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.

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven — Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton. — Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog — Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum . Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood. — Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.

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