Cracow Hotel, Cracow QLD
Rolling into Cracow there is really only one place to go and that's the pub. Cracow Hotel would have to be one of the most "rough as guts" country pubs I have been to - let alone stayed the night in. I think Mr Squiggle (showing my age) was the Production Designer and he must have been sniffing his chalk as he worked. Every bit of wall has a name or two and a story to go with it.
Cracow Hotel was also home to Fred Brophy boxing tent troupe and many of the fighters have left their mark on the walls and their blood on the floorboards. A few fading black and white pics remind us of the 1980's fights when pretty much anything goes in Queensland (and some will say still does). The rest of the town is quieter than squashed Cane Toad. May as well have a XXXX and order the kangaroo burger. Despite the rough edges, the Cracow Hotel offered a decent sleep with only a few ghosts dancing along the floorboards that night. We met the new owners and a serious bit of spring cleaning was planned - seems a shame but understandable if reading Mr Squiggle everyday!
© MARTIN J THORNE 2021
