"I had a drink at Kooroora

I had a kiss at Kooroora

I got kicked out at Kooroora

I saw my parents in Kooroora after midnight

I met my husband/wife at Kooroora

I got naked at Kooroora

I fell asleep at Kooroora

I fell in love at Kooroora

I heard 'That's Amore' at Kooroora... more than once."

The wording printed on T-shirts for the final night party at the old Kooroora Hotel says it all — a fitting tribute to the memories and mischief tied to this iconic alpine venue before its demolition.

FIFTY-plus years of hospitality and entertainment history on Mt Buller – at the iconic Kooroora Hotel is up for sale with a result expected soon.

In a significant move signalling a strategic pivot, the Grollo family—longstanding developers and owners of Buller Ski Lifts at Mount Buller, Australia—are preparing to sell the Kooroora Hotel, a cornerstone hospitality asset in the alpine village.

This sale marks the family’s first divestment to an investor rather than an owner-occupier, as the family advances plans to establish a $1 billion institutional-grade fund dedicated to alpine and regional key worker housing. (See breakout story)

The Kooroora history has covered mountain hospitality for more than 50 years and currently holds the only 3am Alpine Liquor Licence in Australia.

Following the closure of 'Expressions of Interest' on May 22 for the purchase of the iconic hotel, two dedicated investors will vie for the purchase of this historic alpine hotel.

"Both parties are die-hard investors on the mountain—individuals from Melbourne, but both love the Kooroora," according to agent for the sale, John Castran of Castran Real Estate.

"Both bids have been accepted and I am quite confident that a decision to transact will be made shortly," Mr Castran said.

"The Grollo family re-built the hotel some five years ago after much discussion and deeming the old hotel "past its use and unfit for further use.

"The Grollos thought it was important to rebuild the hotel including the sub-floor nightclub with its full acoustic chamber, all designed for nightlife entertainment but also constructed so the sound of disco music did not penetrate the village night serenity," Mr Castran said.

"And the uniqueness of this hotel is the late night licence—the only one in Australia's Alpine regions—you cannot obtain one anymore."

Aftr the rebuild Mt Buller’s Kooroora Hotel, is a modern two-level venue encompassing 811 square meters, standing prominently at the foot of the Bourke Street ski run, overlooking Mount Buller’s Village Square.

It features a rare 3 a.m. license, alfresco dining, a state-of-the-art soundproofed basement nightclub, and secure car parking.

The property is currently under an eight-year lease with the Maisano Group, experienced hospitality operators in the Victorian Alps.

The long-term lease is held by Joe and Jane Maisano, who also operate the Black Cockatoo and Birdcage venues at the Chalet.

They have a long history—some 28 years—in alpine hospitality, having operated venues across the Australian Alpine regions, including the Swindlers Restaurant in Mt Hotham.

"The Maisanos will continue to operate this venue—they are considered to be among the best alpine hoteliers in the country," Mr Castran said.

Initially slated for auction through Burgess Rawson, the sale was postponed due to incomplete documentation.

However, marketing efforts through Castrans have attracted interest from buyers looking to acquire the property through self-managed super funds (SMSFs), with a transaction anticipated in the near future.