The Top 7 Pubs In Wagga - Australian Traveller

Whether you’re on the hunt for a cool little indie taproom or a reliable local pub that dishes up all your favourite comfort foods, these Wagga pubs deliver.

While Wagga Wagga isn’t coming for Sydney’s craft beer crown anytime soon, this Riverina city does have a number of fine pubs up its sleeve. From family-friendly taverns with huge beer gardens to independently owned and operated brewpubs, here is our pick of the pubs in Wagga Wagga.

1. Thirsty Crow Brewery

This family-owned and operated brewpub, the only one in town, ticks a lot of boxes. Aside from Thirsty Crow’s obvious drawcard (its solid range of house-brewed stouts, as well as rice lagers, fruit-flavoured weisses, and a number of ales) the venue also has a sizable menu that runs the gamut from tacos and nachos to salads, pizzas and burgers, and features options for kids too – making it one of our best restaurants in Wagga Wagga too. Plus, live music is a regular weekend fixture. Swing by and try out four of their beers for size with a tasting paddle.

Address: 153 Fitzmaurice Street Wagga Wagga NSW

Thirsty Crow Brewery, Wagga Wagga, Riverina, NSW, Australia — This family-owned and operated brewpub ticks a lot of boxes. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Palm & Pawn Motor Inn Tavern

Locals flock to the Palm & Pawn Motor Inn Tavern . One of the pubs in Wagga Wagga that’s known for its vast beer garden, the Palm & Pawn is perfect for an al fresco dinner and drinks with friends, plus its sprawling kids’ playground will appeal to families. The generous portions of reasonably priced pub grub (think steaks, burgers and other protein-heavy dishes) will delight the budget-conscious traveller – be sure to exploit the rotating roster of weeknight lunch and dinner specials, too.

Address: 68 Hampden Avenue, North Wagga Wagga NSW

Palm and Pawn Motor Inn Tavern, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia — Locals flock to the Palm & Pawn Motor Inn Tavern. (Image: Palm & Pawn)

3. Jungle Duke Hotel

One of the more hip and modern pubs in Wagga Wagga, the Jungle Duke Hotel is the former Duke of Kent Hotel, reimagined thanks to a recent renovation that’s leaned into the younger crowd in town.

If you love margaritas, you’re in luck – this pub has four on the menu (go for the spicy margarita with its chilli-salt rim), and there are plenty of other cocktails to choose from, including two shared jugs. This is definitely the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night if you want a slice of the Wagga Wagga nightlife.

Food-wise it’s your usual upmarket pub fare, like ginger beer battered fish and chips, a particularly fancy steak sandwich and the classic chicken schnitzel. Our tip? Pop in for lunch, when six of the popular dinner meals are just $18.

Exterior of the Jungle Duke Hotel — The Jungle Duke Hotel is the former Duke of Kent Hotel.

Address: 125 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga NSW

4. Turvey Park Hotel

Among the more sleek and chic pubs in Wagga Wagga, the Turvey Park Hotel underwent a total renovation in early 2021. And while, yes, there’s still a betting lounge with walls full of TV screens, there’s also a sizable courtyard where you can lap up the sunshine, G&T in hand, or a bright and inviting dining room where you can enjoy a thoroughly decent (and well-priced) pub meal. Located just a 10-minute drive from Wagga’s CBD, this suburban pub is a bit of a Wagga Wagga failsafe, whatever the occasion.

Address: 71 Bolger Ave, Mount Austin, Wagga Wagga NSW

Turvey Park Hotel, Wagga Wagga NSW Australia — This suburban pub is a bit of a Wagga Wagga failsafe, whatever the occasion. (Image: Turvey Park Hotel)

5. Union Club Hotel

Situated smack-bang in the centre of town, this popular watering hole promises 15 beers on tap, beautiful jarrah wood bar counters, and a wildly spacious wraparound balcony that’s perfect for sundowners. Moreover, vegetarians and coeliacs are well-catered to here. The pub’s bistro and steakhouse has a healthy smattering of gluten-free, vegan and veggie options lining the menu. But it’s the Union Club Hotel’s perfectly cooked steaks that routinely receive rave reviews.

Address: 122 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW

Union Hotel, Wagga Wagga NSW Australia — This popular watering hole is situated smack bang in the centre of town. (Image: Union Club Hotel)

6. Romano’s Hotel

There is oh-so-much to love about this Wagga Wagga pub, located on the city’s main shopping street, Fitzmaurice. Though it doesn’t look like much from the outside, this Wagga institution (going strong since 1857) has four different spaces to suit your every mood (and every season).=

Spend winter evenings holed up in the pub’s slick main bar, all tiled floors, ambient modern lighting, and bentwood-style dining chairs. Enjoy summer afternoons in the pub’s shady ‘laneway’ with its picnic tables and benches and wall of greenery.

Kick back in the so-called ‘alfresco area’ come spring and autumn; fitted with both fans and heaters, the space is great whatever the weather. Or make a real night of it at Romano’s separate NYC-inspired cocktail and wine bar The Hampden.

You’ll find all your favourite pub food classics here – parmys, steaks, pies, pastas, calamari and more – plus daily specials too.

Address: 81 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga NSW

Exterior, Romano's, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia — Spend winter evenings holed up in the pub’s slick main bar. (Image: Romano’s)

7. Riverina Hotel

You can’t visit the pubs in Wagga Wagga without an appearance at its oldest institution. The Riverina Hotel has been welcoming locals and tourists alike since 1851 – considering Wagga Wagga was only gazetted as a village in 1849, that’s a pretty impressive run.

The Riverina (or ‘The Riv’ as locals say) kind of has everything. Sports fans will love the big-screen TVs playing major games all day and night, families will enjoy the kid-friendly bistro serving lunch and dinner, plus a variety of daily specials. If you happen to be in town on a Wednesday, book a table for trivia. When we say book, we mean it – the weekly event is often full-up.

Address: 188 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga NSW

The original article was written by Chloe Cann but has since been updated by Melissa Mason.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

From grub to craft brews – here are the top 7 pubs in Wagga