Grandview Hotel in Bowen named nation's best regional pub

BRUCE Marshall manages the best country pub in Australia.

That's as of last month, when The Grandview Hotel in Bowen was awarded best regional hotel by the Australian Hotel Association.

Few accolades could earn a pub manager more respect and Mr Marshall said he's feeling "pretty chuffed".

"Just being a finalist was an honour for us," he said.

"When I found out, I was feeling pretty chuffed."

The hotel is owned by Mr Marshall's best friend Michael McLean.

"We grew up together, went to school together, played footy together," Mr Marshall said.

"Now we've made this work. He's the owner and I manage it."

The hotel featured in the movie "Australia", but the constant flow of awards, including 'best casual dining in Queensland' just last week, showed it didn't need Hollywood to stay in the spotlight.

Although Mr Marshall couldn't pinpoint what set his hotel apart, he said they aimed for consistency, good food and a family atmosphere.

But with Bowen doing it tough in the economic downturn, he was happy to get the town on the map.

"There's a lot of people doing it tough here, there's been a lot of people leave town," he said.

"We always like to support the community."

Source: Daily Mercury, Emily Smith, 2^nd October 2015
Originally published as: Grandview Hotel in Bowen named nation's best regional pub