MEET SARAH, GENERAL MANAGER OF TAHMOOR INN
Sarah’s career in hotels began at the Fairfield Hotel in 2011, sparking what has become a 15-year journey in hospitality. Since then, she has built a wealth of experience across the industry, with a strong focus on creating welcoming, community-driven venues.
Now at the helm of Tahmoor Inn, Sarah is leading the venue through an exciting period of growth and transformation. From major renovations to new spaces and experiences, she is helping shape a modern country pub that continues to reflect the heart of Wollondilly.
Discover what Sarah loves most about the local area, the vision behind the latest renovations at Tahmoor Inn, and what it means to her to be part of the Wollondilly community.
Let’s start off with a little bit about you
Like most, my first job was at McDonald's when I was 14. Hospitality wasn't actually my career plan, I was studying Children's Services with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher. While studying I was offered a casual bar and gaming position at the Fairfield Hotel in 2011, and that opportunity sparked a 15-year journey in hospitality.
Just over three years ago I made the move to the beautiful town of Tahmoor. The scenery, the pace, and most importantly the people were exactly what I needed. The Wollondilly community is incredibly passionate, supportive and fiercely proud of their region.
What I love most about hospitality is being part of people's stories. Whether it's a family celebration, a catch-up with friends, a wedding, or simply a Friday night dinner, creating spaces where memories are made is something really special and I never take for granted.
Tell us about Tahmoor Inn
The newly renovated Tahmoor Inn is a bright, modern and welcoming venue that still captures the classic country pub atmosphere locals know and love. Whether you're stopping in for a family meal, celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a drink with friends, or staying overnight, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Families especially love our newly built playground, which provides a great space for children to play while parents relax and enjoy the venue. For visitors looking to stay a little longer, we offer 14 comfortable motel rooms, each featuring a double bed, single bed and private ensuite. We're also excited to be adding a new Family Room soon, with two double beds and two single beds to accommodate larger groups.
Our seasonal menu is curated by Executive Chef Thuong Dang and features a range of crowd favourites. The standout dish is our Malaysian Stir-Fry Noodles, which has twice been nominated in the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Awards for Best Cheap Eats in NSW and was named a finalist. Better still, it's available as part of our lunch specials for just $17. Our pizzas are another popular choice, with all dough handmade in-house and prepared fresh to order.
We also host live music every Friday and Saturday night, screen major sporting events, run school holiday activities, and hold monthly Paint & Sip evenings. Each Paint & Sip event features a unique theme, offering a fun and creative experience for both locals and visitors. When the opportunity arose to bring these events to the venue, we knew they would be a great addition to our community events calendar, providing another way for people to connect, relax and enjoy themselves.
Tahmoor Inn caters for all types of functions, from baby showers and birthdays to weddings and corporate events. We're currently constructing a brand-new function room complete with its own bar, which will accommodate around 150 guests and is expected to open by the end of September. We can also host events in our beer garden adjoining the sports lounge, which caters for approximately 100 guests. Our new outdoor dining area seats around 250 people, and once renovations are complete, the venue will be able to accommodate more than 600 guests.
While the renovations and facilities are exciting, what truly makes Tahmoor Inn special is the people. You can build a beautiful venue, but it's the atmosphere, the team and the community that bring it to life.
What inspired the renovation of Tahmoor Inn, and what vision guided the transformation?
Tahmoor is growing rapidly, and we wanted the hotel to grow alongside the community. Our recent and upcoming renovations include a new outdoor dining area, a purpose-built function room scheduled to open in September 2026, a refreshed Sports Bar later this year, and plans for a double-lane drive-through bottle shop and upgraded car park next year.
Our vision has always been to create a venue that feels modern, vibrant and welcoming while staying true to its country pub heritage. We wanted to build a place that locals are proud to call their own and one that visitors will want to return to time and time again.
What do you believe sets Tahmoor Inn apart from others?
The sense of community. We know our regulars by name, we love meeting new faces, and we genuinely care about the people who walk through our doors. You don't just visit Tahmoor Inn, you become part of it!
Which local businesses, suppliers, or organisations do you enjoy supporting or collaborating with?
We're passionate about supporting local. From sporting clubs and schools to charities, community groups and local suppliers - we love working with people who share the same pride in Wollondilly that we do.
What has been one of your proudest moments throughout your time at Tahmoor Inn?
Seeing the community embrace the venue after the renovations. Watching families celebrate milestones, friends catch up, and locals make the hotel part of their weekly routine makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Do you have any exciting plans, events, or future stages of development for your hotel?
Always! Hospitality never stands still, and neither do we. We're constantly looking at new events, entertainment and ways to improve the guest experience. We like keeping things fresh and giving people a reason to come back.
Just for fun...what did you want to be when you were younger?
A primary school teacher. Although now that I think about it, managing a pub isn't that different, as you spend a lot of time problem-solving, multitasking and making sure everyone behaves themselves!
Where do you see your hotel in 10 years?
Still at the heart of the community, still growing, and still delivering great experiences. I'd love to see Tahmoor Inn continue to be the place where locals gather and visitors make a point of stopping when they're in the region.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your journey, your hotel, or being part of the Wollondilly community?
I never expected hospitality to become my career, but I'm incredibly grateful it did. Tahmoor has welcomed me with open arms, and being part of this community has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. At the end of the day, hospitality is all about people, and we've got some pretty amazing people here.
