The Royal Carrangarra Hotel
After spending a couple of days exploring the sights of Mitchell it was time to hitch up the van and continue on our road trip. We were making our way north west up the Matilda Way to Tambo. Before we got to Tambo we had a quick stop over in Augathella and a few 
’s at the Ellangowan HOTEL. This is one of your classic country hotels and worth a visit.
’s at the Ellangowan HOTEL. This is one of your classic country hotels and worth a visit.Tambo is situated between Augathella and Blackall along the Landsborough Highway. Tambo sits along the mighty Barcoo River and the town is well known for its “Tambo Teddies” & “Chicken Races” I was in town for two reasons 
’s and chicken races and both could be found at the one place The Royal Carrangarra Hotel Tambo.
’s and chicken races and both could be found at the one place The Royal Carrangarra Hotel Tambo.The Royal hotel opened it’s doors way back in 1864 but current owner Ben has been here a tick over 4 years. Ben’s no stranger to pubs, his parents were in the game for many years, so when this pub came up for sale Ben jumped at the opportunity.
Like many towns out in the bush Tambo relies heavily on the tourist season (Apr – Oct) and during peaks times this hotel can employ up to 12 staff. 2020 was tough and Ben had to come up with new ideas to keep his staff employed particularly his chef. So Ben decided to start making & baking their own ’s and then turned the front room of the hotel into a hole in the wall bakery. Open daily from 10am to 4pm, plus you could possibly grab a cold to wash down your .
’s and then turned the front room of the hotel into a hole in the wall bakery. Open daily from 10am to 4pm, plus you could possibly grab a cold to wash down your .’s weren’t the only genius idea this legend thought of. Ben came up with the idea of racing chooks !!! Yep that’s right full blown chicken racing, the first and only chicken racing in 
. Racing 7 nights a week during tourist season, punters can buy a chook and if it’s runs like “Winx” your winning bird receives 50% of the prize pool. The other 50% of the purse goes to the Royal Flying Doctors. Ben and his star chickens have raised just shy of $20,000. Now that’s simply OUTSTANDING !!! My chook “Pink Bits” was dead set robbed too !!!!Unfortunately the day we rocked up Ben was in Brisbane, so Anita one of staff gave me the tour and then bought out fresh ’s straight out of the oven, the sunbeam oven sitting on the bar. I was always going to try one of Ben’s curry mince ’s and gee it smelt and looked good.
’s straight out of the oven, the sunbeam oven sitting on the bar. I was always going to try one of Ben’s curry mince ’s and gee it smelt and looked good.THE REVIEW 1. Value for Money – $7 was reasonable value for a of this size. This thing was slightly bigger than the normal pie and weighed heavy too. Overall I would be happy to pay $7 this sized again. 8/10
of this size. This thing was slightly bigger than the normal pie and weighed heavy too. Overall I would be happy to pay $7 this sized again. 8/102. Meat Ratio – This thing was absolutely jammed packed. Ben made special mention that his ’s may not be cheap, but they are FULL and this one was chocka block. 10/10
’s may not be cheap, but they are FULL and this one was chocka block. 10/103. Meat Flavour – One word “Superb”. I’m note sure what made this so special, but the was full of flavor. Dry roasted meat, garlic, onion, gravy powder, beef stock, tomato & Worcestershire sauce. Everything about this I loved. 10/10
so special, but the was full of flavor. Dry roasted meat, garlic, onion, gravy powder, beef stock, tomato & Worcestershire sauce. Everything about this I loved. 10/104. Pastry – The pastry may have been paper thin, but it was also full of flavor. The stability was excellent and the didn’t move one bit. Top and bottom bake was perfect. 9.5/10
didn’t move one bit. Top and bottom bake was perfect. 9.5/105. Temperature – I wanted to eat this as soon as it got out of the oven, but Anita told me to wait a few mins and I’m glad I did. By the time I took my first bite, it was a perfect temperature. 10/10
as soon as it got out of the oven, but Anita told me to wait a few mins and I’m glad I did. By the time I took my first bite, it was a perfect temperature. 10/10Overall Rating
47.5/50 I loved every bite of this . Yeah $7 is a little up there, but it was worth the price tag. The flavor and pastry was beautiful and Ben didn’t skimp on the meat ratio either. Just goes to show what you can make with a simple sunbeam oven and a good cook !!!!
. Yeah $7 is a little up there, but it was worth the price tag. The flavor and pastry was beautiful and Ben didn’t skimp on the meat ratio either. Just goes to show what you can make with a simple sunbeam oven and a good cook !!!!To the entire team at the pub, thanks for your time and hospitality. This place is your classic outback pub and then some. From the ’s to the huge steaks, the food was next level. Plus your four legged friend is also welcome in the bar. That’s right dogs are allowed to sit with you and enjoy a schooner !!! Ben your tireless work raising money for one of Australia’s most needed charities is incredible, I cannot wait to come back smash your ’s and hopefully see Pink Bits.
’s to the huge steaks, the food was next level. Plus your four legged friend is also welcome in the bar. That’s right dogs are allowed to sit with you and enjoy a schooner !!! Ben your tireless work raising money for one of Australia’s most needed charities is incredible, I cannot wait to come back smash your ’s and hopefully see Pink Bits.Tambo and the Royal Carrangarra Hotel is a absolute must stop. The best part is the free camping site at “Stubby Bend” on the Barcoo River and Ben runs a bus into town during the tourist season. Tambo is only tiny, but has so much on offer, so don’t forget this little hidden gem the next time your heading west.
