Rockingham Hotel

In December 2024, Rockingham said goodbye to one of its most recognisable landmarks — the Rockingham Hotel. For decades, the hotel was a vibrant hub for locals and holidaymakers alike, its presence tied to the coastal character of Rockingham Beach but its history stretches far back beyond its more recent memories of pub lunches, live music and the bustling nightlife.

​

The origins of the hotel date back to 1886, during a time when Rockingham served as an important port for Western Australian timber. Back then it was known as the Port Hotel, built as a single-storey timber structure set on a slope, with steps leading down to the bar from the beachfront. In 1918 the Port Hotel was renamed the Peron Hotel, before changing hands in 1922 when Reginald Harrison, owner of Perth’s Criterion Hotel, transformed it into a fashionable seaside resort.

​

One of its more famous features was the Trocadero dance hall, built in 1933 by George Grigg after he acquired the hotel in 1925. The Trocadero stood where the car park was later located, entertaining generations until it was demolished in 2009.

Despite its cultural significance, the Rockingham Hotel faced an uphill battle for formal protection. It was temporarily added to the State Register of Heritage Places in 2008 but the listing lapsed in 2011 after then-Minister John Castrilli declined to grant it permanent heritage protection.

​

Rockingham City Council approved demolition plans in December 2023 for both the Rockingham Hotel and the neighbouring Liquid Nightclub. Asbestos removal commenced in February 2024, proceeding without a formal demolition permit, which had yet to be issued (according to one of the asbestos company's office employees).

​

Importantly, the demolition was set to include archaeological investigations in the site's basement, which was an absolutely treasure trove of historical finds dating back as early as 1918, as witnessed by myself. Experienced archaeologists and historians were to recover and preserve any artefacts, with the intention of passing these pieces of local history to the City of Rockingham. However to date, there is little information on whether this process went ahead as publicly promised by the City of Rockingham and local authorities.

​

The iconic building was completely demolished in December 2014, making way for future development. Yet for many, the Rockingham Hotel will always be remembered as a cornerstone of the community — a place of stories, social life and seaside memories, stretching back more than 130 years.