2012 Readers’ Choice Awards: Best Pub

Daly Waters Pub

“A true blue Aussie experience” according to one reader, this outback pub in NT tops the list of Australia’s favourite watering holes.

Located approximately 600km south of Darwin and 1000km north of Alice Springs, ‘We are in the middle of somewhere’ the website reads.

Catering for all travellers passing through the area, the walls and ceilings are adorned with all kinds of memorabilia, from Irish football jerseys to bras of all sizes.

The entertainment is typical Australiana – the resident performer Chilli shares funny stories about the early days in the Territory, paying homage to the historical roots of the town and the pub, which was built in 1930.

Readers love its heritage and the good old-fashioned pub grub served – as well as the promise that beer is always icy cold, despite the soaring heat outside. dalywaterspub.com

Finalists

For the second time Birdsville Hotel (theoutback.com.au/BirdsvilleHotel), on the edge of the Simpson Desert was a clear AT favourite, while Lord Nelson Brewery (lordnelsonbrewery.com) located in The Rocks appealed to Sydneysiders. The Oaks Hotel (oakshotel.com.au) in Neutral Bay proved an idyllic place to spend lazy Sunday afternoons, while eccentric Ettamogah Pub (ettamogahhotel.com.au) in Kellyville Ridge won votes for its family-friendly activities.