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.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.