Good news for truck drivers and other travellers is that the Mingela Hotel in North Queensland will reopen next month.
The popular watering hole is just off the Flinders Highway and 43km from Charters Towers and closed last year when long time publican Ivan Buisson passed away.
Spy hears that a family with road transport industry connections have bought the pub and are working on it to open again soon.
Mingela has a permanent population of about 10 and once used to have shops, a school, post office, a police station and other buildings.
The historical hotel had been visited by many travellers including truck drivers.
On weekends it usually was a busy hub of activity and was a genuine friendly place with a country atmosphere.
Publican Ivan had been there for 30 years and was a wealth of knowledge and a friendly fellow.
I can recall decades ago being in the wooden public bar when a jillaroo rode a horse into it.
Many truckies will remember a former publican there named Bill Archer who used to play a practical joke on patrons.
On the wall in the public bar was a wolf whistle which customers were invited to blow to hear the sound.
However when they did they were sprayed with talcum powder and victims included many truckies… and Spy.
Just on the western side of Mingela along the Flinders Highway is a rest area with toilets and shaded areas where many truckies stop.