Pop into 20 of the best country pubs around Western Australia

Fun fact: Along with this Perth CBD Pubs rundown, our article on Perth’s best pubs is one of our most viewed.

And we reckon there’s a pretty obvious reason for that – people love their pint with a side of history and a nice level of honest froth on top.

In a similar vein, we’ve done a bit of digging to find some of the best country pubs around our fair state, one that is admittedly pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to outback watering holes.

Cunderdin Pub, Cunderdin

If you’ve ever been driving out into the wheatbelt region of WA there’s a good chance you’ve spotted the Cunderdin Pub and its iconic front visage – ETTAMAGOH PUB. It features everything you want in a proper Aussie country pub – locals with a pile of change and a middy on the bar, hearty pub food, pool tables, random signage all over the walls… The list goes on. It’s warm, friendly, and a must stop-in whichever direction you’re headed.

75 Main Street, Cunderdin

Grand Hotel, Kookynie

This North East Goldfields pub likes to call itself the “shortcut to everywhere”, providing accommodation and camping, food, fuel and icy cold beer in the gold rush town of Kookynie. It’s also become pretty famous for the horses that don’t mind popping in for a visit, and the ghosts the haunt the town.

34 Britannia Street, Kookynie

Billabong Homestead Hotel & Motel, Meadow

Located between Geraldton and Carnarvon along the North West Coast Hwy, The Billabong is pretty much the perfect pit stop spot on your Coral Coast adventure. The well-priced rooms are great an overnight stay, and the tavern/restaurant combo will fill you up after a long day on the road.

Lot 3 N W Coastal Highway, Meadow

York Castle Hotel, York

WA’s oldest existing inland hotel has been operating since 1853, and now has all you can need for a quick little getaway just 100kms out of Perth. Their beer garden is a ripper, and if you do stay the night they’ve even got a pool onsite.

95-97 Avon Terrace, York

Cuballing Tavern, Cuballing

Buit in 1891 the Cuballing has gone through a few different iterations over the decades, with quaint rooms and quality service a feature over the journey. The current owners have made hospitality and friendly service paramount, and are guaranteed to make you feel welcome however long you plan on staying.

8 Alton Street, Cuballing

Palace Hotel, Kalgoorlie

Steeped in even more history than most, the Palace Hotel has been around since 1897 and counts US President Herbert Hoover as a fan after frequenting the joint in his early 20s, apparently falling in love with a barmaid at the hotel before “leaving to marry his college sweetheart and continue his mining career in China.” Of course, the Palace Hotel isn’t alone in Kalgoorlie… In fact there are so many great pubs along the iconic Hannan Street we wrote a whole article about it!

137 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

The Exchange Hotel, Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie’s main street is literally lined with epic heritage pubs, and The Exchange may just be the cream of the character-filled crop. If you’re looking for an authentic Kalgoorlie experience, The Exchange has you covered with saddle bar stools, memorabilia-covered walls, rollicking cover bands on the weekends and of course, skimpies. Chasing something a little more chill? Paddy’s Eat & Drink is their family-friendly restaurant next door serving up big meals and ice-cold cocktails on the alfresco where you can enjoy a bit of people watching with your dinner.

135 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Exchange Tavern, Pingelly

Step back in time at Pingelly’s Exchange Tavern, who have maintained the retro décor of the place to go with the homely staff and welcoming vibe. At 160km from Perth, it makes for a pretty great little weekend getaway, with the Pingelly Observatory and Mourambine Heritage Trails being must-dos.

1 Pasture Street, Pingelly

Endeavour Tavern, Lancelin

Packing arguably the best beer garden views in WA, the Endeavour Tarvern backs right up onto Lancelin beach where you can watch the boats – and dolphins – float by all afternoon. Be careful because time slows down while you chill on the grass out the back of the Endeavour!

