AUSTRAL HOTEL

The Austral Hotel, formerly the Bridge Hotel, at 34 Bridge Street, Korumburra, built in 1894 and designed by John Waugh, is significant. This substantial two-storey, rendered brick building has a two-storey timber post verandah (a replica of the original) with wooden balustrades and a hipped roof. It also features fenestration patterned decorations and original construction materials including the butter floor original rendered architraves and the original brick work at the base of the building. The traditional corner entry point and single chimney remain.
The interior of the ground floor is severely modified. The wooden elements on the upper level contribute to the significance of the building but currently require restoration. 
Non-original alterations and additions, other than those specified above, are not significant.

The Austral Hotel (formerly Bridge Hotel) is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance to the South Gippsland Shire.

Historically, the Austral Hotel is one of the oldest commercial buildings in Korumburra, being constructed in 1894 for John Sutcliffe. The land was purchased at the initial Korumburra land sales in October 1889. The size and grandeur of the Austral Hotel reflects the sense of optimism for the town of Korumburra following the opening of the South Eastern Railway in 1891. It represents the early commercial development and settlement of Korumburra. (Criterion A) 
Aesthetically, this is one of only two early hotels in the South Gippsland Shire that has relatively intact external features. The Austral Hotel's size and original structure, fenestrations, replica verandah and original brick work are all largely intact. Due to its prominent position within Korumburra, the building substantially contributes to the historic and aesthetic character of the town of Korumburra and the commercial zone of Commercial and Bridge Streets. (Criterion E) 
Socially, the Austral Hotel is significant to the community as a meeting place and town asset, especially during the early phase of Korumburra's development. The Bridge Hotel was used as a meeting place for the Korumburra Masonic Lodge prior to their Temple being built (see KOR-BR-025) and many other community groups use the space well into the 21 st century. (Criterion G)