Twelve years ago, Shaynee Scott received shocking news from her parents: they had purchased a pub. But this wasn't just any pub—they had bought Australia's most remote pub, located in the isolated outback of Mt Dare, South Australia.
From Broken Neck to Remote Pub Manager
Originally, Scott's parents planned to run the pub themselves after retiring from cattle farming. However, when Scott broke her neck and couldn't continue working with horses, she decided to join them in their new venture. Together, they moved to Mt Dare—a town located just 10km south of the Northern Territory border on the western side of the Simpson Desert.
Today, Scott runs the Mt Dare Hotel with a permanent population of "one person and one Kelpie"—herself and her dog Ruby.
The Reality of Remote Hospitality
During slow seasons, Scott might go a week without seeing another person, but she insists it's not as lonely as it sounds. The pub employs between 10 and 16 staff who live and work on-site, and during peak season (June to August), they serve 50-150 people daily.
Logistics in Isolation
No delivery services reach Mt Dare except for fuel, so Scott and her team must travel 100km every fortnight to collect supplies. While they occasionally run out of certain items, she proudly declares they never run out of beer—an essential commodity in any outback pub.
"If you can't have a beer in an outback pub, you're in trouble," she laughs.
More Than Just a Pub
The Mt Dare Hotel serves multiple critical functions beyond food and drinks:
- Petrol station for travelers
- Accommodation with showers and beds
- Information center for desert travelers
- Mechanic workshop for vehicle repairs
- Makeshift hospital with emergency medical capabilities
Emergency Response in the Outback
One of the pub's most vital roles is serving as first responders for the region. Scott receives emergency calls from Canberra when distress beacons activate, and she must immediately travel to coordinates with no prior information about the situation.
The pub maintains a "huge" emergency medical kit supplied by the Royal Flying Doctors Service, allowing Scott to provide emergency care during phone consultations with medical professionals.
Preventing Desert Disasters
Scott and her team actively work to prevent emergencies by assessing travelers' preparedness for crossing the Simpson Desert. They provide guidance, connect inexperienced travelers with more experienced groups, and rent out satellite phones for emergency communication.
"The Simpson Desert is a real hot tourist hotspot, and if Mt Dare wasn't there, they'd have real trouble," she explains.
Wildlife and Community
Despite the challenges, Scott finds joy in caring for the local wildlife. The pub's green grass and dam attract various animals, including kangaroos, budgies, finches, and orphaned joeys that Scott nurtures until they can survive independently.
The Challenges of Off-Grid Living
Mt Dare operates completely off-grid, relying on generators that frequently break down due to extreme heat and sand. Scott describes the pub as "a ship in the ocean"—isolated and self-reliant.
Despite turning 60 and acknowledging the physical demands, Scott says she "absolutely loves" her life in the outback and plans to maintain some connection to remote living even after she eventually steps back from daily operations.
"I've got red sand fever," she declares, embracing the unique challenges and rewards of running Australia's most remote pub.
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