The Best Outback Pubs and Hotels to Visit in Australia

Exploring Australia’s outback? We’ve put together a list of the best pubs and hotels to stop at on your journey!

Birdsville Hotel (QLD)

With many activities surrounding the area, the iconic Birdsville Hotel offers easy access for those looking for a bar, accommodation, and fun opportunities. It has a welcoming, memorabilia filled pub, tidy spacious rooms, and delicious food and drinks. The hotel rooms come with air-conditioning, a fridge, TV, and private bathrooms.

Within 7km, the iconic Big Red Sand Dune is located, which is a beautiful and colourful sight. The hotel also offers scenic plane rides in-conjunction with Wrights Air, which allows you to see the amazing outback scenery, lakes, and sand dunes from a bird’s eye view!

Nindigully Pub (QLD)

Image Credit: Nindigully Pub

Located on the banks of the Moonie River in Queensland, is the Nindigully Pub and Hotel. It was established in 1864, making them Queensland’s oldest licenced hotel. They have undergone several name changes since then, including the temporary name of ‘Lucktown Pub’ for their feature in the Paperback Hero movie starring Hugh Jackman and Claudia Carvan! The Pub has a warm atmosphere, and a historic bar with walls of memorabilia. They are well-known for their fresh and locally sourced meals, including its famous ‘Road Train’ burger with a huge 1.2kg beef patty!

There are a variety of seating options including a dining room, verandah, and a large outdoor area with small lights strung overhead. Clean, well-maintained amenities, and free camping make it a great place to stop and rest overnight. You’re welcome to park your caravan out the front of the pub and camp along the Moonie River, or stay in one of the Pub’s guestrooms. The river is also perfect for morning walks, which make for a lovely start to the day.

Silverton Hotel (NSW)

The Silverton Hotel, located only 25km away from Broken Hill in New South Wales, is a charismatic pub and hotel well known for its great outback hospitality. Originally opening in 1884, the hotel has a rich history and offers wonderful experiences to its guests, like the donkeys who greeted a Winjana RV customer on their visit! (Thank you to Lyn H for sharing this photo with us) The Silverton Hotel is also one of Australia’s most filmed and photographed hotel locations, with appearances in movies like Mad Max II, A Town Like Alice, Mission Impossible II, and Razorback!

With accessible parking, over-night accommodation, live entertainment, and free Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect place to take a break while travelling. Classic foods available here are burgers, Bangers and Mash, and their famous hot dogs, with a range of drink options.

Image Credit: Lyn H

White Cliffs Underground Motel (NSW)

Image Credit: White Cliffs Underground Motel

Looking for a unique and welcoming motel experience? Then the White Cliffs Underground Motel in far western New South Wales is perfect for you! Originally opened more than 20 years ago, the Motel is the largest underground accommodation in Australia and is “something distinctive and different”.

It has various areas to socialise and have a drink or two, and there’s friendly staff and delicious restaurant food! Accessible undercover parking, and fun utilities like a swimming pool, as well as nearby hiking areas are available. There’s also a museum-like room for guests to browse dedicated to the fascinating history and building of the underground motel, with images and artifacts on display. And you can’t miss the stunning sight of the starry night sky from the top of the Motel!

Prairie Hotel (SA)

Image Credit: Prairie Hotel

Image Credit: Prairie Hotel

The Prairie Hotel, located in Parachilna near the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, is a lovely place to relax in a picturesque setting surrounded by stunning landscapes. It offers an on-site gourmet restaurant, bar, art gallery, and often hosts events, and festivals like art exhibitions and music performances. The Hotel also teams up with local businesses to offer tour experiences such as fossil tours and hosted self-drive trips. If you’re looking to stay at the Hotel, the Prairie Outback Lodge has elegantly styled accommodation with a ‘country chic’ vibe.

The Prairie Hotel is best known for its distinct culinary experiences. The menu showcases a fusion of modern Australian cuisine with native ingredients, such as kangaroo, emu, and native spices. The hotel is particularly renowned for its signature dish the ‘FMG’ (Feral Mixed Grill), which incorporates a selection of native game meats. It also features a bar that offers an extensive selection of local Australian and international wines.

