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The Land and our readers want to give a shout out to our pubs that certainly give country folk a reason to celebrate the colour of life.
Have you been to these pubs?
Nevertire Hotel
The Nevertire Hotel has been the social community hub of the great grey plains since 1882. It’s survived two cyclonic storms, and is now standing stronger than ever on the Mitchell Highway.
Known for its expansive grassy beer garden and classic country charm, the pub is currently run by three sisters Tori, Harriet and Georgia.
Having grown up at the pub with their father at the helm, the three sisters returned to the bush from the big smoke to take the reins, bringing with them a passion for top notch pub grub and country hospitality.
Related reading:Heart of our town: Here’s cheers to NSW country pubs
Silverton Pub
It’s probably one of the most filmed pubs in NSW where it has been the backdrop for Mad Max and Pricilla Queen of the Desert.
“There is a real mixture of what people look for when they come here,” owner Peter Price said.
“There is the iconic part they come and see but they can also experience what it was like 50 years ago as we still keep it the same way.”
Some nights you can even find real donkeys hanging out the pub window.
“They’ve been the only guests we’ve had in the pub for the past 12 weeks so it’s fantastic to be open again,” Peter said.
And for those brave enough there is always the Silverton test to become a life member, which has been put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. We can’t reveal what that is, you have to go there to experience it.
Willawarrin Hotel
Bushfire recovery is not something that is usually listed in the publican’s how-to manual.
But when the bushfires devastated their backyard west of Kempsey in 2019, Willawarrin Hotel publicans Karen and Gordon Anderson stepped up to help their community.
“We just followed our heart, it’s our community, we didn’t think about what we were doing, we just did what we had to do,” Karen said.
And that’s exactly what they have been doing ever since.
Hair of the Dog Inn, Ballimore
It’s been described as the ‘best pub in the west”.
Formerly known as the Ballimore Inn, owners Brad and Sara changed the name four years ago as there was an old sign out the front of the pub that said: ‘hair of the dog bar’.
“It’s one of those names that people see and they want to come and see what it’s all about,” Brad said.
Both from farming families, the couple spent time on the land while making improvements to the pub.
“The last couple of weeks have been fantastic as people are keen to get back out there again and catch up,” Brad said.
“Pubs are a community meeting place but if it was not for the community we wouldn’t have a pub in the first place, we couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Royal Mail Hotel, Lake Cargelligo
It’s the outback pub with water views as you can sit back and soak up the scenery of Lake Cargelligo from the balcony.
“It’s fantastic to be open again, opening back up again means we can get staff back and everyone is happy to see our patrons,” publican Stella Murray said.
The Royal Mail is known for their variety of parmies including traditional, Hawaiianm, Mexican, bushmans, oinks and fungi (bacon and mushrooms), bust-ya (bacon, egg, cheese topped with onion rings) and and deluxe bacon.
Packsaddle Roadhouse
In one of the most remote corners of the state where the terrain is harsh and unforgiving sits an oasis watering hole on the Silverton Highway north of Broken Hill.
The roadhouse operated by Mia and Arnie Degoumois is a one-stop shop – it’s the pub, restaurant, accommodation, petrol station as well providing a base for NSW Ambulance, State Emergency Services and Rural Fire Brigade.
Readers’ Shout outs
- Ariah Park Hotel
- Snow Goose Hotel, Adaminaby.
- Royal Hotel, Mirrool
- Premer Hotel
- Royal Hotel, Spring Ridge
- Mulga Creek Hotel
- Royal Hotel, Woodstock
- The Eltham hotel, Eltham
- Port Of Bourke
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