The Best Country Pubs In Victoria

There’s little debate that the core of almost all country towns across Australia is made up of three things – a petrol station, a bakery, and a great pub. But which are the best country pubs in Victoria?

As a hub of the local community, there’s a charm to country pubs that simply doesn’t exist in CBD establishments, making them glorious destinations to stop at for a feed if you’re in the area. Regardless of whether you’re passing through on a road trip or you’re staying in the town for the weekend, the local watering hole is always a must-visit.

So if you find yourself in rural Victoria and you’re looking for the best pubs around, we’ve wrapped up our favourite venues that promise a cold pint, great conversation, and a parma you’ll be thinking about for weeks. However, if you want to stick closer to the capital, check out the best pubs Melbourne has to offer.

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Wye Beach Hotel, Wye River

Sometimes, all it takes is a large, sun-soaked balcony and an even bigger, more breathtaking view. Wye Beach Hotel offers exactly that, as a laid-back gem where you can unwind with a classic menu, cold drinks, and a front-row seat to the waves rolling in. If you’ve had the good sense to stop off in this quiet coastal town along the Great Ocean Road, then having the Wye Beach Hotel as your local spot is a solid call.

Address: 19-21 Great Ocean Rd, Wye River VIC 3221
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (11:30 AM – 9 PM); Friday – Saturday (11:30 PM – 10 AM); Sunday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)

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Red Hill Hotel, Chewton

The charming former gold mining town of Chewton is located in the heart of Central Victoria, and the 165-year-old Red Hill Hotel is its beating heart. A nod to the town’s historical roots, this pub delivers great food, an impressive beer selection, and a great local atmosphere.

The Red Hill Beer Garden is where you’ll find regular live music, but for the perfect start to the night, the front bar’s pool tables are where good times are guaranteed. Classic, unpretentious, and full of life.

Address: 163 Main Rd, Chewton VIC 3451
Contact: (03) 4410 9017
Opening Hours: Thursday (3 PM – 9 PM); Friday (3 PM – 11 PM); Saturday (12 PM – 11 PM); Sunday (12 PM – 9 PM)

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Craig’s Royal Hotel, Ballarat East

Ballarat East, nestled in prime wine country, is one of the standout regions along the famed Great Grape Road, and Craig’s Royal Hotel is the perfect pit stop. With three distinct dining rooms to choose from, it’s the pub’s food and extensive wine list that truly shine, complementing the hotel’s old-world polish.

Even if you don’t plan to stay, it’s well worth spending an afternoon in Ballarat East simply to enjoy the calm of the hotel’s heritage-infused front bar, or indulge in a high tea (2 PM every second Sunday).

Address: 10 Lydiard St S, Ballarat East VIC 3350
Contact: (03) 4344 4082
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (10 AM – 4 AM); Saturday (12 PM – 12 AM); Sunday (12 PM – 11 PM)

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Mountain View Hotel, Whitfield

Just 2km from Pizzini Wines, the Mountain View Hotel is a perfect complement to any trip to the King Valley wine region.

Owned by the Pizzini family, this gastropub excels in both food and wine, offering a refined yet relaxed atmosphere that never feels pretentious. Time seems to slow here, making it impossible to just pop in for a quick visit, and making it a place to savour.

Address: 4 King Valley Rd, Whitfield VIC 3733
Contact: (03) 5729 8270
Opening Hours: “Open 7 days for lunch & dinner”

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Portsea Hotel, Portsea

The Portsea Hotel is a certified local landmark and the perfect spot to visit if you’re heading down to the Mornington Peninsula for the weekend.

Set along the stunning Port Phillip Bay coastline, it’s charming Tudor-style architecture and sweeping views make it one of the most relaxed and scenic pubs in the area. Pouring a very good range of cold craft beer, the pub’s menu is also stacked with comforting classics, locking it in as one of the best country pubs in Victoria.

Address: 3746 Point Nepean Rd, Portsea VIC 3944
Contact: (03) 5984 2213
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday (11:30 AM – 10 PM); Friday – Saturday (11:30 AM – 11 PM); Sunday (11:30 AM – 10 PM)

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The Lorne Hotel, Lorne

Perched on the hillside overlooking the rolling waves below, The Lorne Hotel is a great place to stop along the Great Ocean Road. Whether you’re dropping by for a quick bite in the bistro or beer garden, or you’re after a more elevated dining experience at Totti’s Lorne, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the impressive drinks list and food menu.

