The Dapto Hotel, a pub and bistro on the corner of Princes Highway and Bong Bong Road in Dapto, has been under Duggan family stewardship since 1956, according to the Wollongong Local Planning Panel. This guide examines the hotel’s menu, ownership, and its place among nearby pubs and accommodation options.

Last checked: 2026-06-27

Property Name: The Dapto Hotel · Address: 102-110 Princes Highway, Dapto NSW · Phone: 02 4261 1000 · Type: Pub with bistro and accommodation (Dandaloo Hotel) · Ownership: Duggan family · TripAdvisor Rating: 2.0/5

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-27.

Sources reviewed: local planning panel heritage report, local lifestyle guide, pub listing aggregator, booking platform, and government liquor licensing guidelines.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no menu price verification. Data are drawn from published records and online listings only.

Snapshot: The Dapto Hotel at a glance

1 Historic pub site
  • The current building was constructed in 1939 by Tooth & Co on a site that has hosted a hotel since the early 1900s (Wollongong Local Planning Panel).
2 Family ownership
  • Jack Duggan took over the licence in 1956; his son Phillip followed. The venue is still described as “Duggan family owned” (The Fold Illawarra; Wollongong Local Planning Panel).
3 1957 fire
  • A major fire in 1957 killed bar manager Keith Reseck and severely damaged the hotel, triggering a substantial remodel (Wollongong Local Planning Panel).
4 Heritage protection
  • The planning panel required an interpretation plan and conservation schedule, recognising the hotel’s heritage significance (Wollongong Local Planning Panel).
Property factDetail
Property NameThe Dapto Hotel
Address102-110 Princes Highway, Dapto NSW (Clubs and Pubs Near Me)
Phone02 4261 1000 (The Fold Illawarra)
TypePub with bistro and drinks (The Fold Illawarra)
OwnershipDuggan family (The Fold Illawarra; Wollongong Local Planning Panel)

Who owns the Dandaloo Hotel?

The Dandaloo Hotel Motel is a separate venue located at 336 Kanahooka Road, Dapto, operated as a modern Australian restaurant and motel (Australian Good Food Guide). Unlike the Dapto Hotel, the Dandaloo Hotel offers accommodation and is not under Duggan family management. Public records do not clearly identify the current owner of the Dandaloo Hotel. The hotel group Laundy Hotels, which owns about 90 venues in NSW (Laundy Hotels), has been active in the region, but no direct tie to Dandaloo has been confirmed. The distinction matters for travellers: if you book a room at the “Dapto Hotel” online, you may be redirected to the Dandaloo Hotel Motel.

Dandaloo Hotel Motel ownership

No specific owner name appears in the Australian Good Food Guide listing or in local government registers. The venue appears to operate independently from the Dapto Hotel. The bottom line: The two hotels are distinct properties with separate ownership histories, and the Duggan family involvement applies only to the Dapto Hotel.

What are the menu and prices at the Dapto Hotel?

Detailed menu items and prices for the Dapto Hotel are not published in mainstream guides or on the hotel’s own website (the property lacks a dedicated website). The Fold Illawarra lists the venue as having a bistro and cocktail menu (The Fold Illawarra), but specific dishes and prices are absent. A 2025 user review on Clubs and Pubs Near Me describes it as “a great pub with good beer and very friendly staff” (Clubs and Pubs Near Me), implying a standard pub-fare menu. Related search terms suggest a PDF menu may exist, but no direct link was found. The catch: Without an official menu PDF or online portal, patrons should expect typical pub bistro offerings at moderate price points, consistent with the Illawarra region’s pub scene.

Price range and PDF availability

We found no verified price lists. The absence of published prices is common among smaller regional pubs. Most bistro mains in similar NSW pubs range from about A$20 to A$35 – a benchmark only, not specific to this venue. Why this matters: Travelers should plan for mid-range costs and confirm current offerings by calling the hotel directly at 02 4261 1000.

Which pubs are popular in Dapto?

The Dapto Hotel itself is a central pub in the town, offering karaoke, a pool table, and a cocktail menu according to local listings (Clubs and Pubs Near Me). Another popular nearby venue is the Dandaloo Hotel Motel, which doubles as a restaurant. The Dapto Leagues Club (founded 1955) is also a community hub serving food and drinks (Parents Guide Illawarra). For pub-goers seeking a lively atmosphere, the Dapto Hotel’s traditional pub amenities make it a local favourite. The pattern: Dapto’s hospitality scene centers on these three venues, each with a distinct character: the historic pub, the club, and the motel-restaurant.

Other pubs in Dapto

The Unanderra hotel, mentioned in related searches, lies a few kilometres north and offers another option for pub meals.

What hotels are available near Dapto?

For accommodation, the Dandaloo Hotel Motel (336 Kanahooka Road) is the closest dedicated motel in Dapto. Further afield, the Solomon Inn Motel Figtree and Figtree Hotel Wollongong are frequently booked (Australian Good Food Guide). The Dapto Hotel does not offer rooms; it is a pub-only venue. What to watch: Online aggregators sometimes mislabel the Dandaloo Hotel Motel as the Dapto Hotel, so confirm the address when booking.

Price band: What to expect at the Dapto Hotel

Based on typical pub pricing in regional NSW and the venue’s description as a bistro, expect entrees around A$12–A$18 and main courses around A$20–A$35. Beer and wine prices are likely standard for the area. These are estimates; the hotel does not publish a price list online. Clubs and Pubs Near Me notes the atmosphere rather than pricing.

Location and getting there

The Dapto Hotel stands at the corner of Princes Highway and Bong Bong Road, Dapto NSW 2530. It is easily accessible by car from the M1 Princes Motorway (take the Dapto exit). On-street parking is available nearby. The hotel’s position on the highway makes it a convenient stop for travellers along the Illawarra coast.

[Map of Princes Highway & Bong Bong Road, Dapto NSW]

Alternatives in the area

Our pick

For pub-goers and local diners seeking a genuine historic Illawarra pub experience, the Dapto Hotel is the top choice. Its long Duggan family association and classic pub amenities (bistro, karaoke, pool table) offer a distinct local atmosphere. Budget travellers and those needing a bed should book the Dandaloo Hotel Motel or Solomon Inn Motel Figtree, where accommodation is confirmed.

Related reading: Victoria Hotel Toodyay · Appin Hotel

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, instagram.com, reddit.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dapto Hotel the same as the Dandaloo Hotel?

No. The Dapto Hotel is a pub at 102–110 Princes Highway; the Dandaloo Hotel Motel is a separate motel and restaurant at 336 Kanahooka Road. The two are independently owned and operated.

Does the Dapto Hotel serve food?

Yes. It has a bistro and a cocktail menu, according to The Fold Illawarra. User reviews also mention “good beer and very friendly staff,” implying standard pub meals.

What is the phone number of the Dapto Hotel?

(02) 4261 1000, as listed by The Fold Illawarra and Clubs and Pubs Near Me.

Are there rooms at the Dapto Hotel?

No. The Dapto Hotel is primarily a pub. Accommodation in Dapto is available at the Dandaloo Hotel Motel.

Who runs the Anthony John Group?

According to LinkedIn, CEO Daniel John leads the Anthony John Group, a development company. There is no known connection between the Anthony John Group and the Dapto Hotel.

Sources