The Town and Country Hotel in St Peters, Sydney, closed its doors in July 2023 after more than a century of operation, but its legacy remains immortalised in Slim Dusty’s chart-topping song ‘Duncan’. Now listed for sale, the property presents a rare opportunity for investors and hospitality operators to reimagine a piece of Australian cultural history. This article traces the pub’s full story — from its 1881 origins to the current sale — drawing on property listings, news reports and public records.
Last checked: 2026-09-01
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Established: 1923 · Closure date: July 2023 · Famous for: Inspiring Slim Dusty’s song ‘Duncan’ · Address: 2 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters NSW 2044 · Current listing: For sale via Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property · Listing date: March 2025
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-01.
Sources reviewed: official property listing site, local news media, social media platforms, commercial real estate news, historical article archives.
This research relied entirely on publicly available sources and did not include an on-site visit, staff interviews or independent verification of historical claims beyond what is published.
The Town and Country Hotel at a glance
- Originally established in 1881, the current interwar building dates from 1923 and the pub traded continuously until July 2023 (Sydney Morning Herald).
- Immortalised in Slim Dusty’s 1980 song ‘Duncan’, which reached No. 1 on the Australian charts in February 1981 (ABC News).
- Closed since July 2023 and listed for sale as of March 2025 (Commercial Real Estate).
- High‑exposure commercial property at 2 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters, marketed by Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property (National Seniors Australia).
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1881 (current building 1923) |
| Closure date | July 2023 |
| Famous for | Inspiring Slim Dusty’s song ‘Duncan’ |
| Address | 2 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters NSW 2044 |
| Current listing | For sale via Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property |
| Listing date | March 2025 |
| Boarding rooms | 18 rooms across two upper floors |
| Expected price range | More than AUD 5 million (as reported by sales agents) |
| Liquor licence | Maintained, currently not in active use |
What Is the History of the Town and Country Hotel St Peters?
The Town and Country Hotel has stood at the corner of Unwins Bridge Road and Princes Highway in St Peters since the 19th century. The site was originally established as a hotel in 1881, and the current three‑storey interwar building, designed by architect Sidney Warren, opened in 1923 (Commercial Real Estate). For much of the 20th century it operated as a typical Tooth & Co.‑affiliated pub, serving the working‑class community of the inner west.
When was the Town and Country Hotel built?
Multiple sources confirm that the first hotel on the site opened in 1881. The building that stands today dates from 1923, after a rebuild that transformed it into a three‑storey landmark with a street‑corner presence. The Time Gents blog describes it as a “landmark pub” on the inner‑west “lager loop,” underlining its longstanding role as a local gathering spot (Time Gents).
Why is the hotel famous?
The pub’s national fame stems from its appearance in Slim Dusty’s 1980 single ‘Duncan’. The song was written by insurance salesman Pat Alexander after he met factory owner Duncan Urquhart while trying to sell him life insurance. The two men began drinking at the Town and Country, and the experience inspired the lyrics — most memorably, “We drink at the Town and Country, where the atmosphere is great; I love to have a beer with Duncan, ’cause Duncan’s me mate.” Slim Dusty recorded the track and the official music video was filmed inside the actual hotel, with Urquhart seated to Dusty’s left and Alexander to his right (Wikipedia).
“We drink at the Town and Country, where the atmosphere is great…”
— Extract from ‘Duncan’ by Slim Dusty (1980), referencing the St Peters hotel
The song premiered on the morning show of Phil Halderman and Malcolm T. Elliot in September 1980 and went on to top the national charts for two weeks in February 1981, becoming Slim Dusty’s biggest hit after ‘Pub With No Beer’.
What led to its closure in July 2023?
After more than 140 years of trading, the Town and Country Hotel shut its doors abruptly in July 2023. Owners Helen and Alex Filips, who had taken over about six years earlier, announced the closure via Facebook on 18 July, saying they were “devastated” that the doors had been locked. According to reporting by the Sydney Morning Herald, the closure followed a failed mediation with landlord Benjamin Harkham over building repairs, neighbour complaints and rising rent. Time Out Sydney described the situation as a “stalemate” over trading terms, and noted that the hotel’s liquor licence has been retained (Time Out Sydney).
“We are devastated to announce that we have had to close the iconic Town and Country Hotel… our doors were locked.”
The bottom line: “We are devastated to announce that we have had to close the iconic Town and Country Hotel… our doors were locked.”— Helen and Alex Filips, owners, via Facebook (as reported by Countrytown)
Is the Town and Country Hotel St Peters for Sale?
Yes. In March 2025 the property was listed for sale, with expectations it would fetch more than AUD 5 million. The hotel is being marketed by Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property, and an auction was scheduled in Sydney for 8 April 2025.
Who is listing the property?
Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property jointly hold the listing. Sales agent Peter Seeto told ABC News that the asset represents “a good opportunity to rethink the space,” pointing to the site’s potential for redevelopment or repositioning.
What is the asking price?
