BACK in 1863 when the Royal Hotel in Leyburn first opened the town boasted six pubs and was in the grip of a gold mining rush.

Today the iconic brick building is the last hotel standing and the miners have long since disappeared.

But this weekend the popular pub, which is Queensland's oldest continually licensed hotel, will celebrate a major milestone: 150 years in business.

The celebrations are expected to swell the tiny township's population by hundreds tomorrow as regional dignitaries join visitors and locals for the party.

For pub owner and former rugby league footballer Shane Webcke the birthday celebrations are a way to thank the township and the wider community for their ongoing support.

He also expects the event will result in the sharing of countless colourful stories from the hotel's past.

"The land where the pub stands was bought by James Murray in 1858 and then he built the pub in 1863," Mr Webcke said.

"Ironically Murray, who was also the hotel's first licensee, developed 'intemperance' caused by the excessive drinking and died six months after opening the Royal."

Despite the untimely demise of the first owner, the pub continued outlasting the five other hotels, which lined the main street during the gold rush years of the 1860s and 70s.

"It was always a working man's pub: they might have spent what they earnt, but then they went back to work," Mr Webcke said.

"So as far as I know there weren't riots or too many bar fights."

Fittingly the 150th celebrations will feature locals shearing sheep, wood chop and heavy horse displays harking back to the hotel's early history.

For more on the birthday party check out http://www.royalhotelleyburn.com.au.

Royal party

Leyburn's Royal Hotel has been serving patrons since 1863.

Tomorrow the pub will celebrate 150 years.

The party starts at 11am and runs through out the day featuring sheep shearing, heavy horse and wood chop displays.

Entry is a gold coin donation going to Rural Fire Services.