We could write a book...

The Mattara Hotel was officially opened on the 23rd May 1963 and replaced the Charlestown Hotel that was (some would say cruelly) demolished where the Pacific Highway now runs. Our first publican was Mr. Ian Barr.

In 1963 the Hotel was seen as the most modern in the area and Beer was two shillings a schooner. Tooths was flavour of the day and we only sold brown beer (which came in 18 gallon kegs). The Public Bar often resembeled a labour exchange on Saturday mornings with construction workers in particular on the lookout for work. The Bar was a strictly "men only" affair while the Saloon Bar was designated a "Husband and Wife area".

Like most Hotels of the time, The Mattara offered accommodation and had fifteen bedrooms.

Over time the pub gained a somewhat chequered reputation and was in need of some serious attention when it reached the age of forty in 2003. At that point in it's history, the locally-based McCloy Group stepped in to give the Hotel a new lease of life.

The Mattara has always been known as "The Local" for Charlestown people (and a few others besides...) but with the development of Charlestown and the many surrounding suburbs, it was decided to think big and make the Mattara the newest, brightest and best hotel in the district.

The McCloy group has invested some $6.5M in the refurbishment of the Hotel and have turned it into a modern Hotel with real heart. The property was transformed with a new look incorporating sandstone, glass metal and timber and additional Entertaining and Dining areas were built along with Function and Meeting Rooms where the accommodation had once stood.

The unique and stunning fish tanks were added to grace the main area of The Hotel and state of the art technology was introduced into the Kitchen and Bars to ensure we were able to cater for our customers safely and efficiently.

So, after 42 years, hundreds of staff and a huge number of patrons, The Mattara is indeed a child of the 21st Century.

We look forward to the next chapter...