Oh it's-a lonesome away from your kindred and all
By the campfire at night we'll hear the wild dingos call
But there's nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear
Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer.
by Gordon Parsons, recorded by his friend Slim Dusty
Not far from Berowra Waters stands the ruin of what could have been one of Australia’s great watering holes. But the beer does not flow at this memorial to a gamble that did not come off.
In 1900, a champion axeman and hotelier named John Fretus spotted an opportunity. A road was planned to run from Berrilee to Calabash Bay and then across to Cunio Point. Fretus purchased a site on the proposed road to Calabash Bay. He then moved the stone from another hotel at Sans Souci to this site and proceeded to build the Fretus Hotel. Unfortunately the road never arrived. When the route was properly surveyed it was seen to be impractical. Plans for a route to Berowra via Calabash Bay were abandoned and the road never arrived at the Fretus Hotel. Having never had a heyday, the property soon went into decline.
To get the full story however, you will need to visit the cache. The best way to access this cache is via the McCallums Avenue fire trail at Berrilee.
In tribute to this “lonesome, morbid and drear” location, the cache has a “beery” theme. Swaps should stick to the theme please!
Initial swaps;
Slim Dusty CD
Heineken Coasters
Miniature Guiness Bottle
Cusquena Bottle Fridge Magnet
Malt Shovel Bottle opener
Coopers Glass Stubby holder
DIY lagerphone kit
“Win for Life” scratchy for FTF
On your way to the Pub with No Beer, why not visit The Dust Hole (GCHB6M)?
