The Iconic Australian Pubs In Every Town

Whether it’s a cosy corner pub or a grand historic hotel, we certainly have some epic watering holes across the country.

There’s not much that is as typically Australian as downing a beer at a local pub. Every town has at least one and there are some you’ll find over and over again. The Royal, The Commercial, The Grand and The Railway, just to name a few.

So we asked you, our readers, what the most iconic pubs you’ll find in every Australian town are. Here are the results.

The Royal

Royal Hotel, Eromanga, Qld

The Old Royal Hotel in Eromanga was built in 1885 and is one of the original buildings in the town. Eromanga is actually famous for being the furthest town from the ocean in Australia.

Exterior shot of the Royal Hotel Eromanga — Eromanga is famous for being the furthest town from the ocean in Australia.

Craig’s Royal Hotel, Ballarat, Vic

In the heart of Ballarat, Craig’s Royal Hotel is a legendary Australian gold-rush-era grand hotel. Built in 1862 on the site of Bath’s Hotel, Ballarat’s first officially licensed pub, Craig’s has been a goldfield icon since Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, slept in its ornately decorated rooms in 1867 and Dame Nellie Melba famously sang from its balcony in 1908.

Host to poets, princes and prime ministers over its 160-year history, the hotel is a true icon of the Victorian period.

The Royal Richmond Hotel, NSW

A local’s favourite for more than 170 years, the iconic Royal Richmond Hotel is keeping its much-loved heritage feel, while adding exciting new features and spaces for locals and visitors to the beautiful New South Wales town of Richmond to enjoy, day and night.

The Royal Richmond Hotel has been a local’s favourite for more than 170 years. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Royal Hotel, Mendooran, NSW

The family-friendly Royal Hotel in Mendooran is located on the corner of the main street – you can’t miss it! Let the history of the pub engulf you as you relax in the beer garden with a cool drink.

Exterior of Mendooran Royal Hotel — The Royal Hotel in Mendooran is a family favourite.

Royal Oak Hotel Penola, South Australia

The Royal Oak is situated on the main street of Penola, in the heart of the Coonawarra region. The Royal Oak Hotel actually gave the town of Penola its name. In the language of the local Pinchunga Aboriginal people, ‘Pena’ meant wood and ‘oorla’ meant house. Consequently, as an early translator recorded: ‘Penola: Pena oorla; wooden house, referring evidently to the original weatherboard “Royal Oak" public house.’

Exterior of the Royal Oak — The Royal Oak Hotel gave the town Penola its name.

Royal Hotel, Hill End NSW

Royal Hotel is a cosy take on a traditional and historic hotel bar bistro. A warm and casual hotel bar and bistro located in the centre of Hill End, experiencing the Royal Hotel Hill End is like taking a step back in time. It has been a must-see site in Hill End since opening to the public in 1872.

Exterior of the Royal Hotel in Hill End — Experiencing the Royal Hotel Hill End is like taking a step back in time.

The Royal Hotel Harrisville, Qld

In 1875, The Royal Hotel Harrisville was originally established as the Harrisville Inn by Margaret Wholey Dunn, who was one of Australia’s first female licensees. The original hotel serviced the local cotton and beef industries. It was one of the region’s earliest hotels before burning down in 1916. After being rebuilt in 1920, the hotel has since been the source of many paranormal stories.

Exterior of the Royal Hotel Harrisville — The Royal Hotel Harrisville was one of the region’s earliest hotels before burning down in 1916.

The Commercial

Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel, Beechworth, Vic

Tanswell purchased the Commercial Hotel in 1870 and renamed it Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel. In 1873 he rebuilt the former humble timber pub into the grand, double-storey brick hotel you see now. The Tanswell family sold the Hotel in 1967 after almost a century in their ownership, but the name remained.

Exterior of Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel. — Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel is iconic to Beechworth.

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The Commercial Boutique Hotel, Tenterfield, NSW

A unique experience in the High Country of Tenterfield, visitors will enjoy eating, drinking and just relaxing by the fire in The Commercial Boutique Hotel’s beautifully restored Art Deco building.

Whether you are escaping Brisbane on a weekend getaway or travelling the inland route from Brisbane to Sydney, they offer craft and mainstream beer on tap, and an extensive local and broader Australian wine list.

The bar at The Commercial Boutique Hotel — Relax by the fire at The Commercial Boutique Hotel.

The Commercial Hotel, Walcha, NSW

The Commercial Hotel in Walcha is a beautiful country hotel with a friendly atmosphere, where families and children are welcome. The restaurant is cosy with an open fire adding ambience and warmth for those chilly evenings in winter.

Exterior of the Commercial Hotel in Walcha — The Commercial Hotel in Walcha is the perfect cosy spot.

The Grand

Yarra Valley Grand Hotel, Yarra Glen, Vic

The Yarra Valley Grand Hotel was built in 1888 and is a landmark historical hotel located in the heart of the Yarra Valley. With great pub food, a kid’s playground and live entertainment every weekend, there is so much to love here.

The Yarra Valley Grand Hotel is a landmark historical hotel

The Grand Hotel Kookynie, WA

The Grand Hotel in Kookynie is a classic, iconic outback pub that provides accommodation and camping, food, fuel, and of course icy cold beer and refreshments.

