The first Erica Hotel was a classic country pub — single-storey, timber-built, and always busy. It served the workers of the local sawmills, the crews building the rail line, and families who’d come into town for supplies. Weddings were toasted here. Locals met their future spouses here. And more than a few tall tales were told over the bar.
Over time, the town changed. The railway line closed in 1954 and the mills slowly shut down but the pub stayed put, adapting with each generation.
In the early 1980s, disaster struck. A fire tore through the old hotel, destroying much of the original building. But like everything in Erica, the spirit didn’t burn down with the walls.
Locals rallied. Plans were drawn. And by 1983, the new Erica Hotel Motel was open. Stronger, larger, and built to last. This time, it included motel rooms out the back, a proper bistro, and a garden bar. The heart of town was beating again.
These days, the Erica Hotel Motel is run by Mick and Katie — locals with a love for good hospitality and a no-fuss attitude. They’ve brought new life to the place, from Friday happy hours and live music on the deck to trivia nights, hot rock meals, and birthdays that go late.
But look closely, and you’ll still find the stories of the past. The saw blades on the walls. The old photographs. The warmth in the welcome.
The Erica Hotel isn’t just somewhere to eat or sleep. It’s where locals gather, travellers refuel, and families start traditions. It’s where old stories are passed down, and new ones begin.
And that’s how it’s always been
Erica is 2 hours east of Melbourne and 20 minutes north of Moe.
You’ll know you’ve made it when you see the pub, the pine trees, and the locals standing out front for a yarn.
