Nothing says ‘Aussie outback’ more than a good old country pub. Packed full of character and eccentricity, there’s no better way to way explore rural Australia than by mingling with the locals – cold beer in hand. Of course, whilst you’re here, you better leave room for a pub feed or two – because the beauty of a visit to an Australian country pub is being able to taste your way through the local produce.

Rough around the edges, iconic and weirdly famous, these country pubs around Australia boast some of the realest charm. A unique experience in its own right, be sure to taste, sip and explore your way through the best Australian country pubs you must visit in 2023 for lunch!

Pub in the Paddock, Tasmania 

This country pub is situated in, you guessed it, a paddock. Surrounded by the beautiful green rolling hills of Tasmania, Pub in the Paddock is one of Australia’s oldest pubs and has been serving drinks since 1880. Apart from serving up some of the best ice-cold schooners in town, here, you’ll also find a good country pub lunch thanks to their expansive menu options available every day of the week. To add to your country pub experience, Pub in the Paddock is also the home to a very unique barnyard friend, Priscilla, ‘The Beer Drinking Pig’, and visitors are encouraged to purchase and offer Priscilla a watered down beer. If you’re keen to stay and explore more of Pyengana, Pub in the Paddock also offers accommodation.

Pub in the Paddock | 250 St Columbafalls Rd, Pyengana, TAS 7216

Royal Oak Hotel Penola in South Australia is a striking heritage-listed hotel with a pub open to guests, locals and visitors alike. More than just your standard country pub fare, Royal Oak Hotel Penola boasts a warm and cosy environment during the winter, and its lively beer garden is also busy during the warmer months, giving it year-round appeal. Backed by great ambience and a seasonal menu with local produce, make sure you enjoy a pub lunch with a drop from the Coonawarra wine region.

Silverton Hotel, New South Wales

Silverton Hotel is certainly a pub with a famous history, with movies such as Mad Max and Razorback having shot scenes at this iconic outback pub. Inside, the walls are adorned with a montage of photos as a tribute to all the times Silverton Hotel has been filmed. Offering ice cold beer and their famous hot dogs, along with a medley of other traditional pub feeds, you won’t be leaving this pub unsatisfied. With the Mad Max 2 Museum just a short distance away, Silverton Hotel, as the name suggests, also has accommodation options. This is one country pub in Australia you must visit at least once in your life.

Silverton Hotel | 12 Layard St, Silverton, NSW 2880

Ulmarra Hotel, New South Wales

Ulmarra Hotel, New South Wales. Photographed by Photos BrianScantlebury. Image via Shutterstock.

Built in 1906, this Federation-style pub is set on the banks of the mighty Clarence River, just 12 kilometres north of Grafton in northern New South Wales. A classic Australian country pub, The Ulmarra Hotel is found in the heart of the charming Ulmarra village and boasts one of the largest beer gardens in the region. If you feel like staying to explore more of the town and river, book a room at this darling hotel for a true Australian pub experience that lasts more than a few hours.

Ulmarra Hotel | 2 Coldstream St, Ulmarra, NSW 2462

Birdsville Hotel, Queensland

Birdsville Hotel, Queensland. Photographed by Wendy Eriksson. Image via Shutterstock.

Birdsville Hotel | Adelaide St, Birdsville, QLD 4482

Nindigully Pub, Queensland

Located on the edge of the outback is Nindigully Pub – the oldest country pub in Queensland. This country pub offers it all: with beautiful food available every day of the week, including some of Australia’s biggest meals. For those game enough, this Australian pub is home to a jaw dropping 1.2 kilogram Roadtrain Burger and an even bigger one-and-a-half-kilogram Caveman Cutlet. Just outside, the pub is next to the beautiful tree lined Moonie River where you can even go in for a dip on a hot day. Nicknamed ‘The Gully’, this country pub is certainly a destination for those interested in Australian history.

Nindigully Pub | Sternes St, Nindigully (Carnarvon Highway via Thallon), QLD 4497

The Daly Waters Pub, Northern Territory

Daly Waters Pub Northern Territory. Photographed by Nick Brundle Photography. Image via Shutterstock.

The Daly Waters Pub is famous for people leaving behind their mark. The story began in the 1980s when a truck driver made a bet with his female passengers that if they couldn’t drink a certain number of beers, they had to leave their bras. Since then the tradition continues with many female visitors leaving their brassiere behind. Despite this, The Daly Waters serves some amazing pub grub using local produce and includes a mix of surf and turf. For the more adventurous, there is crocodile, kangaroo, buffalo and kangaroo sliders and, of course, a variety of beers and Australian wines to choose from.

The Daly Waters Pub | 16 Stuart St, Daly Waters, NT 0852

The Pub with No Beer, New South Wales

The Pub With No Beer, New South Wales. Photographed by James Davis Photography. Image via Shutterstock.

Don’t be put off by the name, this country pub serves up quite a selection of beers to sip into. The Pub with No Beer has been recognised as the inspiration for Slim Dusty’s song of the same name, as one time the pub ran out of beer when the supply was cut off by flooding. There is a pizza lounge and restaurant to choose from and, a selection of local and imported beverages. Outside the views are stunning especially after the sun sets, so be sure to look up at the starry night and enjoy the quiet outdoors.

The Pub with No Beer | 4 Taylors Arm Rd, Taylors Arm, NSW 2447

Prairie Hotel, South Australia

Prairie Hotel, South Australia. Photographed by Lauren Cameo. Image via Shutterstock.

On the edge of Flinders Ranges, Prairie Hotel is the one country pub you will want to visit in 2023. Known for innovative pub food with a unique twist, the pub’s Feral Mixed Grill is listed as one of Australia’s top 100 gourmet experiences. The menu often changes with the seasons, as the staff create meals that use local produce such as native peaches, saltbush and native pepper leaf.  There is also an intimate front bar where you can grab a cold drink and mingle with the locals and other travellers alike.

Prairie Hotel | High St &, West Terrace, Parachilna, SA 5730

For something famous and unique, check out our list of the Top 7 Best Quirky Country Pubs around Australia. Or, if you fancy leafy green terraces, we’ve found 20 of the Best Beer Gardens around Australia of 2023.

Feature image: Silverton Hotel New South Wales. Photographed by Norman Allchin. Image via Shutterstock.

This article was first published on February 17 2017. It was updated and edited by Hunter and Bligh on April 20 2023.