In this ever-changing world of today, it is unusual to find a business that has been operating for over 60 years. The other remarkable milestone of this business, is that in those years the business has only had two owners. This is the story of what is now known as the Sow and Piglets Guesthouse and brewpub. In the late 1960s, the laws pertaining to driving under the influence was changed in Victoria. The Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club was the focal point of the community in those days. Many of the members lived out of town and being law-abiding citizen‘s, they decided to buy a house in Tregea Street so that they could stay the night. Folklore has it that a backpacker turned up and enquired if there was accommodation. The story goes that this was the commencement of the Port Campbell Hostel. The business grew and was very much a community business. An adjoining building was purchased and further lodgings – Matheson House – was leased.
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The hostel was part of the YHA franchise. A decision was made in 2007 to demolish the existing two structures in Tregea Street and a purpose-built hostel was completed in 2009 and accommodated around 95 guests. In 2014, a decision by the PCSLSC was made to divest of non-core assets and the current owners purchased the business in September 2014.
Over the past nine years the owners have invested a considerable amount of money in extending and adding businesses to the original structure. In 2015 what is now referred to as The Snug was added to the building. In 2016, a purpose-built microbrewery was built. The brewery was named the Sow and Piglets and this was in deference to George Bass, who in 1798 when circumnavigating Australia came across what is now known as the 12 Apostles.
The small microbrewery was an immediate success due in part to the brewing skills of Julian Widera, our German trained brewer. Julian was trained and educated in brewing in Berlin and to this day, his beers are all naturally brewed.
Responding to Covid, the owners realised that the domestic market wanted more than hostel accommodation. A makeover was made of the accommodation to cater for all types of travellers. The business undertook a name change and is now known as the Sow and Piglets Guesthouse. Apart from 11 extremely well furnished and decorated private rooms, there are also seven shared rooms for the younger traveller.
All furniture has been upgraded to cater to a more sophisticated customer base. The lounge area is child friendly and excellent range of games are available. The dining area has also been refurbished and has a very warm feel to it. For those who are seeking privacy, there’s The Snug which has a fireplace for those cold winter nights.
For the coming summer of 2024 a beer garden is being added. This will have a distinct German flavour, offering German style beers. In keeping with the uptake of electric vehicles, four high speed EV charge stations are being added in 2024. The Corangamite Council is spending $16 million on the community upgrade to Port Campbell. This is the largest single expenditure ever undertaken by the council and will revitalise the township. In readiness for the summer, the new $6 million bike track from Timboon to Port Campbell will be completed. The upgrades that we have made and the investment by the local council, augurs well for an increase in traffic and tourism to Port Campbell.
To capitalise on the tourism market, a new brand of beer has been added to the current range. A new brewery and a small bottling line has recently been installed and this will allow the business to service the local market. This new range of beers will be branded under the 12 Apostles Brewery. Local geographic names will be used to enhance the appeal to the tourism market. The region is fortunate to have an extremely enthusiastic group of artisans who market under the name of the 12 Apostles Food Trail. A range of beers using produce from these various artisans will be released over the insuring 12 months. This will include such delicious craft beers as whiskey stout, chocolate Porter, strawberry Red Ale, etc. The company has also invested in mobile beer dispensing units which are available for hire for such events as weddings, birthdays, etc.
