The best pubs in the Perth Hills

As soon as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, we’re itching to get out and explore the best the Hills have to offer and soak up the spring vibes in a picturesque beer garden!

(Although plenty of these charming and historic pubs have cosy, crackling fireplaces perfect for the winter months…)

Stretching the length of the Hills (and maybe a bit beyond if we’re being entirely honest!), we’re clearing our weekend schedule to hit up these pubs for a few pints – with a designated driver, of course!

​​The Parkerville Tavern

Look, you could probably shake a tree in the hills and a ripping heritage pub will fall out, but the Parkerville is up there with the best of ’em. The two-storey federation-style pub is right in the thick of the action in the hills, and as such you’ll find it buzzing on the weekends with visitors and locals alike. There’s a huge beer garden with playground for the kids, so it’s pretty popular with the daytrippers during the day before getting a bit rowdier later with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

6 Owen Road, Parkerville

Last Drop Elizabethan

A little slice of Olde England, this family-run pub has been loved by locals for over 25 years, and it’s the ideal spot to warm up by the fire with a hearty pub feed on those chilly autumn afternoons. “The Lizzie” has a village green to relax with a pint from their own microbrewery while the kitchen offers an array of bar snacks, big bites (including big juicy burgers) and sharing plates. Plus they are pet friendly so you can bring the whole gang down! 

25 Canns Road, Bedfordale

The Best Drop Tavern Kalamunda

Haven’t got your fill of Tudor-style pubs? Never fear: there’s more ye olde pints to be sunk! In the heart of Kalamunda and family owned and operated since 1973, Best Drop Tavern has all the kitschy, retro charm you’d hope for and a menu of British-Australian pub fare – think chip butties, mini Yorkies stuffed with mushrooms or the special roast of the day.

18 Haynes Street, Kalamunda

Mundaring Weir Hotel

You can’t forget the historic Mundaring Weir Hotel. Established in 1898, the hotel has live music and spit roasts on Sundays, with a kids playground, table tennis and basketball just behind the stage. The kids menu also has heaps of options, with lots of family favourites.

Lot 502 Hall Road, corner of Mundaring Weir Road, Mundaring

The Mundaring Hotel

Not to be confused with the Mundaring Weir Hotel, the Mundaring is an icon in its own right! Established in 1899, its appeal has stood the test of time – whether you’re stopping in for a hearty Sunday roast, enjoying a post-hike pint or getting the whole family together in that huge beer garden.

Cnr. of Nichol and Jacoby Street, Mundaring

Mount Helena Tavern

Established back in 1902, the Mounties is a slice of country Australiana – just 33km from the CBD! Park yourself in that huge, rambling beer garden (complete with its own babbling brook during the wetter months), grab a pint and tuck into some good old-fashioned pub classics – although their monthly specials are pretty darn hard to resist.

900 Keane Street, Mount Helena

FOUND. Lab

Overlooking the water in Byford’s The Glades, FOUND. Lab’s 600L system will allow head brewer Will – the man behind Feral’s Hop Hog and Biggie Juice – plenty of room to experiment alongside the year-round range of craft classics.

Outside of beer, the wine and cocktail list has been curated with the help of Si Paradiso and El Grotto’s Emma Crisp, while the menu has been heavily influenced by a recent trip along the West Coast – not of WA, but USA: think beef dip or buffalo chicken sandwiches, plus local pub classics like fish and chips, steak sangas and pizzas.

 1 Olsen Gardens, Byford

The Kalamunda Hotel

Built in 1902, the Kala has been the heart of the Hills for over a century – including a few spooky tales! The family bistro has both a kids and seniors menu to keep the whole family happy, plus some beautiful heritage architectural features – not to mention a big ol’ beer garden where you can soak up the sunshine with a few pints!

43 Railway Road, Kalamunda

Noble Falls Tavern

One half of one of our favourite hike and pint combos, Noble Falls Tavern is literally across the road from the Noble Falls Walk Trail picnic area – you can even see the falls from the tavern.

Built in 1962, it packs plenty of old school charm, and is a great place to catch the footy on the weekends, with two pool tables and plenty of TV screens to watch the action. They’ve also got a nice beer garden to chill out in, plenty of beers on tap and a hearty pub menu filled with the classics like a chicken parmi, steaks, burgers, pizzas and kids options.

Jarrahdale Tavern

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

King Road Brewing Co

Next time you’re knocking around the southern end of the Hills with the family and looking for the perfect lunch spot, make sure to pop into King Road Brewery. Their stand-alone brewery whips up some delicious beer and cider combos, with the bar and restaurant keeping you watered and fed with seasonal menus and plenty of weekend specials. Live music is a common feature during the warmer months, and for the kids they regularly program entertainers to keep them busy – that’s if you can pull them away from the adventure playground!

796 King Road, Oldbury

The Chidlow Tavern

With its sweeping corrugated roof and nostalgic sign, the Chids seems to keep a memento from every decade since its establishment in 1908, when Chidlow’s Well (as it was then known) was home to a bustling railway connection to Guildford. Watch the world go by with a pint in hand out the front, or settle into the dining room inside amongst the railway memorabilia.

4 Thomas Street, Chidlow

Cover image: The Mundaring Hotel