Skilly Crew Breathe New Life Into Auburn’s Historic Rising Sun Hotel
There’s a buzz in the air in Auburn — and it’s not just the delicious Sunday roasts wafting from the kitchen of the Rising Sun Hotel.
After a well-earned refresh, the pub is ready to reopen its doors under new ownership — with a familiar Clare Valley crew behind the revival. The team from Skillogalee has taken the reins of the grand old pub — spending the past couple of months prepping Auburn’s oldest commercial building for its next chapter.
Established in 1851, the pub has long been at the heart of the town, with its iconic verandah and rich history as a local meeting place. The new team has leaned right into preserving its character, peeling back the layers to restore original timber flooring, uncovering old fireplaces, giving it a paint and replacing the 90’s style bar with materials more fitting for the pub’s era. They’ve also transformed the former pokies room into a welcoming dining space and launched a classic bar menu with pub favourites from schnitzel’s and burgers, fish and chips and Sunday Roast specials.
At the helm is the Skillogalee trio — Guy Parkinson (General Manager), Priscila Cunha (Hospitality Manager), and Dan Moss (Executive Chef), along with a fantastic team of both new and familiar faces. And rest assured, the Rising Sun will remain its own distinct venue — a classic country pub celebrating local drops with a welcoming country atmosphere.