Marla Travellers’ Rest (SA)

Image Credit: Marla Traveller’s Rest

Located along the Stuart Highway in South Australia, Marla Traveller’s Rest is a motel, roadhouse, service station, supermarket, and restaurant all in one place! It originally opened in 1982, and since then has been a great place to have a rest from the road for many travellers. Not to mention the perks of there being an information centre, pool, ATM, BBQ, bar and bottle shop, post office, laundry, and more!

The accommodation options include motel rooms and a caravan park with powered and unpowered sites. The restaurant typically offers a menu that includes a variety of dishes, including Australian pub favourites, light snacks, and refreshing beverages. With plenty of space for parking and friendly staff, it’s a worthwhile break from the road!

Innamincka Hotel (SA)

Image Credit: Innamincka Hotel

Just over the Queensland border into South Australia, is the Innamincka Hotel nestled in the Channel Country. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, modern conveniences, and friendly service, it’s a great place to relax and socialise. The Hotel also holds EcoTourism Certification with Ecotourism Australia.

The Hotel offers a variety of amenities, including accommodation options such as hotel rooms, cabins, and camping facilities. It also has a ‘Burke & Wills Bunkhouse’ with a communal sitting area. It serves classic Australian pub food, including steak, burgers, and local specialties, with a variety of icy cold beverages. Live music events are also sometimes hosted by the Hotel, which add to the lively ambience and entertainment options for guests. They also offer an informative afternoon cruise of Cooper Creek and tours to local landmarks and historical points of interest.

The Mumby (WA)

The Mumby is a pub located in Western Australia, approximately 30kms off the South Western Highway from Donnybrook. It was built in 1907 and has been referred to as “the heart beat of the community since its inception”. The Pub has a great atmosphere with quality meals, drinks, and a spacious beer garden. Live music and raffles are frequently hosted here, providing fun and enjoyable experiences for guests and locals.

Classic Australian foods such as burgers, chicken parmigiana, and steak are available, and it caters well for families and private functions. With free parking out the front of the Pub, and camping areas available just across the road, it’s a great country pub to stop and have a break.

Image Credit: The Mumby

Grand Hotel Kookynie (WA)

Image Credit: Grand Hotel Kookynie

In the north-eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, you’ll find an old country pub called the Grand Hotel Kookynie. It was built in 1902, and boasts architectural character. The town itself offers a glimpse into Western Australia’s gold mining history with remnants of old buildings and mining relics dotting the area.

The Hotel has accommodation, including caravan sites and camping areas, and is a pub where guests and locals can gather, socialise, and enjoy meals and cold beverages. There is also diesel and unleaded fuel, but give them a call in advance to check the availability. You’ll also likely meet their friendly horses who often pop in for a visit by the door, adding to the inviting atmosphere!

Adelaide River Inn and Resort (NT)

The Adelaide River Inn and Resort is located off the Stuart Highway and provides all the essential traveller services and amenities – service station, range of food and drink options, comfortable amenities, pool, and a bistro. There are also a number of local attractions to check out during your stay, like the Adelaide River War Cemetery, Snake Creek World War II Site, Robin Falls, and Litchfield National Park.

The Inn has cabins, pet friendly motel rooms, budget rooms, and a caravan park. They host live entertainment in their outdoor area with local musicians and bands, and have a variety of old country and modern style ‘Diggers Bistro’ meals on offer. Also, don’t forget to get a selfie with “Charlie”, the Buffalo (now statue) made famous thanks to Mick Dundee in the Crocodile Dundee movie!

Image Credit: Adelaide River Inn and Resort

Have you been on a caravanning adventure and visited an Australian outback hotel / pub that you’d recommend?

Feel free to share your story with us, along with a photo, on our Facebook page!

Also, find out all you need to know about our Winjana RV vans here on our website. Please also feel free to contact us direct at Winjana RV, and we will be very happy to assist and answer any questions.

Winjana RV (Adventure RV P/L)
Contact: Andrew Brennen on (07) 4638 3576