From a Townsville Pub to Sydney’s Wentworth Hotel

An exploration of the life and cookery books of Federation hotelier and cookery book author, Mrs Hannah Maclurcan
About this Event

As part of our contribution to Rare Books Melbourne 2026, we will be hosting an intimate conversation about one of the early and now somewhat forgotten voices in Australian cookery books. An influential Federation era cookbook writer and succesful hotelier, Hannah Maclurcan, went from working in the family owned hotels in Townsville, to owning and running Australia's first prestigious hotel, The Wentworth Hotel in Sydney. Along the way she self-published a cookery book that remained in print for three decades.

We will be exploring Hannah's personal history and her cookbook which over several editions charts the change in Australian society from colonial to federation tastes and sensibilities.

Tastes from her eponymous cookery book will be served, and various editions and versions of her books will be on display and for sale.

Please join us 6pm Sunday 26th July as we discuss an early contributor to Australia's culinary and hospitality development.

Tickets are free but limited.

FAQs

Can I buy books by Mrs Beeton?

We will have a range of editions, impressions and related books available for purchase on the night .

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

If you haven't visited the bookstore for a few years, please note we have moved to the northern side of the Queen Victoria Market. Our address is 115-121 Victoria Street (next to A Shed)

We recommend public transport.

The 19, 20, 57 (Elizabeth St)and 55 (William & Peel St) trams go past the Queen Victoria Market and run frequently. We are in the Free Tram Zone and are a short 50m walk from the Elizabeth St Queen Victoria Market stop and the Peel St Queen Victoria Market stop. Melbourne Central and Flagstaff railway stations are two blocks away.

If driving, there is plenty of metered parking on Queen St near the corner of Victoria St. There is also limited parking on Victoria Street outside the store.

Is my registration/ticket transferable?

Yes - to another person - just have them present your ticket on the evening.

Tickets to this event are free. Space and tickets are limited. We will have a waiting list. If you can't attend having booked, please either give your ticket to someone else or let us know so we can issue your ticket to the next person on the wait list.