Under the couple’s ownership, the Inn has earned legendary status for its community events and world-class country fare.
The pub is famous for its mouth-watering, 20-hour slow-cooked pies, including crowd favourites like the slow-cooked beef dark ale pie.
It has also become a vibrant hub for local culture, hosting massive annual events like the Australia Day yabby races, an October car and bike show, a massive themed New Year's Eve party, and a spectacular Easter weekend truck and machinery show which draws crowds of up to 5,000 people.
Mr Thomas said the Inn is even home to an annual giant pumpkin-growing competition, where locals use forklifts and bobcats to bring in massive produce, with the current standing record weighing in at a whopping 147.6 kilograms.
Beyond its commercial strength, the Bredbo Inn holds an iconic status in Australian folklore.
The historic venue is believed to be the final resting place of the inspiration behind AB 'Banjo' Paterson’s legendary poem, 'The Man from Snowy River'.
According to locals, Paterson was a regular at the Inn and once revealed to the publican that local horseman Charlie McKeahnie was the true identity of the mythical rider.
Legend states that McKeahnie tragically passed away on the premises after falling from his horse while crossing the local bridge on a frosty morning.
While identity claims vary, well-regarded regional historian Tim the Yowie Man has extensively researched the topic and supports the Bredbo Inn as the true site of the legend's passing.
The Bredbo Inn also holds a deeply sacred place in modern Australian and aviation history.
The beer garden features a beautifully maintained memorial dedicated to the tragic January 2020 C130 Coulson Aviation water bomber crash which occurred 20km away during the Black Summer bushfires.
Featuring an authentic aircraft propeller gifted directly by the United States Embassy, the memorial sits in a dedicated space that honors the fallen American crew, complete with portraits and a tribute to the local koala habitat that was impacted by the fires.
Ms Thomas said representatives from the embassy and Coulson Aviation regularly journey down to the Inn to pay their respects, where the bar proudly stocks a premier selection of American whiskeys in their honour.
“We have made so many unforgettable memories here,” Ms Thomas said.
“Mathew and I were actually the local wife-carrying champions for the first four years we were here, until he got a bit older and couldn't move quite as fast!
“It’s that kind of fun, tight-knit community energy that makes this place so special.
“We also take immense pride in the bushfire memorial we created. The families of the American victims want to come out, see the area, and witness what the community has done to honour them. It's deeply meaningful to everyone who steps foot here.”
