Plenty of pubs serve our nation’s capital, but few boast a history as rich as the Old Canberra Inn. Photo: Gillespie Collection. Hall Heritage Centre.
Welcome to the Old Canberra Inn, where even the possums have generations of history behind them.
Located in modern-day Lyneham, this pub has donned many a hat in its 168 years of life.
From a settler’s hut to a coach stop and a farm to a family residence, the story of how a humble home became the beloved watering hole it is today is one of transformation, happenstance, and good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Built in 1857 by Joseph Shumack, the original slab-and-pole hut was home for the farmer and his wife, Bridget, for almost two decades.
There was no ‘Lyneham’ to speak of back then. Canberra was yet to form, so very little infrastructure existed between Yass and Queanbeyan.
What did exist was a well-travelled road, which happened to pass right by the Schumack residence.
These days, the inn is looked after by hospitality group The Meem Collective. Directors Ben Johnston, Kalina Kolof and Nick Diver have worked hard to unravel the lives of past custodians, starting with the Shumack family.
“The Schumacks converted their home into a licensed tavern in 1876, marking the building’s first transformation,” Nick says.
“Being on the main road, the ‘Canberra Inn’ quickly became a popular stop for mail and passenger coaches on the Yass-Queanbeyan run. It was a vital waypoint for weary travellers, offering respite in the form of a hearty meal and drinks by the fire.
“Even the odd prospector on their way to Araluen Goldfields is said to have stopped here.”
The building’s first chapter was busy but relatively short-lived, coming to a close 11 years later.
By the early 1880s, a racecourse had been erected just opposite the inn, attracting a new, more energetic crowd that boosted business tenfold.
Thanks to this success, Joseph Shumack expanded his landholding to focus on farming sheep and wheat. He sold the business to his nephew, John Read, in 1887.
Mr Read shut down public trading and turned the inn, now larger and equipped with more amenities, back into a private home for his growing family.
And so the Canberra Inn was again transformed, this time into ‘The Pines’ family farm.
The Reads continued to live at The Pines for almost a century, working the land and remaining active in the local community through sport.
“Thomas Read was the last to live there, until he passed away in 1973,” Nick says.
“The old homestead had fallen into disrepair by then. Luckily, the ACT Government purchased the property a year later and began restorations.
“It was eventually relicensed as the Old Canberra Inn, beginning a new chapter that has continued through to today.”
The Meem Collective became part of the inn’s story in 2014. The team had a few local venues under its belt already and knew a fresh lick of paint was all it’d need to bring modern punters to the historic pub.
Today, the Old Canberra Inn stands as a cherished establishment with a strong connection to its past. History and modern hospitality meet under low-slung ceilings, carrying warmth through every room.
“I like to think we’ve struck a perfect balance between a relaxed, authentic atmosphere and professional service,” Nick says.
“Our menu mixes old-school classics with weekly seasonal specials, our taps are always flowing with tasty local brews, and our staff love a chat with their regulars.”
There’s always something on, whether it’s live music, twice-weekly trivia, a summer beer, wine and cider festival, or a tap takeover night to highlight local brewers.
And while the pub can be a bit of a maze for newcomers, there’s a certain charm to its flagstone corridors, fireside couches, and sprawling beer garden with century-old wisteria vines.
“We’re really proud of our history, so it’s an honour to showcase it,” Nick says.
“We have beautiful old photos of the inn’s past custodians on display in our main function space, affectionately named the Shumack room.
“Even the possums have been here for generations. It doesn’t get more authentic than that.”
The Old Canberra Inn is located at 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham. The pub and kitchen are open 12 pm to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and 12 pm until late Friday and Saturday.
