Planning a stay at the Spalding Hotel in South Australia? This country pub — also known as The Barbed Wire Pub — offers walkers and cyclists a reliable rest stop on the Heysen Trail, with queen rooms from $85 AUD per night. We have gathered verified facts from the trail association, guest reviews, and local directories to help you research your stay.
Last checked: 2026-09-19
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Name: Spalding Hotel · Location: Spalding, South Australia · On Heysen Trail: Yes · Contact: (08) 7625 5029 · Room type: Queen rooms · Laundry facilities: Available
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-19.
Sources reviewed: Friends of the Heysen Trail (official trail association), TripAdvisor, Publocation, Outback Magazine, GdayPubs, Booking.com.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.
Spalding Hotel at a glance
- Queen rooms from $85 AUD per night, available 7 nights per week (Friends of the Heysen Trail)
- Pick-up and drop-off to the Heysen Trail by prior arrangement; laundry facilities available (Friends of the Heysen Trail)
- Breakfast and dinner served; hiker/cyclist lunch packs available with 24 hours’ notice (Friends of the Heysen Trail)
- Phone (08) 7625 5029; 19 Main Street, Spalding SA 5454 (Publocation)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Spalding Hotel |
| Location | Spalding, South Australia |
| On Heysen Trail | Yes |
| Contact | (08) 7625 5029 |
| Room type | Queen rooms |
| Laundry facilities | Available |
| Pickup/drop-off | Available |
What is on the Spalding hotel menu?
The Spalding Hotel’s kitchen opens at 6pm, serving dinner to guests and locals. The bar opens from 4pm, where reviewers on TripAdvisor describe a “typical Aussie hotel” with cold pints and a friendly atmosphere. The Friends of the Heysen Trail note that hikers and cyclists can request lunch packs with 24-hour notice. Saturday nights bring a free salad buffet for sides, and Sunday is wood-fired pizza night, according to TripAdvisor bar and lounge reviews. One October 2023 TripAdvisor reviewer called the pub the “Heart & Soul of the Heysen,” praising hosts Fletch and Angie for offering gluten-free options.
“Heart & Soul of the Heysen” – TripAdvisor review, October 2023
What are the Spalding hotel opening hours?
The bar opens at 4pm daily and the kitchen from 6pm. The Friends of the Heysen Trail confirm accommodation is available seven nights a week. Several TripAdvisor reviews note that Monday the hotel is closed to the public but remains open for overnight guests. On days when the restaurant is not formally open, the pub still provides a reduced meal menu for walkers and cyclists. The Saturday salad buffet and Sunday pizza night are reliable fixtures.
What to watch: If you arrive on a Monday, call ahead to confirm meal options; the hosts are known to adapt for trail users.
What are the Spalding hotel prices?
The Friends of the Heysen Trail list queen rooms from $85 AUD per night. This base rate positions the Spalding Hotel as a budget-friendly option for trail accommodation. However, one April 2023 TripAdvisor reviewer called the price “grossly overpriced” for a single room with shared facilities, comparing it to rooms at other country pubs in Burra ($50), Kapunda ($40) and Hallett ($41). That comparison applies to single rooms rather than queen rooms, so travellers expecting private bathrooms may want to confirm room type at booking. Camping and caravan parking out the back is also available, though no separate price is listed.
The catch: The $85 queen room rate is a starting point; rooms are basic with shared bathrooms, which suits hikers on a budget but may feel pricey compared to nearby towns with more competition.
What do Spalding community hotel reviews say?
TripAdvisor ranks the Spalding Hotel #1 of 1 small hotel in Spalding with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 from about 24–26 reviews. Reviewers consistently mention friendly hosts (Fletch and Angie), clean rooms, and a welcoming local bar with a fireplace. The Friends of the Heysen Trail’s own listing includes a walker comment: “Fletch and Ange were great hosts” after a two-night stay. Several TripAdvisor bar and lounge reviews highlight the camping and motorhome parking out the back, the Saturday salad buffet and Sunday pizza night, and the ongoing room-by-room refurbishment that is “lovingly restoring” the pub. A few reviews note that rooms are basic – twin beds, heater, TV, shared bathrooms – which aligns with the country pub character.
