The Peel Inn Hotel has stood tall on Nundle’s soil for the past 160 years and was recently awarded Best Bush Pub by the Australian Hotels Association. A gold rush pub, it was built by William McIlveen in 1860 after the discovery of gold at Hanging Rock. But as the story goes, McIlveen lost the hotel in a game of cards against John Schofield in the late 1860s. Today, fourth generation publican Robert Schofield has run the hotel for the past 54 years with his wife Margaret. The couple’s two sons, Nathan and Drew, have also played their part in the pub’s evolution, ensuring it remains the hub of the community and attracts visitors from far and wide. Here, FOUND Regional talks to Robert and his son Drew on life as a landlord at Nundle’s oldest (and best) pub.