Welcome to
The Great Northern Hotel
The Great Northern Hotel is West Kempsey's go-to pub for great meals, cold drinks, live sport and genuine country hospitality. Whether you're a local stopping in after work or a traveller passing through the Mid North Coast, you'll find a warm welcome, a cold schooner and a feed worth sticking around for.
Staying a night or two? We've got comfortable accommodation right on site - making the Northern the perfect base for exploring the Macleay Valley.
Happenings in the PUB
Latest News
Mardi Gras DJ Party at Great Northern Hotel
Join the 2026 NRL Tipping Comp at Great Northern Hotel
Adults Only Trivia at Great Northern Hotel
What's On
Upcoming Events
Food, Drinks & More
Your Local
Bistro Favourites
Hearty pub meals and daily specials, open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinnerLive Sports Bar
Live sport on the big screens with ice-cold drinks and a great atmosphereComfy Accommodation
Comfortable rooms right in the heart of West Kempsey, ideal for travellersFunction Spaces
Free room hire for birthdays, celebrations and corporate events. A modern, relaxed setting for any occasion.Little Legends
Fun kids' activities so the whole family can enjoy a day out at the Northern.Classic Pub Meals
The Northern Bistro
The Northern bistro is where good pub food meets great local ingredients. Our chefs keep the menu fresh with classic pub meals, shareables and weekly specials - all at prices that won't break the bank.
Dine in with the family, catch up with mates over a lazy lunch, or sit back with a cold drink and let us take care of dinner.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 2:00pm and 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Kempsey's Best Seat For
Live Sport
The Northern Sports Bar is Kempsey's top spot to catch all the live action. We've got big screens throughout the bar showing all the codes - NRL, AFL, State of Origin, cricket and more. Pull up a stool, order a cold schooner and enjoy the game the way it's meant to be watched.
Our Sunday Sessions are always a good time, with great food from the bistro and an atmosphere that brings the whole community together.
Heading home after the game? Swing by the Bottle Shop and grab something cold for the road.
Celebrate at the Northern
Functions & Private Events
Planning a birthday, work celebration, engagement or special event? The Great Northern Hotel is Kempsey's go-to functions venue, offering a modern, relaxed setting with free room hire for your event.
Our team will work with you to make sure everything runs smoothly, from catering to setup. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements or download our Functions Package to get started.
Eat. Play. Stay.
Accommodation in Kempsey
Looking for a comfortable, affordable place to stay in Kempsey? The Great Northern Hotel offers recently refurbished pub-style accommodation right in the heart of West Kempsey's CBD.
With 7 rooms to choose from - Twin, Queen, King and Family - there's a option to suit every traveller. Free parking is available at the rear of the venue, and the train station and bus stop are just a short walk away. All rooms include flat screen TVs, free WiFi, and fresh linen, towels and toiletries. A communal kitchenette with tea and coffee facilities is also available for guests.
Straight From the Source
What Our Guests Are Saying
From travellers stopping in for the night to locals celebrating milestones, the Northern has been welcoming the Kempsey community for years.
A hearty bistro meal, a comfortable room, or a function worth remembering - our guests keep coming back.
Here's what some of them have to say about their experience at the Great Northern Hotel.
Loved staying here on our trip to Melbourne! Lovely staff and a clean, spacious and comfy room with excellent shared amenities. We enjoyed our meals and the pub vibe with a free jukebox I joyously took advantage of AND a magic pool table that let me win 4 out of 5 times. Handy parking out the back and a short walk to the wilds of the river. Thank you!Molly M.
Best Fillet Mignon ever. Cooked to perfection. Travelled a lot and will honestly say, it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. The venue was clean and didn’t have that old smoke smell. Staff were pleasant and prices reasonable. Thank you Great Northern. I will be back.Raven
We had a fortieth birthday in the Bistro for ten people booked. The staff were very friendly and helpful even when half of our guests were an hour late. The Chef Jake and his crew did an outstanding job of preparing us ten different meals all at the same time. The food looked and tasted great and we would certainly eat there again. The Bistro is very comfortable and well appointed. Jake and his staff went over and above what we expected and we were very impressed with all that they did - even down to preparing the birthday cakes we had brought with us. Thoroughly recommend them. Just fantastic and great value.Rob S.
HK PatrickFriendly atmosphere, great service, location.
Our regular weekend dining.
Become a
Member
Membership at the Northern is free and takes just a minute to set up. Simply ask one of our friendly staff and you'll have a card in hand, ready to start earning points straight away.
Every purchase earns you points you can redeem at the bar or bistro. Members also get access to happy hour pricing, exclusive bistro specials, Bottle Shop discounts and updates on upcoming events and promotions.