While there may not be any mad people at the bar, the former Drake Hotel in northern NSW serves up plenty of theories about the origin of its name.
Story John Dunn Photos Sera J Wright
The Bruxner Highway is an unhurried roadway meandering through mountain country in north-eastern NSW from Ballina to Tenterfield. It connects important rural centres like Lismore and Casino, but also passes through some largely unremarkable villages such as Mummulgum and Mallanganee. In tiny Drake, a long, low building just off the bitumen describes itself prominently, and surprisingly, as the Lunatic Hotel Motel. Vehicles brake and their occupants do a double take.
“There are probably more U-turns here than in most other places,” says Nicole Small who, with partner Richard Norris, runs the hotel. “Drivers and their passengers are fascinated. They can’t believe the name. They’re curious and they want to find out more.”
Nicole assures visitors there aren’t any lunatics on site. “We’re just a normal country pub looking after mostly district people who rear cattle and grow blueberries, as well as weekenders who come to do a bit of bush walking and enjoy the rural scenery around the Rocky River,” she explains.
This story excerpt is from issue #167
Outback Magazine: June/July 2026
