10 great Aussie pubs worth spending the night in
By Julie Miller
There’s something comforting about a good old Aussie pub – not only are they a great place to meet and mingle with locals, but they also offer an authentic slice of history, with the tall stories and booze-soaked antics etched into their very walls (not to mention the carpet). These days, however, a pub stay isn’t just about finding the cheapest option available – many now offer stylish accommodation, as well as great food and atmosphere. Here are 10 great pubs where you can lay your head after a night at the bar.
The Sir George, Jugiong, New South Wales
The historic stables at Sir George now sport opulent guest rooms.
It may be an historic pub, but the Sir George is so much more, its meticulous renovation in 2016 creating a destination experience in a tiny country town halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Eight brand new barn-style lofts have been built out the back of the main complex, while the stables dating to 1845 now sport three opulent guest rooms that champion the original stonework. In the main building, there’s a front bar, an award-winning restaurant serving seasonal produce, a downstairs cellar that doubles as a function space, a dedicated whisky lounge, and an artisan bakery where the aroma of freshly baked sourdough wafts through the air. From $435. See sirgeorge.com.au
The Criterion Hotel, Sydney
You’ll find sleek, bright accommodation above this street-level bar.
Located in the heart of Sydney CBD, the Criterion was completely overhauled in 2020, with its heritage-listed 1870s tiled facade now sporting sleek, bright accommodation above its street-level bar and cosy Irish-style bistro, The Snug. Large, contemporary artworks form the centrepiece of each refurbished guest room, with touches such as quality linen, black and white ensuites, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and complimentary toiletries elevating the guest experience. There’s no on-site parking, but the pub is in walking distance of Town Hall station as well as all the city attractions. Rates from $151 a night, see criterionhotel.net.au
The Lorne Hotel, Lorne, Victoria
Stay in four-star comfort at the Lorne Hotel.
Drink in the ocean views from the breezy beer garden at this essential stop along the Great Ocean Road. A Merivale takeover in 2021 has upped the ante in the food and beverage department of this stately historic hotel, with Bondi icon Totti’s the latest addition, serving up produce-focused Italian classics as well as its legendary wood-fired bread. The upstairs guest rooms are due to be given the Justin Hemmes polish in the coming months, but in the meantime, you can stay in four-star comfort, with an offering of 11 rooms and four two-bedroom units. From $198. See merivale.com
Palace Hotel, Broken Hill, New South Wales
Two of its 48 guest rooms are inspired by the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
With its grand facade, colourful murals and daily two-up, the Palace Hotel was fabulous even before it became a cinematic stopover for a bunch of drag queens in the 1994 Aussie classic, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Since then, the outback pub has fully embraced drag culture, with two of its 48 guest rooms inspired by the movie: Bernadette’s Boudoir, a King suite with open walk-in bathroom replete with Wild Savage imported wallpapers and handmade chandelier; and the Priscilla Suite, preserved as the original movie set with a velour headboard, a Liberace-inspired bathroom with a crystal chandelier and vivid mural painted by Indigenous artist Gordon Wayne. “Oh, tack-a-rama.” From $65 a night shared pub-style room; Bernadette’s Boudoir $235 a night; Priscilla Suite can be booked as one or two bedrooms, from $255 a night. See thepalacehotelbrokenhill.com.au
Bermagui Beach Hotel, Bermagui, New South Wales
Breezy rooms have private, sunny beach-facing balconies.
Locations don’t get much better than this, with the historic Bermagui Beach Hotel boasting uninterrupted views of Horseshoe Bay and the distant Gulaga Mountains. Winner of Best Deluxe Pub Accommodation in the 2022 AHA National Awards, this family-owned Sapphire Coast icon was renovated in 2022, doubling its number of rooms with the addition of the adjoining roadside motel and its retro 1970s vibe honoured in the makeover. Pick of the rooms are the four Ocean View rooms in the original building, with breezy coastal-themed decor and private sunny balconies for watching the sunrise and breaching whales. From $125 a night. See bermaguibeachhotel.com.au
Middle Park Hotel, Victoria
The 25 sophisticated, modern suites make the most of limited space.