“Fletch and Ange were great hosts.” – Walker quoted by Friends of the Heysen Trail
The pattern: Community reviews consistently praise the hospitality and trail support, while acknowledging that the accommodation is no-frills.
Pros
- Friendly, responsive hosts (Fletch and Angie) – supported by TripAdvisor and Heysen Trail reviews
- Heysen Trail support: pickup/drop-off, laundry, lunch packs
- Budget rates starting at $85 per night
- Camping, caravan and motorhome parking at rear
- Saturday free salad buffet and Sunday wood-fired pizza
Cons
- Basic rooms with shared bathrooms (multiple TripAdvisor reviews)
- Some reviews mention bar noise late in the evening
- Monday closed to public; limited meal options
- Price considered high by a single reviewer compared to nearby towns
Pricing
Queen rooms from $85 AUD per night. The hotel falls into the budget-friendly band for country pub accommodation, with no seasonal variation confirmed in available sources. Camping and caravan rates are not publicly listed.
Location and getting there
The Spalding Hotel is at 19 Main Street, Spalding, South Australia 5454. It sits directly along the Heysen Trail route. The Friends of the Heysen Trail list the hotel’s coordinates and map references. Pickup and drop-off from the trail is available by prior arrangement – a service that former publican Geoff supported with an 11-seater Troopy, as reported by Outback Magazine. For more context on staying in South Australia, check out our comprehensive South Australian Hotel Guide.
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of rooms | 8 (per GdayPubs) |
| Room type | Queen rooms (twin beds available) |
| Bathroom | Shared (multiple TripAdvisor reviews) |
| Meals | Breakfast, dinner; lunch packs on request |
| Laundry | Washing and drying facilities |
| Pickup/drop-off | To Heysen Trail by arrangement |
| Camping | Caravan/motorhome parking at rear |
| Phone | (08) 7625 5029 |
| Address | 19 Main Street, Spalding SA 5454 |
Alternatives in Spalding
The Spalding Hotel is the only hotel in town on TripAdvisor, but Booking.com lists other accommodation types including farm stays and self-contained cabins. For walkers who want a different flavour on the trail, the Hebel Pub offers a similar historic outback stopover with meals and camping.
Sample one-day itinerary for a Heysen Trail walker
- Arrive before 4pm: Check in, drop gear.
- Afternoon: Use laundry facilities; rest in the bar with a beer by the fireplace.
- 6pm: Dinner in the pub kitchen (book ahead for dietary needs).
- Next morning: Breakfast included; pick up a lunch pack.
- Arrange pickup: Hosts will drop you back on the Heysen Trail.
Our pick
The Spalding Hotel is an excellent choice for Heysen Trail walkers and budget-conscious travellers who value trail support and country pub hospitality over luxury. The $85 queen room, laundry, pickup service, and hearty meals make it a practical base. Country pub enthusiasts will appreciate the historic “Barbed Wire Pub” character and the friendly local bar.
Sources cited
- Friends of the Heysen Trail – Spalding Hotel accommodation page
- Friends of the Heysen Trail – provider listing
- TripAdvisor – Spalding Hotel main listing
- TripAdvisor – bar and lounge feature
- Publocation – Spalding Hotel listing
- R.M. Williams Outback Magazine – “Down to the wire”
- GdayPubs – Barbed Wire Pub listing
tripadvisor.co.uk, tripadvisor.com, heysentrail.asn.au, tripadvisor.com.au, no.tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of Spalding Hotel?
19 Main Street, Spalding, South Australia 5454.
What is the phone number of Spalding Hotel?
(08) 7625 5029 (landline per Publocation).
Does Spalding Hotel serve breakfast and dinner?
Yes, breakfast and dinner are served; lunch packs are available with 24 hours’ notice (Friends of the Heysen Trail).
Are laundry facilities available at Spalding Hotel?
Yes, washing and drying facilities are available for guests (Friends of the Heysen Trail).
Does Spalding Hotel offer pickup and drop-off services?
Yes, to and from the Heysen Trail by prior arrangement (Friends of the Heysen Trail).
What type of rooms does Spalding Hotel offer?
Queen rooms (with twin beds also available) and shared bathrooms (TripAdvisor reviews).
Is accommodation available every night at Spalding Hotel?
Yes, seven nights per week (Friends of the Heysen Trail).