Stu Laundy insists there is no rivalry between him and fellow pub baron Justin Hemmes

‘Business is business’: Stu Laundy insists there is no rivalry between him and fellow pub baron Justin Hemmes who he calls a ‘friend’ – despite their $90million property war


Stu Laundy and Justin Hemmes are two of Australia’s biggest names in the pub game. 

But despite their fierce rivalry when it comes to securing sales, Stu, 47, says he and Justin, 48, are pals.   

‘There’s a bit of a beat-up around a rivalry around Justin and I but when we see each other we’re friends and business is business,’ Stu told The Daily Telegraph.

Friends: But despite their fierce rivalry when it comes to securing sales, Stu, 47, says he and Justin, 48, are pals. Justin Hemmes is pictured

Friends: Stu Laundy and Justin Hemmes are two of Australia’s biggest names in the pub game. But despite their fierce rivalry when it comes to securing sales, Stu, 47, says he and Justin, 48, are pals 

‘I have said this quite often but if I manage to isolate a hotel that (Hemmes) hasn’t gotten involved in yet I question the seller. 

‘I think, “Why don’t you have two horses in this race?” I mean, we both have hefty cheque books,’ he added.     

In March, neither Justin nor his pub baron rival Stu Laundy could offer enough money to secure the Bangalow Hotel, which is 14km inland from Byron Bay.

Rivals? 'There's a bit of a beat-up around a rivalry around Justin and I but when we see each other we're friends and business is business,' Stu told The Daily Telegraph

Rivals? ‘There’s a bit of a beat-up around a rivalry around Justin and I but when we see each other we’re friends and business is business,’ Stu told The Daily Telegraph

The rivals became locked in a bidding war for the 60-year-old pub, which is owned by NRL star Tom Mooney and wife Cathryn. 

The top bid reached a staggering $50million.   

Laundy and Hemmes were also reportedly also eyeing off The Pacific Hotel in March. according to The Herald Sun.

At war: The pub barons were reportedly locked in a bidding war for the 60-year-old Bangalow Hotel (pictured) which is currently owned by NRL star Tom Mooney and wife Cathryn, with bids reaching up to $50 million

At war: The pub barons were reportedly locked in a bidding war for the 60-year-old Bangalow Hotel (pictured) which is currently owned by NRL star Tom Mooney and wife Cathryn, with bids reaching up to $50 million 

Still up for grabs? Laundy and Hemmes were also reportedly also eyeing off The Pacific Hotel, according to The Herald Sun last month

Still up for grabs? Laundy and Hemmes were also reportedly also eyeing off The Pacific Hotel, according to The Herald Sun last month 

However, it’s unclear whether that property was part of the Bangalow Hotel negotiations or whether the Pacific Hotel is still on the table.

It was not the first time Laundy and Hemmes have been locked in a bidding war, as it’s understood the pair recently battled over Chris Hemsworth’s local watering hole The Lennox Hotel in nearby Lennox Head.

Bachelorette star Stu, in partnership with hotelier Fraser Short, purchased The Lennox Hotel with an offer of close to $40million.

Snapped up: It was not the first time Laundy and Hemmes have been locked in a bidding war, as it's understood the pair recently battled over Chris Hemsworth's local watering hole The Lennox Hotel in nearby Lennox Head

Snapped up: It was not the first time Laundy and Hemmes have been locked in a bidding war, as it’s understood the pair recently battled over Chris Hemsworth’s local watering hole The Lennox Hotel in nearby Lennox Head 

Celebrity hot spot: The venue is often frequented by A-list visitors and locals, inducing actors and Byron Bay locals Liam (left) and Chris Hemsworth (right). Pictured with brother Luke

Celebrity hot spot: The venue is often frequented by A-list visitors and locals, inducing actors and Byron Bay locals Liam (left) and Chris Hemsworth (right). Pictured with brother Luke

In August last year, Laundy and Fraser confirmed they had also bought Byron Bay’s trendy venue The Farm for $16 million.

Laundy, who appeared on Channel 10’s The Bachelorette in 2017, has a share of his family’s $500 million fortune. 

Meanwhile, Hemmes and his family’s empire is believed to be worth around $1.06 billion.  

His property portfolio includes the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills which he bought in 2010, the Queen Victoria Hotel in Enmore in 2015 and Bondi’s Royal Hotel in 2017.  

Loaded: Laundy, who appeared on Channel 10's The Bachelorette in 2017 (pictured) has a share of his family's $500 million fortune

Loaded: Laundy, who appeared on Channel 10’s The Bachelorette in 2017 (pictured) has a share of his family’s $500 million fortune