Passing by the Royal Hotel

Built in 1855, the Royal Hotel opened in 1857 as 'The Schnapper Point Hotel'. The name reflected the township, then known as Schnapper Point, but renamed 'Mornington' in 1861 after British Foreign Secretary, 2nd Earl of Mornington. In 1876, the hotel received its current name after a visit from Prince Alfred, The Duke of Edinburgh. Until 1889 a Cobb & Co coach service ran from the Albion Hotel on Bourke Street, Melbourne, to The Royal. Pub patrons would travel for 5 hours in a six-horse coach driven by 'Dick the Coachman' or 'Hellfire Jack'. Today it's much easier for visitors to travel to The Royal to enjoy a drink and a meal while watching the sun set over the bay.