I've been everywhere, man: country pub expert shares top watering holes

For author and photographer Gavin John, who spent months travelling to Australia's oldest pubs, it's about a hearty meal, a refreshing draught, faithful maintenance of historic features and, of course, ambience.

"Stunning views help and some live music always makes it a more enjoyable experience," he said.

On his pilgrimage to find the best historic hotels, Mr John visited dozens of country pubs and compiled a list of his favourite destinations for a quiet drink in the countryside or a weekend away.

The Sir George, a pub boasting the longest "singularly held" liquor licence in Australia, sits on the banks of the scenic Murrumbidgee River in the tiny New South Wales village of Jugiong.

The pub's stables, originally built in 1845, have been reassembled brick-by-brick for luxury accommodation catering to travellers.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy a schooner in the luscious gardens or strike up a conversation with the locals to learn about the area's rich history including bushrangers Ben Hall, John Gilbert and John Dunn.

Since its construction in 1836, the Bothwell Hotel has served a range of purposes. It's been a famous racing stable, an inn, a guesthouse, a brewery and a watering hole for thirsty locals.

But the hotel's most fascinating use was as a morgue. Bodies would be stored on stone shelves in the cellar as the wake brought lucrative business across the bar, Mr John said.

This lovingly restored pub on Alexander Street in Bothwell remains a favourite for residents of the town and travellers.

The Caledonian Inn in Robe on South Australia's Limestone Coast has welcomed countless international visitors in its 166-year history with many recent guests scrawling messages across the pub's ceiling.

Mr John said Australian bush poet Adam Lindsay Gordon was one such guest at the inn.

After suffering a fall, the poet was nursed back to health by the innkeeper's niece Margaret Park and the pair were married shortly afterwards.

This oasis in the quiet South Australian fishing town invites punters to grab a beer on the balcony or back courtyard, stay for a meal or even overnight.

The towering bluestone Elephant Bridge Hotel in Darlington, Victoria is a destination in itself, Mr John said.

This "magnificent beast of a place" was carefully restored in 2012 by a former owner before it was sold to local farmers Alexandra and Charlie Mann, he said.

But it's another former owner, Adeline, who still calls the place home.

Adeline, who owned the Elephant Bridge Hotel on the Hamilton Highway from 1889 to 1943, reportedly haunts the halls of the historic pub.

Hotel Nicholas, a pub on Camp Street in Beechworth, country Victoria, has morphed and evolved over its 171-year history.

The venue, which started as a hangout for gold miners, has become a trendy spot to hear local bands and drink spirits and beers made on-site.

Dive into plates of bratwurst, sauerkraut and pickled pork knuckles at the historic German Arms Hotel in Hahndorf, South Australia.

The tiny 'German' village, a 30-minute drive southeast of Adelaide, was built after Prussian Lutheran refugees sailed with Captain Dirk Hahn on the Zebra into Port Adelaide in 1838.

Distinctive red umbrellas and planter boxes overflowing with flowers line the street of the German Arms Hotel while accordion music and steins of beer welcome visitors on arrival.

Hobart's oldest surviving pub, the Hope and Anchor Hotel on Macquarie Street, has welcomed thirsty punters since 1807.

"Notorious convict Isaac 'Ikey' Solomon, a renowned thief who may have inspired the character of Fagin in Charles Dicken's novel Oliver Twist, was reported to frequent the Hope and Anchor in the late 1820s," Mr John said.

Models of ships, ancient weapons and musical instruments cover the walls of the Hope and Anchor as punters drink pints of locally made Captain Bligh's ale.

Punters should "brace themselves" for a trip to Jack Duggan's Irish Pub, especially if visiting on the weekend when live music and televised rugby matches make the popular Bathurst watering hole "roar", Mr John said.

This Irish pub, named for the bushranger in the Irish-Australian folk ballad The Wild Colonial Boy, has hosted intoxicating nights since it started trading in 1849 on George Street.

The vibrant atmosphere and generously sized counter meals attract crowds of locals and travellers.

This historic pub, established in 1859 as a stop on the Overland Track between New South Wales and South Australia, sits on the banks of the Murray River.

It was a rest stop for drovers but now welcomes another type of guest on a very different mission.

The Overland Corner Hotel, with its many reported ghost sightings, is a favourite destination for paranormal enthusiasts and documentary film crews, Mr John said.

But for those not as interested in spotting ghostly figures, the hotel is a peaceful place to stop for a beer and a hearty plate of food.

The Settlers Arms Inn in the historic village St Albans, on the Macdonald River between Sydney and Newcastle, is a leafy retreat from the world, Mr John said.

The best time to visit is during the annual St Albans Folk Festival held from April 25 to 27 in 2025.

Or grab a seat beside the resident chooks and peafowl to watch a beautiful country sunset, Mr John said.

Mr John shares the full history of country pubs in the book, Australia's Historic Pubs, co-authored by Jay Millard, Erin Littlehill and Paula-Maree Roberts.