Address: 176 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
Contact: (02) 9114 7398
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (11 AM – 12 AM)

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Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld

Located at the southern tip of the Grampians National Park, the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld marries rustic charm with refined luxury, with the flagship restaurant, Wickens, boasting two Chef’s Hats and a critically acclaimed degustation menu driven by hyper-local produce from its 1.2-hectare Kitchen Garden.

Below the dining room lies a wine cellar spanning two generations and more than 30,000 bottles, including the largest private collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Southern Hemisphere. With elegantly appointed rooms that balance understated sophistication and pastoral views, the Royal Mail Hotel is both a world-class culinary destination and an idyllic country retreat.

Address: 98 Parker St, Dunkeld
Contact: (03) 5577 2241

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The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham

If you drive an hour and a half north-west of Melbourne to the town of Trentham, you’ll find The Cosmopolitan Hotel, living by its mantra “eat, drink, love local”. This charming country pub champions Regional Victoria’s world-class produce, with modern dishes that spotlight seasonal produce sourced from nearby farms, and an equally impressive wine list, featuring cool-climate Macedon Ranges vintages alongside richer offerings from Bendigo and Heathcote.

There’s an expansive beer garden to relax after a long day, shaded by century-old elms and dotted with paths that wind through the gardens, while if you’re more of a beer drinker, you’ll find plenty of regional craft beers and local cider. The Cosmopolitan Hotel delivers understated elegance and genuine country hospitality in spades, making it one of Victoria’s finest rural pubs.

Address: 21 High St, Trentham VIC 3458
Contact: (03) 5424 1516
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (11:30 AM – 10:30 PM)

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Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford

Enjoying its place at the heart of Daylesford since 1857, the Farmers Arms Hotel is cloaked in red brick and climbing vines and successfully marries heritage charm with a contemporary edge.

Inside, a sophisticated menu elevates classic pub fare, while the bar showcases an extensive selection of craft beers and regional wines. Whether you’re clinking glasses by the fireplace or stepping out onto the vine-draped terrace, the Farmers Arms captures the essence of country hospitality, making it one of Victoria’s most beloved rural pubs.

Address: 1 East St, Daylesford
Contact: (03) 5348 2091
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (12 PM – 10:30 PM); Saturday (12 PM – 11:30 PM); Sunday (12 PM – 10:30 PM)

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Tinamba Hotel, Tinamba

The Tinamba Hotel has stood proudly since the 1870s and channels timeless old-world charm with a local twist, boasting a 120-seat restaurant that elevates pub dining with a menu rich in Gippsland seasonal produce (sourced directly from the adjoining family farm). Yet despite the awards that it’s won over the years, it remains a classic public bar at heart, where locals and visitors can enjoy an icy cold beer or wine over a meal.

Address: 4-6 Tinamba-Seaton Rd, Tinamba
Contact: (03) 5145 1484
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Thursday (3 PM – 10 PM; Friday – Saturday (11:45 AM – 10 PM); Sunday (11:45 AM – 4 PM)

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Fish Creek Hotel, Fish Creek

A perfectly poised Art Deco hotel isn’t the sort of thing you’d expect to find in country Victoria, but the Fish Creek Hotel has welcomed patrons since 1939 and has become a must-visit for everyone making the journey down to Wilson’s Promontory National Park. Expect the usual suspects – fresh pints and classic pub fare – but the real draw is the kitchen’s handmade pasta and coastal cheese platters.

Address: 1 Old Waratah Rd, Fish Creek VIC 3959
Contact: (03) 5683 2404
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (12 PM – 1 AM)

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Tanswell’s Hotel, Beechworth

This charming two-storey pub has been pulling pints since 1853 and captures everything you love about Victoria’s country inns. Its main bar and the cosy open fireplace set the scene for an icy beer or two, while the kitchen serves up the classics and show-stoppers like seared John Dory and oven-baked gnocchi. With a handful of snug rooms upstairs, waking up here feels like a rare treat.

Address: 50 Ford St, Beechworth
Contact: (03) 5728 1939
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (11:30 AM – 10 PM); Friday – Saturday (11:30 AM – 1 AM); Sunday (11:30 AM – 10 PM)

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The Metung Hotel, Metung

Perched right on Metung’s breezy waterfront, The Metung Hotel is a proper coastal pub with tables spilling onto the marina’s edge and some of Gippsland’s finest seafood. From chilli mussels to freshly shucked oysters, each dish pairs perfectly with harbour views and a crisp local drop.

Address: Kurnai Ave, Metung
Contact: (03) 5156 2206
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (11 AM – 12 AM)

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Did you find this guide to the best pubs in country Victoria helpful? Check out some of our other Melbourne dining content:

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