Emeu Inn Restaurant Bed & Breakfast & Wine Centre Telephone: +61 3 5433 2668 | 187 High Street, Heathcote Victoria 3523 Australia
Welcome to Emeu Inn
 

Your Hosts

Fred & Leslye ThiesPlace yourself in the hands of warm, welcoming and experienced hosts - Fred and Leslye Thies. It is Fred and Leslye’s passion for fine food, affordable yet elegant accommodation and creating memorable experiences that truly ‘make’ your time at Emeu Inn. Plus they know the Heathcote region like the backs of their hands and are only too willing to help you squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of your stay.

At the back of house is where you find Fred. The kitchen and garden are his domain. Not surprisingly as Fred trained as a chef in the Black Forest of Germany! He loves using the seasonal produce, wild game and native products available in Australia. His menu reflects this passion. In his 49th year cooking, he’s an “old stick” with a bit of a spark! One taste of Fred’s fare and you’ll be craving for more.

Leslye manages the front of house with a cheerful, welcoming and intuitive understanding of your needs. Opening the Emeu Inn Bed & Breakfast and restaurant signified a change in career for Leslye – but not necessarily a change in focus.

Formerly a teacher and administrator of programs serving people who are blind and vision impaired, Leslye loves people and making them feel at home. Now at Emeu Inn, she will do everything she can to ensure your visit is complete and enjoyable.

Together, Fred and Leslye with their capable staff, have set the standard high. Service attentiveness and performance are the cornerstones of Emeu Inn while immaculate gourmet food and brilliant facilities complement the overall B&B experience.

Fred and Leslye pride themselves in providing a quality product that gives value for money. Their philosophy is simple.

“By using the best local and organic produce, we can create beautiful seasonal food.”

Chefs Cat Fred Thies Dog

History

Today Emeu Inn dishes up gourmet and tourism gold. But before becoming the enchanting bed & breakfast that placed a jewel in the crown of Heathcote accommodation, the Inn had links to gold of a different kinds.

In 1857, the Emeu Hotel was built as a gold miner’s pub and was one of nearly 30 pubs in Heathcote. The pub operated for just twelve years, then was purchased as a private residence.

After providing comfortable character-filled shelter for several generations of families, the Emeu Inn story once again diversified.

Fred and Leslye Thies purchased the residence with a vibrant vision, that of opening a B&B and Restaurant. They spent three months renovating the old building. Renovations included rewiring, adding plumbing and sand blasting the mission brown paint off the beautiful old brick façade. With 100 guests present, Emeu Inn was proudly opened on 28 October 1998 by Mayor Sharkey.

Since this newest chapter of its life, Emeu Inn has continued to grow from strength to strength. More B&B suites and a cottage were added. Leveraging its exquisite wine valley surrounds, Emeu Inn opened a Wine Centre and offered operating tours of regional vineyards. Before too long, a now landmark wine & food festival was launched while special events and wine dinners are now mainstays throughout the year.

Emeu Inn has built a reputation of quality and meeting guests’ needs. Each and every day, we continue to earn and deserve this reputation. We would love you to experience the Emeu Inn for yourself.

Emeu Inn Vegetable Garden

Awards

As a testament to Emeu Inn’s ongoing commitment to excellence, we have been recognised by several awards.

Heathcote’s Emeu Inn has won many awards.

WINNER Goldfields Tourism AwardsWINNER: Hosted Accommodation
2004 & 2000 Goldfields Tourism Awards

WINNER: Tourism Restaurant
2002 Goldfields Tourism Awards

  • Two Glasses - Wine List of the Year Awards 2009
    One Glass - Wine List of the Year Awards 2008, 2004, 2003, 2002 & 2001
  • International / Bush Food
    The AGE Good Food Guide
  • FINALIST: Tourism Restaurant
    2006, 2004 & 2003 Restaurant & Catering Victoria Industry Awards
  • FINALIST: Bendigo Business Excellence Awards
    2008, 2004 & 1999
  • FINALIST: Tourism Restaurant
    2004 Goldfields Tourism Awards
  • CERTIFICATE OF MERIT - Best New Business
    1999 Goldfields Tourism Awards

Awards received by Apprentice Chef Robert Tucker

  • WINNER: 2009 Victorian TAFE Hospitality Team Challenge
  • WINNER: 2008 Apprentice of the Year
    Bendigo Business Excellence Awards
  • Finalist: 2007 Apprentice of the Year
    Bendigo Business Excellence Awards
  • Finalist: Thierry Marx Career Development Award 2009 & 2008
    Restaurant & Catering Association
  • Bronze Medal: Les Toques Blanches
    Award for Excellence 2009
  • Second Place: VIC TAFE 2009
    Culinary Challenge

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