Hit The Road: We Found A Charming Country Hotel In North QLD That’s Well Worth The Drive

If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore on your next North Queensland road trip, take the scenic route to Long Pocket. Just a 90-minute drive from Townsville, this tiny townlet in the vibrant Hinchinbrook region is home to one of the area’s best-kept secrets: Cloakey’s Hotel.

Set on a lush cane field with mountains rising in the distance, this beautifully restored country pub is a tropical take on the classic homestead. The red-brick building is wrapped in a wide verandah with a sloping roof, while rustic interiors give the relaxed, lived-in feel of a much-loved local. 

Open from Friday to Sunday, this is the perfect off-the-beaten-path destination for a long lunch or an arvo tipple in the country. 

Image credit: Cloakey's Hotel | Instagram 

Dating back to 1916, the original pub was destroyed in a 1941 cane fire and rebuilt as the one-storey brick venue you'll find today. Then in 2022, local cane farmer Sally Cloake gave the historic building a new lease on life, transforming it into a modern restaurant and bespoke distillery that has become a firm favourite with locals and travellers alike.  

Cloake's connection to the land shines through the menu, which spotlights locally produced and hyper-seasonal fare from land to sea. Expect signature house-smoked meats and North Queensland seafood spanning slow-cooked cuts of beef brisket, pulled pork, sausages and ribs served up in share-style platters, plus vegan and vegetarian options for the plant-based folks among us. 

Behind the bar, the focus is firmly Australian. The drinks list is stacked with locally crafted draught beers (from Burleigh Brewing to the house-favourite Hemingway's Brewing Canecutter lager), an extensive line-up of independent Australian wines and house-made spirits and liqueurs from the onsite distillery. Go for one of the gin, rum or vodka spirits crafted from Cloake's own cane farms and infused with botanicals sourced straight from the property’s orchard.  

Every weekend, the country pub becomes a gathering point for Long Pocket's tight-knit community, with pool tables and lawn games plus live music and open-mic events. And if you’re not ready to hit the road again, free overnight camping is available on the property for tents, swags, caravans and RVs, with furry friends welcome too. 

So pull up a chair on the verandah, order a glass of something cold and watch the afternoon breeze roll through the emerald green cane fields. Trust us, Cloakey's Hotel is well worth the detour. 

Image: Cloakey's Hotel | Facebook