Inside Australia’s best bush pubs

From hidden gems to well-known watering holes, here are the most iconic and best bush pubs across the country, as chosen by The Weekly Times and our readers.

Possibly best-known for the satirical news site, The Betoota Advocate, Betoota is Australia’s smallest town and has just one building – the Hotel.

After more than two decades closed and with no beer, the hotel was revived and reopened in March 2020.

The Birdsville Hotel is one of the best and most-recognised in Australia. Built by William Blair in 1884, it has seen floods, fires and cyclones.

It’s believed The Blue Heeler Hotel is where Banjo Paterson first performed his famous bush ballad Waltzing Matilda.

The town, and the pub, that stakes its claim as the furthest from the sea in Australia.

Royal Eromanga Hotel, Eromanga QLD

The Nindigully is Queensland’s oldest hotel, licensed in 1864 after operating as shearer’s accommodation for the Nindigully Station.

As Mick Dundee would say: ‘That’s not a pub, this is a pub’. The Walkabout Creek Hotel has been made famous for being the pub Crocodile Dundee was filmed.

Conargo Hotel, Conargo

Famous for its bumper stickers, the iconic NSW Riverina pub burnt down in November 2014 and is being rebuilt. Established in 1853, the pub was a popular meeting place for jackaroos across the region. NSW

Despite it’s name, The Pub With No Beer, has more than enough with 16 on tap, but that wasn’t always case, as legend would have it, it once ran out.

The Pub with No Beer, Taylors Arm NSW

Local timber cutter and song writer, Gordon Parsons immortalised the story in what became one of Australia’s most famous songs, A Pub With No Beer recorded by Slim Dusty.

Silverton Hotel, Silverton

This famous pub has been featured in many films from Razorback and Wake in Fright to The Slim Dusty Movie, blockbuster Mission Impossible II and the Aussie classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. NSW

Kalimna Hotel, Lakes Entrance

VIC The Weekly Times reader Gary Power

Old fashion friendly country service is what you’ll find at the Beverford Tavern, according to reader Jacinda Croft: “It’s a place where everyone is welcome."

Dederang Hotel, Dederang

VIC The Weekly Times reader Darren Allsop

Kevington Hotel, Kevington

The hotel was built in the 1860s during the gold rush era and over the years has played host to various famous visitors including family members of the famous Hilton hotel empire. VIC

“They hit it off with my grandfather (who was the owner at the time),” publican Wayne Poole said. “They had a few drinks and on the Sunday morning he christened it the Kevington Hilton.”

Swipe up to see the full list

Words: Kirrily Carberry Producer: Grace McKinnon Swipe up

NewsBite

Inside Australia’s best bush pubs

From hidden gems to well-known watering holes, here are the most iconic and best bush pubs across the country, as chosen by The Weekly Times and our readers.

Possibly best-known for the satirical news site, The Betoota Advocate, Betoota is Australia’s smallest town and has just one building – the Hotel.

Betoota Hotel, Betoota

After more than two decades closed and with no beer, the hotel was revived and reopened in March 2020.

The Birdsville Hotel is one of the best and most-recognised in Australia. Built by William Blair in 1884, it has seen floods, fires and cyclones.

Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville

It’s believed The Blue Heeler Hotel is where Banjo Paterson first performed his famous bush ballad Waltzing Matilda.

Blue Heeler Hotel, Kynuna