The land on which the pub currently stands was part of a much larger  grant to colonial surgeon Dr William Balmain made in 1800 by Governor John Hunter. The hotel was established in 1878 as Hollis's Hotel under publican George Hollis. In 1884, J. W. Clifford became publican, renamed it to the Clifford Family Hotel and refitted the hotel in 1886.
The territory occupied by the present pub was part of a substantial  grant to colonial doctor Dr William Balmain made in 1800 by Governor John Hunter. The hotel was founded in 1878 as Hollis's Hotel under publican George Hollis. In 1884, J. W. Clifford took over as publican, renamed it the Clifford Family Hotel, and renovated the hotel in 1886.