Conveniently located across the road from Albert Park, and an easy commute from beaches and the CBD, the Middle Park is an affordable and surprisingly chic option for visitors to Melbourne. The 134-year-old white edifice, distinctive with its curved corner and wrought iron lacework, was overhauled in 2009 by Melbourne architects Six Degrees, utilising the concept of “old travellers hotels” to create 25 sophisticated, modern suites that make the most of the limited space. Down the sweeping Victorian staircase is a well-regarded restaurant with a menu championing seasonal local produce, as well as an impressive, 70-metre-long front bar sporting a “gentleman’s club” aesthetic. From $155 a night. See middleparkhotel.com.au
Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, Victoria
You’ll find a range of accommodation at the Royal Mail.Credit: Emily Weaving
Preserving the environment and regional traditions were at the heart of this bluestone inn’s transformation into one of the nation’s most celebrated country pubs. Embracing the bounty of locally grown produce (much of it coming from the hotel’s extensive garden), the Royal Mail features award-winning dining in a two-hatted restaurant, the degustation journey from chef Robin Wickens matched by the largest collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines in the southern hemisphere. A range of accommodation in newly refurbished bluestone cottages and deluxe suites host up to 105 well-fed guests, with the elegant six-bedroom Mount Sturgeon Homestead the cream of the crop. Rates from $290; while a two-night getaway in a Mountain View room, with dining in both Wickens and the more casual Parker St Project included, starts at $1370 a couple/twin. See royalmail.com.au
Burrawang Village Hotel, Bowral, New South Wales
You’ll find an atmospheric, old-fashioned nod to simpler times at Burrawang Village Hotel.
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported into the English countryside at the charming Burrawang Village Hotel, perched on a hillside 20 kilometres from Bowral. Warmed by open fires and with a convivial atmosphere, The Wang is a popular lunch spot for day trippers to the Southern Highlands, with the sunny beer garden always packed on weekends. But why not linger a little longer, sneaking upstairs to one of eight cosy queen rooms with shared bathrooms, an atmospheric, old-fashioned nod to simpler times and classic pub accommodation. From $150 a night. See burrawangvillagehotel.com.au
Continental Hotel, Sorrento, Victoria
There’s an assortment of glamorous, five-star guest rooms at the Continental Hotel.
The Continental Hotel shines like the proverbial beacon on the Sorrento bayside, luring travellers to its Italianate grandeur since 1875. One of the most famous landmarks on the Mornington Peninsula, it was given a $120 million overhaul in 2022, reimagined as a hospitality precinct with the addition of three new accommodation buildings and a thermal wellness centre, the Aurora Spa and Bathhouse. An assortment of glamorous, five-star guest rooms include classic Heritage rooms in the original limestone building, all featuring king beds, stylish bathrooms, pod coffee machines and a digital compendium. Indulge in a penthouse stay, spanning two storeys with a private rooftop terrace and private plunge pool. From $365 a night, penthouse $3500 a night. See sorrento.intercontinental.com
Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville, Queensland
The Birdsville Hotel has 28 recently refurbished motel-style rooms.
After taking on the Birdsville Track or a day at the Birdsville Races, a cold beer at Australia’s most iconic hotel is a veritable lifesaver. But did you know the 1884 Birdsville Hotel also offers accommodation? There are 28 clean, recently refurbished motel-style rooms out the back that are just the ticket after roughing it in the harsh Queensland outback.
These motel-style units are comfortable and clean, not to mention air-conditioned – and while not exactly character-filled, there are plenty of characters just steps away in the famous bar. Be sure to book early, as there aren’t many other options in this neck of the desert. Rates from $220 a night. See birdsvillehotel.com.au
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