150 patrons most days. The hotel offers 10 bedrooms, a beer garden, a pool table, and tent and caravan sites. A resident horse often greets guests at the front door, a detail confirmed by the 2024 Have a Go News feature.
What’s on offer today
Visitors can expect a classic outback pub experience: cold beer on tap, bar meals, and a chance to browse historical memorabilia. Accommodation is available – call Margaret to book. The West Australian described the hotel as “the pub that kept a WA gold rush town alive” after it reopened from COVID‑19 lockdowns in 2020.
The pattern: the Grand Hotel has survived for over 120 years through booms, busts, and a pandemic. Its continued operation is a testament to the resilience of its owners, but it remains financially fragile.
What is Kookynie known for?
Kookynie is a classic Western Australian ghost town – a place that boomed during the gold rush of the 1890s and early 1900s, then faded as the mines closed. Today, the Shire of Menzies describes it as a “ghost town” with a population of around thirteen. The main draw is the Grand Hotel, which functions as a living museum and a watering hole for travellers on the Golden Quest Discovery Trail.
“Kookynie is virtually a ghost town, but the Grand Hotel pub remains a quintessential outback pub.”
Have a Go News, March 2024
Visitors come to see the historic hotel, the nearby ruins of the town’s former commercial centre, and the vast, empty goldfields landscape. The Shire of Menzies notes that the hotel caters to tourists, prospectors, fossickers, and mining workers, offering a collection of photographs and memorabilia.
Ghost town tourism
Kookynie is one of several Goldfields ghost towns that attract visitors interested in Australian frontier history. Unlike some completely abandoned sites, Kookynie still has a handful of residents and one operating business. The Grand Hotel is the anchor – without it, the town would be a true ghost town. As the 2024 feature puts it, “it takes resilience to be one of the few remaining residents.”
Why this matters: the survival of the Grand Hotel directly affects the tourism appeal of the entire region. Its intermittent hours are a risk for visitors, but the reward is a genuine, lived‑in piece of Australian gold‑rush history.
Grand Hotel Kookynie – Key Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | Kookynie, Western Australia |
| Built | 1902 |
| Accommodation | 10 bedrooms |
| Contact | Call Margaret (number not publicly listed) |
| Beer on tap | Yes |
| For sale (as of 2019) | $500,000 |
Pricing and Booking
The Grand Hotel Kookynie was listed for sale at $500,000 in 2019, but no public update on a sale exists. For overnight accommodation, call Margaret to inquire about rates. Bar prices are not published online, but as a remote outback pub, expect standard country‑pub pricing. The hotel also offers tent and caravan sites for budget travellers.
Location and Getting There
Kookynie lies in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, about 200 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie and 800 kilometres east of Perth. The town is accessible via sealed roads from Menzies, then a short unsealed section. It is part of the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, a self‑drive route that links historic gold‑rush sites. The nearest major town is Leonora, about 60 kilometres north.
Driving time from Kalgoorlie: approximately 2.5 hours.
Other Historic Outback Pubs to Consider
If the Grand Hotel Kookynie is closed when you visit, or if you want to extend your trip, consider these similar historic pubs in remote Australian settings:
- Marree Hotel – A remote outback pub in South Australia, serving a tiny community and tourists on the Oodnadatta Track.
- Hibernian Hotel Beechworth – A gold‑rush era pub in Victoria’s historic Beechworth, offering heritage accommodation and a lively bar.
tripadvisor.com, thewest.com.au, grandhotel.com, thewest.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kookynie pub still open?
Yes, according to the Shire of Menzies and a 2024 travel feature, the Grand Hotel Kookynie is still operating. However, some visitors have reported temporary closures. It is best to call ahead.
Does the Grand Hotel Kookynie have accommodation?
Yes, the hotel has 10 bedrooms. Call Margaret to book. Tent and caravan sites are also available.
Is there a resident horse at the pub?
Yes, a horse often greets guests at the front door, as noted in a 2024 travel feature.
How many bedrooms does the Grand Hotel have?
The hotel has 10 bedrooms, according to a 2019 Kalgoorlie Miner report.
Does the pub serve beer on tap?
Yes, it is one of the few country pubs in the area still with beer on tap.
Where is the Grand Hotel Kookynie located?
It is located in Kookynie, Western Australia, about 200 km north of Kalgoorlie.