Wotif 2021 reveals best pub feed, hot chips and toasted sandwich in Australia

Coast to coast, city to city, the hunt for Australia’s best hot chips has come to an end — and the winner may have you surprised.

There’s nothing quite like parking yourself at the pub and ordering a feed with your friends before quickly realising you should’ve gone with the schnitty over the steak.

Well now, finding that perfect lunch has been made a little easier — with online travel site Wotif.com announcing the winners of the people’s choice for its Uniquely Aussie Awards, an annual guide to the country’s quintessential experiences across six categories.

The awards essentially highlight the unique joys synonymous with local travel – hot chips on the beach, regional bakeries serving up nostalgic baked goods, country pubs full of colourful characters, and stunning hotel pools in iconic Aussie settings.

Miss Jaffles in Cronulla voted WOTIF'S Best Jaffles in Australia. Desert Jaffle. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

In addition, this year’s awards also set out to profile the many local legends, businesses and attractions that make Aussie communities tick and represent what travelling in Australia is all about.

The awards, in their fourth year, claim to be more relevant than ever given many of us will continue to holiday at home over the summer period.

The hot chips at Chicken Chef came in as Australia's best.

Combing through thousands of entries and votes from all over the country, Wotif Managing Director, Daniel Finch said this year’s awards uncovered some of Australia’s best kept local secrets.

“Country charm, cheesy jaffles and creamy vanilla slices – no one does them quite like Australia, and the thousands of nominations we received this year shows Aussies are a passionate bunch,” Mr Finch said.

Bridgewater Bakery’s vanilla slice won Australia’s best.

“There’s so much to love and discover about Australia, and with a really exciting summer period ahead, we hope to inspire and encourage Aussies to plan their next adventure and support local businesses.”

So who took out the crown for each category?

New South Wales won the top gong for the Best Jaffles with Miss Jaffles in Cronulla. The state also won Best Country Pub with Beechwood Hotel in Beechwood taking the crown.

South Australia won the Best Hot Chips with Chicken Chef in Blair Athol.

Victoria has the Best Vanilla Slice at Bridgewater Bakehouse, while JW Marriott on the Gold Coast in Queensland claimed the title for the ‘Best Hotel Pool’.

For those who love a bit of outdoors activity — the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park was named Best National Park’.