Carolyn Coffey and Sean Kelly decided they wanted to open a pub, but didn’t want to do it for fame or the after-work rush of punters at the bar. So, halfway through 2024, the couple bought and renovated the semi-illustrated (and maybe haunted) Railway Hotel in Elaine.
Caroyln told the Brolga the pair expected renovation to take a year, but the level of work required took the timeline closer to 18 months.
“It’s been operating on and off, but not properly,” she said. “There were no [beer] taps, no equipment, it was very run down.”
The history: The Elaine Railway Hotel originally opened in 1874 when a railway station, on the old Geelong to Ballarat line, was still open across the road.
In its early days, it is said the pub even functioned as a brothel. Locals say the town was named for the establishment's madam - Elaine,
Local chat: Carolyn said many locals have asked her if she’s “seen all the ghosts”.
“Apparently, one of the publicans had someone come at him with an axe,” she said, adding the publican - Henry Grey - was forced to shoot the patron in self defense. This happened in 1922, and is just one of the stories locals tell about deaths in the building.
“People just love a ghost story,” Carolyn said.
The new digs: The newly reopened, refurbished pub is Irish themed. Sean grew up in Ireland, before relocating to Australia in the late 1980s. Carolyn is originally from Bendigo but has spent most of her life in Melbourne working in hospitality.
“We’ve got to know so many locals around the area, popping in asking when we’re gonna open,” said Caroyln “It’s a gathering place, you know?”
What next? The Elaine Railway Hotel officially opened on October 7, and is pouring pints Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm.
Header Image: Welcome to Moorabool