The Lufra Hotel is one of Tasmania’s most historic coastal hotels, overlooking Pirates Bay at Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula.

It began life as a small wooden guest house following the closure of the Port Arthur penal settlement in 1877, accommodating visitors who were eager to explore the peninsula’s former convict sites and geological attractions, including the Tessellated Pavement.

As tourism grew, the Lufra expanded.

In the early 20th century, it was briefly used as a sanatorium for British servicemen who had fallen ill while serving in India. Around this time, Indian-born businessman Chokria (‘Chokey’) Nuroo purchased the hotel. He operated it for approximately 30 years with the help of his wife and seven children, and became a well-known and much-loved figure in the Eaglehawk Neck community. He was held in such esteem that when he died in February 1941 at the age of 66, a large crowd attended his funeral at Cornelian Bay.

The next chapter in the life of the Lufra Hotel began in 1948, when aviation entrepreneur Reginald (‘Reg’) Ansett, the founder of Ansett Airways, purchased the property. He demolished the original hotel and built a brand new one beside it, which officially opened in December 1948. The opening was attended by Premier Robert Cosgrove and other dignitaries.

Under Ansett’s ownership, the Lufra developed a reputation as one of Tasmania’s most luxurious hotels. It offered silver-service dining, employed two concierges, and featured what were reportedly the state’s first hotel bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Ansett also integrated the hotel into his airline business, flying visitors into Hobart before transporting them to Eaglehawk Neck by coach.

Following Ansett’s death in 1981, the Lufra continued operating under a succession of owners. In 2007, the hotel underwent a major refurbishment that modernised its facilities and rooms while preserving its historic character.

In 2024, entrepreneur and CameraPro founder Jesse Hunter bought the Lufra Hotel and announced plans for a series of staged upgrades, including additional accommodation and enlarged dining areas.

The Lufra remains a prominent landmark at Eaglehawk Neck today.

References & bibliography

Tas That Was is a column that includes:

  • anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
  • historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
  • documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].

Callum J. Jones is passionate about telling stories. He studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in Western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. Callum has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.

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