58 Gingin Road, Lancelin

Deanmill Workers Club, Deanmill

Located in the timber town of Deanmill just west of Manjimup, the Workers Club is just what it says on the tin – an honest pub full of honest folk. Club 52 slings equally honest pub fare, and they even run a courtesy bus to help get you to and from the venue on Saturday nights.

631 Ipsen Street, Deanmill

Parkerville Tavern, Parkerville

Established in 1902 and nestled near a bunch of walking and cycling trails, The “Parky” rocks a killer outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, live music and great playground to keep the kids busy. If the playground doesn’t tire them out, the on-site wildlife (emu, ducks, chickens) certainly will.

6 Owen Road, Parkerville

Jarrahdale Tavern, Jarrahdale

Once the Murray Arms, the Jarrahdale Tavern is still the hub of Jarrahdale and has some spectacular views overlooking lush Jarrah Forest. With two huge verandahs and an equally large beer garden to enjoy, it’s great for a quick trip out of the city to get some fresh, country-infused air.

640 Jarrahdale Road, Jarrahdale

Southerlys Tavern, Port Denison

​If it is sunset views you’re chasing, Southerlys Tavern overlooking the Port Dension marina is hard to go past. The family-run business is warm and welcoming, and it’s hard to go past their super fresh – and bloody huge – Dongara crayfish for mains.

60 Point Leander Drive, Port Denison

Shamrock Hotel & Exchange Hotel, Greenbushes

We couldn’t split these two great pubs in Greenbushes, an historic timber and mining town in the Blackwood River Valley between Balingup and Bridgetown. There’s plenty of history to dive into around the township, before pulling in at either venue for a hearty pub feed and chat with the friendly locals.

Shamrock Hotel – 61 Blackwood Road, Greenbushes
Exchange Hotel – 22 Blackwood Road, Greenbushes

Dampier Mermaid Hotel, Dampier

As un-pretentious as they come, the Dampier Mermaid Hotel’s huge food hall overlooking the Hampton Harbour is a great place to stop in. The menu is huge and every night packs a decent special, and their tap beers are as icy cold as you’d hope in the warm northwest.

 5 Nielsen Place, Dampier

The Roey, Broome

The Roey is Broome’s longest standing hospitality establishment and may just be the centre of partying in the northwest tourism hotspot. There’s the relaxed front bar filled with locals, casual bistro Pearlers, sports bar and of course their huge outdoor music venue, Oasis. The latter fills up on the weekends when visiting DJs throw down party jams all night, along with Thursday’s infamous Wet T-Shirt comps.

33 Carnarvon Street, Broome

Jennacubine Tavern, Jennacubine

Head about an hour-and-forty-minutes northeast of Perth and you’ll find the Jennacubbine Tavern, constructed in 1902. They’ve got onsite units if you imbibe in one too many pints, and are probably best known for slinging some of the best steaks this side of the border.

24 Collins Street, Jennacubbine

Bridgetown Hotel, Bridgetown

An iconic 1920s Federation style country hotel, The Bridgetown Hotel has ample opportunities to take in some beautiful Blackwood River scenery thanks to an outdoor deck and beer garden. Given its location in one of WA’s most beloved country towns, things can quite busy on the weekends but it’s all part of the experience!

157 Hampton Street, Bridgetown

Bull & Bush Tavern, Boyanup

If you’re headed south make sure you stop in at the Bull & Bush Tavern, 15 minutes out of Bunbury and part of its bubbling Ferguson Valley wine region. It’s a great place for the kids with an epic, enclosed Nature Park, all part of its historic building right on the Preston River. They’ve even got a charter service that’ll get you there and back.

104 Bridge Street, Boyanup

Dardanup Tavern, Dardanup

20 minutes out of Bunbury you might wanna make a stop in at the “Dardy”, the perfect country pub with a big beer garden and play area for the tiny ones. Make sure you save some space before eating there – the portions are as a real as the warmth you’ll receive from the staff.

9 Charlotte Street, Dardanup

Header Image Credit: Cunderdin Pub