For many years the Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton has been known as the city’s first hotel and the much-loved “grand lady of the city”.
The first version of the Leichhardt Hotel was opened in 1864 on the corner of Denham and Bolsover Streets Rockhampton as a first-class family hotel. In 1889 a new building was erected over the old building.
The story of the Rockhampton’s Leichardt Hotel is inextricably tied to the development of the town itself. When gold was discovered by an enterprising Cornish miner named Chapple, the rush at Canoona, 35 miles from Rockhampton, was on in 1858. It was a catalyst for the opening up and settlement of the area.
In a collected book of his articles in The Morning Bulletin and The Capricornian, J.T.S. Bird published in 1904 writes extensively about the early days of Rockhampton including a chapter on its early “Town and Country Hotels”. “The usual order of forming a township in Australia in the old times was first a hotel, next a general store, then a blacksmith’s smithy and a saddler’s shop. Another hotel was then pretty sure to follow. Rockhampton was scarcely an exception.”
He writes: “Mrs Glasscock built the Leichhardt Hotel in 1864 and kept it until her death. Mrs Longmore, Mr John Joyce and Mr R.D. Cruickshank subsequently took it and on Mr Cruickshank’s retirement in 1870 Mr John Gibbs, from the Denis Hotel, took possession. On the death of her husband Mrs Gibbs carried on the hotel for some years, when she married Mr J. Esler, who died about three years ago.
“The hotel has obtained a wide and excellent reputation as a first-class hostelry, mainly through the kindness and attention of Mrs Esler, who added to and greatly improved the building.”
In 1890 The Daily Northern Argus wrote glowingly of the impact a local architect, Mr James Flint, was having on Rockhampton. Mr Flint, the paper said, “is now thoroughly identified with the embellishment of this town, having designed the Leichardt Hotel, the Union Hotel and Theatre Royal and the Queensland Hotel, all of which constitute some of the best marks of the city.”
Twenty years later, in March 1910, The Capricornian of Rockhampton announced that Mr J. Morrison, licensee of the Imperial Hotel, Mount Morgan [35 kilometres from Rockhampton] has conducted The Imperial, which is the principal hotel in Mount Morgan, with conspicuous success, and this is the best assurance that could be given that he will make the Leichardt an exceedingly attractive and comfortable hotel.”
He clearly achieved this aim, as by September of that year the hotel was being frequented by high-calibre guests. The Catholic Press reported that under the management of J. Morrison, no less a family than Governor Sir William Macgregor and Lady and Miss Macgregor had visited and “expressed themselves as well satisfied with the attention and accommodation they enjoyed, which speaks well for the hotel, and assures all visitors that they will receive only the best of attention.”
Indeed The Catholic Press published several articles around this time praising the pub. In 1911 the newspaper carried a story describing it as “palatial”, adding that its tariffs were very reasonable. “The Leichhardt Hotel is so often commended that it is really only necessary to mention the name to regular travellers.
“But for those who propose visiting this well-known town for the first time these palatial premises will be found to offer everything in material comfort at terms suitable to the average pocket. Mr J. Morrison is the proprietor and has had long experience as a host.”
Again, in 1912, the same paper wrote: “For first-class accommodation and all-round up-to-date business methods, the Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton holds pride of place. Also it is situated in the most attractive part of Rockhampton.” Under Mr Morrison’s “genial management”, the hotel was “a popular resort” for both visitors and townspeople. It also offered something of a restaurant review. “An excellent cuisine is kept, also the best brands of liquors, wines & etc.”
In 1914 The Capricornian newspaper reported the “Jubilee” of the hotel. “It will be of interest to many residents of Rockhampton and the district to know that the Leichhart Hotel, of which Mr Morrison is now the popular landlord, was first opened in October 1864 by Mrs Isabella Glasscock.
“The Leichhardt Hotel was then, as now, in the very centre of the bustling portion of the town.” The opening of “a first-class family hotel in such a convenient position was hailed with satisfaction by residents and visitors. The death of Mrs Glasscock a few years later caused the hotel to change hands on several occasions, those who held it for the longest period being the late Mr R.D. Cruickshank and the late Mrs Esler, formerly Mrs Gibbs.”
In what would turn out to be an accurate summation, the paper went on to praise the work of Mrs Gibbs and suggest the hotel was here to stay.
“It was the latter lady [Mrs Gibbs] who greatly enlarged and improved the public hostelery, though further additions and improvements were made subsequently until the hotel became one of the best and most comfortable in the town and district. A good many hotels have come and gone since 1864, but the Leichhardt has evidently become one of the permanent institutions of the town.”
Most locals around Rockhampton today would associate the hotel with the Duthies, Les and Emily, who acquired the hotel in 1960. It later became well-known in Rockhampton as Duthie’s Leichhardt Hotel.
In 2004 Les Duthie, a prominent business identity in Rockhampton, died aged 91. The ABC reported that hundreds of people overflowed from the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Wandal yesterday to celebrate his life.
The former licensee of Duthie’s Leichhardt Hotel, Alan Lamb, says Mr Duthie’s handshake was his bond. He told the ABC that much of the development in the city and the surrounding area was due to their enthusiasm and zeal for growth and development. “Les worked tirelessly to improve and obtain new developments for Rockhampton. Les was like an icon of the city, and he became known as ‘Mr Rockhampton’.”
Deputy mayor Jim Webber told the ABC the establishment of Rockhampton’s first international standard hotel was one of the highlights of Mr Duthie’s distinguished career. “I think the building of the Leichhardt from the old original building, the amount of development and work went on there,” he said.
“The functions rooms that he provided when at that time there was no other function rooms in the city.”
The Leichhardt Hotel remains an important and much-loved part of the history of Rockhampton.
In 2024, after more than 160 years as one of Rockhampton’s most iconic establishments, the Leichhardt Hotel was carefully demolished to make way for a new era. The decision marked both the end of a storied chapter and the beginning of another—honouring the site’s legacy while creating space for a new future.
During the process, a number of the hotel’s historic architectural elements, including its original arches and timber beams, were carefully preserved. These heritage features will be thoughtfully incorporated into the new design, ensuring that the spirit and craftsmanship of the original building remain part of its next chapter.
Construction of the new Leichhardt Hotel began in 2025, with plans to create a modern hospitality destination that reflects the growth and character of contemporary Rockhampton while paying homage to the grand history of “the city’s first hotel.” Designed to blend heritage inspiration with modern comfort, the new venue will once again stand proudly as a cornerstone of the community—continuing the Leichhardt’s long tradition of welcoming locals and travellers alike.