Historic Cornfield Pub - QLD

Opening hours Mon - Sun 10-12pm.Manuka Station, one of the pioneer stations in the Winton district, originally held all the land surrounding the present site of Corfield. In the 1890s the Manuka Hotel was built to cater to travellers and Cobb & Co coaches between Winton and Hughenden. The extension of the railway line from Hughenden to Winton, encouraged the formation of small townships such as Corfield along the line. This settlement was originally called Manuka, but the name was changed to Corfield, in recognition of WH Corfield, teamster, publican, storekeeper and the 1888 - 1899 Member for Gregory in the Queensland Parliament. The Manuka Hotel was relocated beside the rail line, with a licence issued in 1898 to Horace Duncombe. The Manuka Hotel continued operation under various owners, until destroyed by fire about 1993. The township grew, with a regular rail workforce, many employees on the pastoral stations and post war influxes. Besides the hotel, a post office/telephone exchange and store, fuel depot and transport business, and primary school all operated. The Corfield School of Arts hall, built in the 1950s, was the regular venue for dances and other social gatherings. Today it is used for occasional meetings and other social functions. After many requests to government dating back to 1918, a provisional school opened in the School of Arts hall on 4 February 1957. Fourteen students were enrolled, under Principal JE Hannan. A new building was opened as Corfield State School in 1968, and continued to serve the community until its closure in December 1989. The Corfield district worked together and recreational activities flourished. The Corfield Race Club held its first race meeting in 1899, and the annual races continue to this day as the "Real Corfield Cup". Cricket and tennis were also popular. Since the 1980s a shrinking rural population, better roads and automation of services has resulted in the decline of settlements like Corfield. The telephone exchange/post office closed in 1992 and rail services gradually reduced, until the closure of the rail line in 2008.