The Bush Inn was built in 1815 and in 1825 Mrs Ann Bridger became the Hotel's first licensee. Mrs Bridger was the first of an unbroken line of licensees lasting until today, making the Bush Inn Australia's oldest continuously licensed hotel. Furniture that Mrs Bridger brought to the Hotel is still in place.
Along with Mrs Bridges furniture there are many other aspects of this historic building that still remain in place today. All the original buildings have been preserved, with some of the walls supported on 'roughly square logs'. The floor is of solid Blackwood, some of which was uncovered and re-polished in 1991. The cellar remains mostly untouched with sandstone floors and the Hotel's original skittle alley. The wine racks are still intact, as are the original back door steps. There were samples of liquor nearly one hundred years old in stock until the 1950's.
In 1835, Methodist preachers who were visiting from Hobart Town, preached in the tap room. One preacher, Abraham Brigs, stated that he had a most respectable congregation. The christening font still remains in the Hotel today.
The first telephone trunk call in the Commonwealth was made from the Bush Inn by the then licensee, Captain Blockley, in 1888. The telephone used is still in the Hotel. The first call to London was also made from the Hotel on February 1st, 1939. The Hotel telephone number was New Norfolk 1 until the 1970's, when it was changed due to automation of the exchange.
Inspired by the beautiful rural scene, as viewed from the Hotel veranda, William Vincent Wallace wrote "Scenes That Are Brightest" and the opera "Maritana" in 1838. Broadcasting history was made at the Hotel on June 29th, 1932, when for the first time, the opera "Maritana" was produced and broadcast over the National network through Station 7ZL Hobart. The records still remain in the lounge bar today. Dame Nellie Melba sang several lyrics from "Maritana" when she stayed at the Hotel on her last Tasmanian visit in 1924.
