Does Googong have Canberra’ largest and most luxe pub? At $25 million, we’d suggest yes

Posted on 12 November, 2026

Googong’s long-awaited local pub is here, with The Glenrock Hotel set to officially open its doors tomorrow.

It promises to welcome the growing Googong community into a space designed to feel like an extension of their own living rooms – only much, much fancier!

Overlooking Bunyip Park and the lake of Googong, just 10 kms outside of Queanbeyan, the $25 million, two-storey development boasts sweeping views across the township’s picturesque parklands, with a 400-seat family bistro, sports bar, beer garden, children’s play area and dedicated Asian restaurant. Overall, the venue can accommodate 800 patrons.

Behind The Glenrock Hotel are experienced regional publicans Anthony and Sandy McDonald, who also own and operate Queanbeyan’s Royal Hotel – undertakinging a major makeover in 2018 to make it a regional dining, event space and live music hotspot on the main street.  For Anthony, the opening marks the culmination of a vision more than a decade in the making.

“I’ve had my eye on Googong for about ten years. We’ve watched the township grow and develop into what it is today, and we’ve always felt there was an opportunity to create something really special here,” Anthony says.

“Googong already has such a strong sense of community. Our hope is that The Glenrock Hotel becomes a natural extension of that, somewhere people feel comfortable dropping into, whether it’s for their morning coffee, dinner with the family or a drink with friends.”

The Glenrock Hotel will initially open for lunch and dinner, seven days, with breakfast service to follow in the coming days, giving locals another spot to enjoy their morning coffee overlooking the lake.

The venue’s dedicated Asian restaurant, Fire Horse, is set to open shortly. The restaurant also provides the inspiration behind the striking Fire Horse mural adorning the side of the building, created by artist Cam Scale.

The Glenrock Hotel’s distinctive architecture takes inspiration from the colourful beach boxes of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with striking rooflines, expansive windows and spaces that connect the venue to its surrounding parkland.

Designed by architect Yuri Leong and built by Shaw Building Group, the interiors are the work of Cat from Five Foot One Design and the vision took 16 months to bring to light using steel, brick and lots of glass. You can’t miss it.

According to Anthony, the inspiration goes well beyond the building’s appearance.

“The idea behind those beach boxes is that everything you need for a day at the beach is right there. You don’t have to go anywhere else,” he said.

“We wanted to bring a similar approach to The Glenrock Hotel. Whether you’re picking up a coffee on your morning walk, grabbing something to eat after the kids’ sport, meeting friends to watch the footy or settling in for a long lunch, there’s a space for all of it.

“We want it to feel like an extension of your lounge room. Somewhere you can drop into for half an hour or comfortably spend the whole afternoon.”

Positioned alongside Bunyip Park and the lake, the venue will complement the way Googong residents already spend their time, with easy access for locals walking or cycling through town, families visiting the park and community groups looking for somewhere to gather.

Beyond its food and beverage offering, Anthony and Sandy are equally focused on establishing meaningful relationships with the local community. Plans are already underway to support local sporting, community and social clubs.

For the McDonalds, who have spent more than a decade building relationships with patrons at their Queanbeyan venue, becoming part of the Googong community is something they are particularly looking forward to.

“We’ve been really fortunate with the welcome we’ve received from the Googong community, and we don’t take that for granted,” says Anthony.

“We know that opening the doors is just the beginning. We want to get to know our neighbours, support the local clubs and community groups and listen to what people want.

“Hopefully, over time, The Glenrock Hotel becomes somewhere people are proud to call their local. That’s something you have to earn, and we’re really looking forward to being part of it.”

While you wait for Fire Horse to open its doors, the bistro is serving now – everything from the standard pub grub of burgers, pizzas, steaks and schnitties, to more elevated fare such as barramundi in a coconut curry, roasted cauliflower with pistachio, almonds and zhoug, braised lamb curry, and entire rotisserie chickens and porchettas with sides in either half or full servings.

As expected, the wine and cocktail list is extensive, preferencing good Australian drops and beer lovers are well covered, which, despite its imposing looks and hefty pricetag, is what The Glenrock Hotel wants to do best.