Category: The Pubs

Point of Interest, SA, The Pubs4 Comments

Burra Passport Tour – Smelter’s Home Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Guidebook in hand and still engrossed in the history of Burra we stop outside Smelter’s Home Hotel which for a time was operated by Woody’s ancestors in the nineteenth century. A tradesman pops out and suggests that we should meet the owner. Val is a charming lady who knows the history of the pub and of all its publicans. It is Australia’s oldest unrenovated hotel. In the early days when there was a death in the district the pub was used as a mortuary, which has to be better than using the butcher shop. Back when the miner’s dugouts in … Continue reading Burra Passport Tour – Smelter’s Home Hotel

The Pubs, Vic4 Comments

Commonwealth Hotel, Orbost

Itching for Hitching

Sept 2012 We walk up to the Commonwealth Hotel also known as the Top Pub, as opposed to the Bottom Pub at the other end of the main street. It is 5:00pm and it’s Friday. The pub fills with locals who all look way too old to have just knocked off especially with their spreading waists and craggy faces. The cheery young bartender has a luxuriant mop of black hair that would have the patrons envious. The bar has suffered many cheap renovations no doubt performed by some of the old locals now breasting the bar. Under the counter, beer … Continue reading Commonwealth Hotel, Orbost

Qld, The Pubs13 Comments

Now that’s a burger!

Itching for Hitching

Older Australians cringe at the thought of an American style burger. Whenever hamburger is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is that it must have a layer of crimson beetroot with egg dripping all yolky through the layers. Pickles? Never! And when it comes to great burgers there’s none better than the famous Nindigully Burger served at Queensland’s Nindigully Pub. This pub is worth going out of your way for and the food lives up to it’s reputation. The burger? Well that will feed a small army of hungry travellers and you can camp out front and sleep … Continue reading Now that’s a burger!

The Pubs, VicLeave a comment

Little River Hotel

Itching for Hitching

This week we popped down to Little River to catch up with caravanning mates who are suffering itchy feet whilst waiting for the kiddies to return to school after the summer holidays. In short we’re all busting to get our camp sites back when the hordes go home. About 50 kms south west of Melbourne and just off the Princes Highway (Geelong Road) you’ll find the sleepy hamlet of Little River. Known to most Melburnians as the place that inspired the name of the rock band… Little River Band. Hidden in the back of town where the tar starts to … Continue reading Little River Hotel

The Pubs, Vic3 Comments

Ky West Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Here’s a small watering hole that most people wouldn’t even notice when passing even though it’s been here since 1896. In bowling green flat land crossed by irrigation channels, acres of corn and dairy cows ‘cos this is known as cow cockie country. Pull up out front, give the door a shove and you’ll be greeted by a friendly bunch of locals and a bloke called Wayne manning the beer taps. Where is it? West of Kyabram in Victoria and a few minutes south of Echuca. Continue reading Ky West Hotel

The Pubs, Vic9 Comments

Poachers Paradise Hotel, Rutherglen

Itching for Hitching

Feb 2016 The mercury hits 42° it is searingly hot and even though the wind is blowing across the lake it feels as though we are having happy hour in front of a hair dryer. We’re in Rutherglen, Vic for a caravan club muster and trying to make the best of it when someone shouts “Why don’t we just go to the pub?” Of course! Why didn’t we think of that? In a flash we’re all up and off across the street to the coolest pub with icy cold beer and huge parmas. Oh heaven. And who says seniors can’t … Continue reading Poachers Paradise Hotel, Rutherglen

The Pubs, Vic12 Comments

Railway Hotel, Dunolly

Itching for Hitching

Spring 2016 The Railway Hotel, yes another one, in the main street of Dunolly is thankfully back in business after having been closed for a year or so. They’re advertising $1 pots until the first goal is kicked in tomorrow’s AFL Grand Final. That should bring the locals in. Back at our friend’s farm we draw the blinds and watch the Western Bulldogs beat the Sydney Swans for their second only Premiership. The first goal isn’t kicked until 12 minutes into the First Quarter and that’s a long while in fast paced Aussie Rules. I wonder how the new publican … Continue reading Railway Hotel, Dunolly