If you’ve spent any time exploring the Stuart Highway, you’ll know there are a handful of outback stops that aren’t just pubs, they’re landmarks. And one of the most recognisable, the Larrimah Hotel, better known as the Pink Panther pub, has just changed hands again.
A Pub With a Story
Perched about 180 kilometres south of Katherine, Larrimah is hardly more than a dot on the map. Yet its pub has become a world-famous icon thanks to its quirks: crocodiles called Sneaky Sam and Agro out the back, a giant pink panther statue out the front, and a reputation for being the last cold beer before a very long stretch of nothing.
Of course, the town also made headlines for darker reasons, the disappearance of local character Paddy Moriarty and his dog Kellie back in 2017. That story put Larrimah under the microscope of true crime podcasters and documentary crews from across the globe.
But while the mystery still lingers, the pub itself is heading in a new direction.
New Owners, Familiar Spirit
The new publican, Laura Ragless, who also owns the Stuarts Well Roadhouse south of Alice Springs, says she’s determined to keep the character of the place alive. Expect fresh paint, hearty food, and importantly for travellers, a place to fuel up. Ragless plans to offer diesel and petrol to road trains, caravanners, and outback tourers rolling through.
That’s a big win for anyone tackling the Stuart, where fuel stops can make or break a trip.
Why It Matters for Travellers
Outback pubs are lifelines. The Larrimah Hotel has been standing since 1957, relocated from Birdum, and for decades it’s been a meeting place for truckies, grey nomads, and anyone game enough to head that far bush.
With the NT Government developing a massive 5,700-hectare agricultural precinct nearby, the pub could soon see more traffic than ever before. But for those of us travelling the outback for its wide horizons and long, lonely highways, the Pink Panther pub will remain what it’s always been: a place to stop, swap stories, and experience a slice of outback Australia that you simply won’t find anywhere else.
On the Map Again
The Larrimah Hotel’s future looks bright. Whether you’re chasing a cold beer, snapping a photo with the pink panther, or just ticking off another legendary outback pub, this spot is worth pulling into. And with a new chapter unfolding, it’s proof once again that in the outback, the pub is the beating heart of the road.