The Grand Hotel in Kookynie exterior — The Grand Hotel in Kookynie is a classic, iconic outback pub.

The Railway

Railway Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic

The Railway Hotel is a long-standing, family-owned and operated pub located in the historic township of Castlemaine within the goldfields area in central Victoria. The pub dates back to the mid-1800s and is one of a few surviving hotels from the bustling gold boom era.

The exterior of the Railway Hotel Castlemaine. — The Railway Hotel in Castlemaine dates back to the mid-1800s.

Railway Hotel, South Melbourne, Vic

This historic gem has been in operation since 1856 and still holds plenty of the original charm. The Railway Hotel in South Melbourne is a perfect example of how a classic Australian Pub should be and sits proudly like a shrine to the original pubs that shaped Melbourne.

Exterior of the Railway Hotel in South Melbourne. — The Railway Hotel in South Melbourne still holds much of its original charm.

The Victoria

The Victoria Hotel, Bathurst, NSW

The Victoria Bathurst is an old pub, with old pub features, yet with a modern touch, that’s not hell-bent on being a smug hipster hangout. In either of the dining rooms and in the front bar, the walls are adorned with imagery conjured up by local artists.

Exterior of the Victoria in Bathurst. — The Victoria in Bathurst welcomes hipsters but not Karen’s. (Image: Nicola Bailey)

The Vic on the Park, Marrickville, NSW

This list wouldn’t be complete without Sydney’s favourite Vic – the Vic on the Park! Located in the heart of Marrickville, The Vic is a home away from home for locals and their pups alike. The iconic inner west local will put classic pub food on your plate, so save a table on the deck for beers, or catch a gig by your favourite local band.

The Vic on the Park beer garden. — The Vic on the Park is an inner west icon.

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Victoria Hotel, O’Halloran Hill, SA

Whether it’s a more relaxed and comfortable drink at any time of the week, the Victoria Hotel bar is just the place for you. With open fires, brilliant views and the friendliest staff around, you are guaranteed a good time at The Vic.

The Victoria's Grillhouse sign in O'Halloran Hill — The Victoria Hotel in O’Halloran Hill is full of friendly staff.

The Exchange

Exchange Hotel, Kalgoorlie, WA

The Exchange Hotel is Western Australia’s most iconic and photographed hotel, with walls that speak of a Gold Rush that put Kalgoorlie on the world stage. The Exchange is the town’s longest operating license, established in the early 1890s, and encompasses Paddy’s Restaurant and the Wild West Saloon.

The exterior of the Exchange Hotel in Kalgoorlie. — The Exchange Hotel in Kalgoorlie is Western Australia’s most iconic and photographed hotel.

Exchange Hotel, Gawler, SA

The Exchange Hotel in Gawler, South Australia was first licensed in 1868 and was originally a single-story building, whereas today, the original facade of The Exchange remains but with a fresh and modern hotel on the inside.

The Imperial

The Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood, QLD

Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood is a heritage-listed hotel in the Charters Towers Region of Queensland, Australia. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

The Imperial Hotel not only has an impressive exterior but also a magnificent red cedar public bar area with stained glass, and the dining room is set with antique tables, chairs and original silverware.

Exterior of the Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood — The Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood is heritage-listed.

The Imperial Hotel, Erskineville, NSW

The Imperial has been the heart of the LGBTQIA+ community in the inner west since the 80s and was revamped in 2018 with new owners and a new look. The Imperial Erskineville has always been Sydney’s mainstay of equality and inclusiveness. Unique in style, diverse in culture – home of self-expression, creative individualists, performance and drag. Celebration is in the DNA of this iconic space, and we’re all about making those special dates sing, dance and dazzle.

Exterior of the Imperial Erskineville, with drag queens out the front. — The Imperial in Erskineville has been iconic since Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

The Australian

The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks, NSW

The Australian Heritage Hotel is one of Sydney’s oldest pubs, located in The Rocks. Renowned for its quaint, heritage charm, the Australian Heritage Hotel holds the longest-running hotel license in Sydney.

With a passion for craft beers and renowned gourmet pizzas, crowd favourites are the Coat of Arms Pizza, made with emu and kangaroo, and the Saltwater Crocodile Pizza.

The exterior of the Australian Heritage Hotel — The Australian Heritage Hotel holds the longest-running hotel license in Sydney.

Australia Hotel Bar, Fremantle, WA

Established in 1899 the Australia Hotel in Fremantle‘s East End is one of Fremantle’s traditional Aussie pubs complete with a public bar, beer garden and accommodation.

Overlooking Fremantle harbour, enjoy your favourite beverage while the sun sets outside the window.

The exterior of the Australia Hotel Bar in Fremantle — Overlook Fremantle Harbour at the Australia Hotel Bar.

Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

Getting there

Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore. — Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

At one with nature

East Arnhem’s landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

Immersing in local culture

A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land. — Experience authentic moments with the locals.

Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me… and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

Spotting local wildlife

An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance. — Step into a world where nature reigns.

The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.