Country Victoria’s best hotels and pubs revealed
From regulars like Routy and Skiddy, and the family pub with ‘adult’ games, here is the best of country Victoria’s hotels. Warning cheeky videos.
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In a country town, a pub is more than just a watering hole — it’s often the backbone and heart of the community.
Chook raffles, footy club award nights, 21st birthdays, wedding receptions and wakes: The local pub is often home to them all.
It’s where locals go to share a drink, a meal, all the local news and a laugh.
Increasingly, they are also becoming destinations for city visitors, who revel in the ambience.
Today we profile some of the charming and quirky pubs of country Victoria, and even name their most regular customers!
Stanhope Family Hotel
Publican: Mandy Goddard and Mat Holmes.
Where: Stanhope, about 40km west of Shepparton.
How old: Since June 25, 1962.
Menu includes: Pizzas, parmas, burgers and pub classics.
Beer on tap: Carlton Dry, Carlton Draught and Great Northern all on tap.
Busiest times: Friday and Saturday nights.
Regulars and barflies: Routy, Merv, Allan, Trev, John, Shakey, Ben, Axel, Stig, Nursey, Shan, Skiddy, Kerry, Shane, Hayden and Sandy, Lyn and Gordon.
Special qualities: Relaxed friendly environment An old-school country pub with live music and karaoke.
Located: 67 Midland Hwy, Stanhope, about 200km from Melbourne, the pub has undergone some major changes under new owners Mandy Goddard and Mat Holmes.
Re-established as the Stanhope Family Hotel in 2019, the business still carries on traditions.
“We knew it needed a bucketload of renovations when we bought it but that’s been part of the journey,” Mandy said.
While the owners live onsite, the family at the venue goes beyond their own.
It includes the staff and the regulars you’ll see enjoying a nice cold one during the week.
“There’s Al who is like a grandfather to all of us,” Mandy said.
“He will even go and pick up my kids from school for me. Then Trev and Chasey are always here, doing odd jobs to help us out.
“Our darts and pool teams are outstanding too.”
There’s plenty to eat and drink at the pub as well.
Mandy says there is also a seasonal tap which changes regularly while wine and spirits are available.
It is the perfect entertainment venue with a new beer garden and large deck which is often home to local talent.
And you can expect to see the place regularly pumping on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We love giving local up and coming artists the opportunity to perform a set for us,” Mandy said.
The pub is also proud to be a major sponsor of the Stanhope Cricket Club, a partnership it thrives on.
Werrimull Hotel
Publican: Jim Barnfield, with partner Toni Astill doing meals.
Where: About 45 minutes west of Mildura.
How old: First licenced in 1938.
Menu includes: Basic pub food such as parmas, crumbed chops, beef schnitzel.
Beer on tap: Carlton Dry, Carlton Draught, Great Northern.
Busiest times: Friday nights for the meat raffles and Jumping Joker.
Regulars and barflies: The Kelly family, John and Mary.
Special qualities: Has the title of being Victoria’s most outback pub.
“It‘s just a good friendly atmosphere outback pub,” publican Jim Barnfield said.
“We keep our meals to a good size and a reasonable price.”
The pub has three beers on tap but a fourth, Melbourne Bitter, comes out during the hot summer months where temperatures often reach the 40s.
Woolsthorpe Union Station Hotel
Publican: Michelle McQuilton.
Where: Manifold St, Woolsthorpe (31km north of Warrnambool).
How old: 1866 (formerly the Woolsthorpe National Hotel).
Menu includes: Classic pub fare to contemporary dishes with a focus on locally sourced produce.
Beer on tap: Carlton Draught, Great Northern, Carlton Dry, Pirate Life, Four Pines Pale Ale, CC and Dry, cider.
Busiest times: Weekends.
Special qualities: Children’s playground.
A finalist in eight categories at the 2021 Australian Hospitality Association Victorian Awards, the Woolsthorpe Union Station Hotel took out the excellence in service (Michelle McQuilton) and best redeveloped food and beverage hotel gongs — and will now go onto the national awards in Tasmania.
Renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere, the historic pub has undergone major renovations over the past 12 months, with more to come.
“It’s a little country pub — we invite you in whether we know you or not,” hotelier Michelle McQuilton said.
“We draw you and your family in — you come in not knowing us and you go out saying ‘we’ll be back’.”
The pub will soon add stout to its tap collection and plans on holding ‘stout and steak’ nights on Tuesdays during winter.
The Caledonian Hotel
Publican: David Peters.
Where: 153-155 Graham St, Wonthaggi.
How old: 1915.
Menu includes: Parma, fish and chips, burgers, pizza and steak.
Beer on tap: Melbourne Bitter, Carlton Draught, Great Northern, Furphy Lager.
Busiest times: Friday and Saturday nights.
Special qualities: Live music.
This century-old pub in the country town of Wonthaggi is a hit with locals and holiday-makers.
The Caledonian Hotel opened its doors in 1915 and is best known for its live music and hearty food.
David Peters has owned the pub since March this year and loves seeing the venue full of customers on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr Peters said there were half-a-dozen regulars - including tradies and retirees - who came in five nights-a-week to enjoy a parma, fish and chips or steak.
But the new owner said you couldn’t go past the mixed-grill.
The Graham St pub currently has six beers on tap including Melbourne Bitter, Furphy Lager and Carlton Draught but is looking to extend the range to 12.
The National Hotel
Publican: Bruce Morcom.
Where: 182-186 High Street, Bendigo.
How old: 1863.
Menu includes: “Everything”, according to owner Bruce Morcom.
Beer on tap: Great Northern, White Rabbit, Three Brokthers, Canadian Club and Dry. Victoria Bitters, Mountain Goat, and Asaii.
Busiest times: “Always”.
Special qualities: “We’re just a good all-round country pub.”
For 158 years Bendigo residents have looked to the National whenever they’re thirsty.
The National Hotel Complex has been at the heart of the gold mining town since the beginning.
Co-owner Bruce Morcom said he had been at the helm of the family-owned and operated pub for 20 years.
Mr Morcom said it was a favourite for locals, with about 300 people lining up for lunch on Friday.
“We’re always busy,” he said.
“We’re pretty well known around the traps.”
Courthouse Hotel
Hotel name: Courthouse Hotel.
Publican: Crag and Nadia Gavin.
Where: Smythesdale.
How old: Opened in 1850s.
Menu includes: Pizas, duck, seared steaks, salmon and traditional pub food.
Beer on tap: Carlton draft, VB,
Busiest times: Friday and Saturday nights.
The grand Courthouse Hotel towers over Brooke Street in Smythesdale, about 20km south west of Ballarat, has been a popular watering hole since the gold rush era in the 1850s.
The majestic two-storey Victorian styled pub rose from the ashes of a previous weatherboard building that burnt to rubble after it had been open for two years.
Owners Craig and Nadia Gavin are new to the game, having only just taken over as the publicans three weeks ago, but say the great service and product the Courthouse Hotel is famous for, will continue on.
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