Mud Hut Hotel Richmond: Reviews, Prices & What to Do

Travellers driving the Flinders Highway through Outback Queensland often look for more than just a bed—they want a proper pub meal and a place to stretch their legs after hours on the road. The Mud Hut Hotel Motel at 72 Goldring Street in Richmond serves exactly that: a bistro open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, a bar with pool tables, and motel rooms for overnight stays. This guide separates the Richmond venue’s verified amenities from third-party review signals and clears up the common name confusion with the similarly named Coober Pedy property.

Last checked: 2026-05-22

Property Name: Mud Hut Hotel Motel · Location: Richmond, Queensland · Rooms: 36 ensuited rooms · Dining: Bistro and bar serving daily meals

What Is a Mud Hut Motel?

The name “Mud Hut Motel” appears for two distinct Australian properties. The Mud Hut Hotel Motel in Richmond, Queensland is a traditional pub-hotel with attached motel rooms, not a literal mud-brick building. The Coober Pedy Mud Hut Motel in South Australia, by contrast, is built from rammed earth and offers 24 rooms (Mud Hut Motel Coober Pedy).

The Mud Hut Hotel Richmond: A Modern Motel

The Richmond venue operates as a hotel and motel at 72 Goldring Street. According to its official website, it provides “clean comfortable rooms to suit all travellers” along with a bar, pool tables, bottle shop, and a bistro open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. A swimming pool and a poker machine room are also on-site. The Localsearch listing describes it as “excellent budget accommodation” with 12 motel rooms.

Mud Hut Motel in Coober Pedy: A Different Property

The Coober Pedy Mud Hut Motel is a separate business. Its website states the property is constructed of rammed earth and features 24 rooms with queen-sized beds, as well as two-bedroom apartments sleeping up to six adults. A pet-friendly policy applies with a $50 surcharge per animal per stay (Mud Hut Motel Coober Pedy). Booking.com’s review score of 8.4 from 865 reviews refers to the Coober Pedy property, not the Richmond venue (Booking.com).

Location and Getting There

Mud Hut Hotel Motel sits on the Flinders Highway in central Richmond, making it a logical stop for travellers driving between Townsville and Mount Isa. Richmond Airport is about 5 km west of the property (Trip.com). The town’s main attractions, including Kronosaurus Korner, are a short drive or walk from the hotel.

Pros and Cons

Based on verified amenities and guest reviews from TripAdvisor and other platforms, here are the main advantages and considerations for staying at Mud Hut Hotel Richmond.

Pros

• Central location on the Flinders Highway, convenient for outback road trips
• On-site bistro open daily for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday breakfast
• Bar with pool tables and bottle shop – easy evening entertainment
• Swimming pool available (noted by Localsearch as a new pool area)
• Budget-friendly room rates (described as “budget accommodation” by Localsearch)

Cons

• Limited to 12 motel rooms, which may fill quickly during peak periods
• Remote location requires advance planning for supplies and fuel
• Some TripAdvisor reviewers mention dated furnishings, though comfortable beds and good showers are consistently noted (TripAdvisor)
• The 2025 cancellation issue with Powerlink contractor ATCO caused lost income, potentially affecting staffing or service (reported by North West Weekly)

Pricing Band

Exact room rates are not published on the official website. The Localsearch directory describes the property as “excellent budget accommodation,” and booking platforms list it in the economy range for regional Queensland. Travellers should check current prices directly on booking sites or contact the venue for the latest rates.

What Is Richmond, QLD Known For?

Richmond is a small outback town best known for its marine fossil discoveries. The town sits on the edge of the Great Artesian Basin and has yielded some of the most significant plesiosaur and ichthyosaur fossils in Australia.

Kronosaurus Korner and Fossil Discoveries

Kronosaurus Korner is the town’s premier attraction, displaying a world-class collection of Cretaceous marine fossils. The museum is a short distance from the Mud Hut Hotel (the official site notes proximity).

Outback Queensland Lifestyle

Richmond offers a genuine outback experience with wide streets, a historic pub, and a welcoming community. The people are known for their hospitality, which is reflected in venues like the Mud Hut Hotel.

What To Do In Richmond, Queensland?

Visit Kronosaurus Korner

The museum is the top attraction. Allow at least two hours to view the fossil specimens and interactive exhibits.

Explore the Richmond Historical Society

The historical society museum offers insights into early settler life and the town’s development.

Enjoy the Mud Hut Hotel’s Bistro

After a day of exploration, the bistro at Mud Hut Hotel serves home-cooked meals. The Australian Good Food Guide highlights honey chicken with steamed rice, broccoli, and prawn crackers as a signature dish, and notes nightly specials (AGFG).

Why Visit Richmond In Outback Queensland?

Unique Outback Hospitality

The Mud Hut Hotel exemplifies the friendly, no-fuss service you expect in remote Australia. The mix of a working pub, motel, and bistro makes it a social hub for locals and travellers alike.

Historical and Fossil Significance

Richmond’s fossil heritage is internationally recognised. Staying at the Mud Hut Hotel puts you in the heart of town, within easy reach of the fossil museum and other historical sites.

Alternatives to Mud Hut Hotel

If the Mud Hut Hotel is fully booked or doesn’t suit your needs, consider these other options in the region:

• Federal Palace Hotel – another historic pub in Richmond offering accommodation and meals.
• Mud Hut Motel Coober Pedy – the rammed-earth property with a completely different outback experience, though far south-west (avoid if you’re specifically visiting Richmond).
• Other motels along the Flinders Highway – towns like Hughenden and Julia Creek have budget motels.

These alternatives are based on general knowledge; verify current availability and prices independently.

Our Pick Recommendation

Tips for Outback Queensland Travelers

If you’re not from the region, keep these points in mind:

• Currency: Australian dollars (AUD). Credit cards are accepted at the pub (Visa, Mastercard, Eftpos), but carry some cash for smaller towns.
• Season: The peak travel season is the dry winter months (May–September). Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C.
• Supplies: Richmond has a supermarket and fuel station, but fill up on fuel before leaving larger towns.
• Connectivity: The hotel offers free Wi‑Fi in rooms, but mobile coverage can be patchy on the highway.
• Wildlife: Kangaroos are common on roads at dusk – drive cautiously.

“Mud Hut Hotel Motel has clean comfortable rooms to suit all travellers, a bar with pool tables, bottle shop and music.”

— Mud Hut Hotel Motel, official website

“And a Bistro for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.”

— Mud Hut Hotel Motel, official website

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources Cited

• Mud Hut Hotel Motel – Official Website
• Australian Good Food Guide – Mud Hut Hotel
• Lifestyle Parks – Mud Hut Motel Apartments
• Localsearch – Mud Hut Hotel Motel
• Trip.com – Mud Hut Hotel Richmond
• Wheree – Mud Hut Hotel
• TripAdvisor – Mud Hut Hotel Richmond
• Booking.com – Mud Hut Motel (Coober Pedy)
• Mud Hut Motel Coober Pedy – Official Website
• North West Weekly – Mud Hut Hotel cancellation report