Hop to it: Frog race famous pub for sale

Noonamah Tavern and Rodeo, famous for its frog races and bucking bulls, has been listed for sale.

The award-winning pub sits about 40 clicks from Darwin city and has been in the hands of Tony Innes for almost two decades.

Mr Innes said he listed the business for sale to see what interest there was for the Territory icon.

“I don’t have to sell, it’s more a chance to test the waters,” he said.

“It’s not about bailing out of the industry or the pub.

“Business has been very strong for the last three years, probably the best trade we’ve ever had.

“It’s just a point in my life where I’m potentially looking for a different challenge.”

The self-proclaimed accidental publican said owning a tavern was never his plan.

“First time I came to the Territory was in the late 80s, working out on stations, and came back in the 90s doing ag contracting,” he said.

“We were looking to buy a small station and stumbled on the pub for sale in 2005.

“It was meant to be a three-year plan and here I am 18 years later.”

Noonamah Tavern has a steakhouse, beer garden and drive-through bottle shop, and hosts events such as the annual Melbourne Cup day Frog Races and a rockabilly car and bike show.

The biannual rodeo attracts about 3,000 spectators.

“In the last couple of years the latest craze has been helicopter pub tours, which is pretty unique to the Top End,” Mr Innes said.

“We’re usually the first drop in or last drop in on a tour.

“We’ve got footage there of 10 helicopters parked at the Noonamah.

“They’re only there for a short visit but they all love it and they do come back in their cars.”

Last month the ‘Noonie’ won its third Outstanding Pub/Tavern Community Service and Achievement gong at the Hospitality NT Excellence Awards.

“We’re very proud of what we put back into the community,” Mr Innes said.

“We did some figures a couple of years ago and conservatively in the time we’ve had the tavern we’ve raised about a quarter of a million dollars for charity.

“About 70 per cent of that has gone to Variety NT.”

Mr Innes said there had been some interest in the pub from interstate and local buyers already.

“It does lend itself to a family operation with experience in the hospitality industry and I’m happy to continue running the rodeo independently or in cahoots with the new owner,” he said.

Noonamah Tavern and Rodeo is for sale via expressions of interest closing June 7 at 4pm.