Roaring back: How the Lions Den Hotel weathered Tropical Cyclone Jasper

Nestled in the heart of the Tropical North Queensland rainforest, the Lions Den Hotel has long been a well-known watering hole for locals and tourists. Owned by Judith Fry for more than 10 years, the Hotel is more than just a business; it's a part of her life's tapestry, woven with countless memories and friendships formed over the years.

But when floodwater from Tropical Cyclone Jasper rose to the rafters and lapped at years’ worth of well-worn caps and battered hats, lost number plates, stubby coolers, stickers and markings collected from those who had visited the pub, Judith wasn’t sure what the future would hold for the beloved local icon.  

Judith says while she knew Tropical Cyclone Jasper was looming, she’d never expected the influx of floodwaters to reach her business. 

“This is the worst disaster event we’ve experienced without a doubt. We’ve had other cyclones here, but we’re protected on both sides by hills and the pub itself is just a tin shed with a cobb and co verandah.

"We were getting a bit of rain, nothing out of the ordinary. It [the cyclone] crept up on us," Judith recalls. 

The floodwaters rose swiftly, submerging the hotel and leaving Judith and others stranded on the roof until a helicopter could rescue them.

"The floodwaters went to the roof, the pub filled up like a bucket with holes. We were on the roof for hours.”

Once the floodwaters receded, the real work began. Despite the overwhelming damage, the community's spirit was unbroken, with everyone pitching in to restore the beloved establishment.

"There was mud, mud, and more mud and rubbish, and we wondered, ‘How are we going to do it?’. My family and I did it together with a lot of help from local people. They wanted their local pub up and running again, so we got in and cleaned up."  

The financial strain of the disaster was immense, but Judith found a lifeline in a Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). 

"It was very, very helpful to receive the assistance, without it I would have had to close the doors and walk away from the Lions Den Hotel. It was too costly; everything had to be renewed," Judith said.

The disaster grant allowed Judith to retain essential staff and cover significant re-establishment costs.

“When I knew the assistance was available, I got my accountant to do the application for me. My office at the time was the back seat of my car. 

"The grant went towards keeping a cook on and keeping cleaners on. It went to a lot of wages.”

Judith also accessed a Disaster Assistance Loan from QRIDA to help with her recovery. 

“Every ceiling in the back part of the building was gone, we had to redo all the ceilings in the pub. In the kitchen, everything had to go out, the fridge and coffee machine. 

“We were lent a portable bar, which allowed us to sell alcohol and soft drinks. We were very fortunate, a lot of people who were staying in town would pull in for a packet of chips and a drink, which helped us keep a bit of normality about the place,” Judith said.

After six months of cleaning up and restoring the pub, Judith was able to reopen the doors to the Lions Den Hotel in June 2024.

For more information about QRIDA’s disaster financial assistance, visit QRIDA's disaster web page or call 1800 623 946.

QRIDA administers financial assistance to disaster affected primary producers, businesses, and non-profit organisations under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).