No fixed price has been published, but both the selling agents and independent news reports indicate an expected result above AUD 5 million. The figure is based on the property’s size (370 m² ground‑floor pub, 18 boarding rooms above) and its iconic status.
What are the site’s development opportunities?
The property retains its hotel liquor licence, which is a significant asset for any hospitality buyer. The ground‑floor pub space has been temporarily operated by two short‑term tenants since the closure, but the building as a whole — comprising bar area, beer garden and 18 upper‑floor boarding rooms — is offered as a complete freehold. Commercial Real Estate notes that the land and building have potential for a range of commercial uses, from a restored pub‑hotel to a mixed‑use development.
What Do Reviews Say About the Town and Country Hotel St Peters?
While the hotel ceased trading in 2023, its legacy is preserved through online reviews and social media commentary. Patrons consistently highlighted the pub’s friendly atmosphere and its link to Slim Dusty.
What was the general atmosphere of the hotel?
TripAdvisor reviews from the years before closure describe it as a classic local pub with a strong community feel. One October 2022 review called it “my (and the late Slim Dusty’s) favourite pub in Sydney” (TripAdvisor). The pub was also known for serving pizza and standard pub fare.
How did patrons react to the closure?
The owners’ Facebook announcement on 18 July 2023 generated an outpouring of disappointment. Countrytown reported that regulars expressed shock and sadness at the sudden end of an institution. The sense of loss was amplified by the hotel’s cultural status — many commented on the irony that the “atmosphere is great” lyric now applied only to memories (Countrytown).
Are there any notable review highlights?
A recurring theme is the hotel’s place in Australian music history. Several reviewers specifically mentioned ordering a beer while thinking of the song ‘Duncan’. The Sydney Morning Herald captured the change neatly in its headline: “Atmosphere no longer so great as iconic Sydney pub closes,” a play on Dusty’s famous lyric.
“The atmosphere is no longer so great as iconic Sydney pub closes.”
— Sydney Morning Herald, July 2023
The bottom line: the Town and Country Hotel was widely cherished as a warm, unpretentious venue, and its closure marked the end of an era for local patrons and music fans alike.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Town and Country Hotel built?
Why is the Town and Country Hotel famous?
When did the Town and Country Hotel close?
Why did the Town and Country Hotel close?
Is the Town and Country Hotel for sale?
What is the address of the Town and Country Hotel?
How many rooms does the Town and Country Hotel have?
Specifications of the Town and Country Hotel St Peters
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Town and Country Hotel St Peters |
| Address | 2 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters NSW 2044 |
| Year established | 1881 (current building 1923) |
| Building style | Three‑storey interwar hotel (architect: Sidney Warren) |
| Closure date | July 2023 |
| Current status | For sale (listed March 2025) |
| Expected sale price | More than AUD 5 million |
| Boarding rooms | 18 |
| Ground‑floor space | 370 m² pub area |
| Liquor licence | Retained |
Location and getting there
The hotel sits at a prominent intersection at 2 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters, in the inner‑west of Sydney. The area is well‑served by public transport: St Peters railway station is within walking distance, and several bus routes run along Princes Highway. For drivers, the property is near major arterial roads connecting to the Sydney CBD and suburbs.
Alternatives to the Town and Country Hotel St Peters
While the Town and Country Hotel in St Peters is the most well‑documented venue, other establishments share the same name. Based on available search data, these include:
- Town and Country Hotel Sydney – a separate venue also called “Town and Country” in the same city, but no verified facts about its current status or operations are available.
- Town and Country Hotel Wangaratta – a hotel in Victoria with the same name; no operational details could be confirmed from our sources.
- Town and Country pub (generic) – a broader category of venues, but not a specific, verifiable entity.
For readers interested in historic Sydney pubs with verified records, the Newtown Hotel (located in the adjacent suburb) and the Rose and Crown Pubs comparison provide deeper dives into other iconic venues.
Our pick: Why the Town and Country Hotel remains a compelling proposition
For investors, hospitality operators and developers, the Town and Country Hotel St Peters offers a rare combination: a heritage‑listed interwar building, an intact liquor licence, and an instantly recognisable name that resonates with millions of Australians. The expected price above AUD 5 million reflects its prime inner‑west location and the potential to reopen as a destination pub‑hotel or to redevelop the site.
Timeline of key events
- 1881: First hotel established on the site.
- 1923: Current three‑storey building opens, designed by Sidney Warren.
- ~1976: Pat Alexander meets Duncan Urquhart at the pub, begins writing ‘Duncan’.
- September 1980: Slim Dusty’s ‘Duncan’ premieres on radio.
- February 1981: ‘Duncan’ reaches No. 1 on Australian charts.
- ~2017: Helen and Alex Filips take over as leaseholders.
- 18 July 2023: Owners announce sudden closure via Facebook.
- March 2025: Property listed for sale via Belle Commercial and Highland Commercial Property.
- 8 April 2025: Auction scheduled (as reported by National Seniors Australia).