Five country pub beer gardens near Melbourne worth the drive
Australian pubs are famous for their informality, making them perfect to drop in for a drink and good grub. If you’re looking to get away from the city, a pub with a beer garden is even better.Ever get the impression you’ve been stuck indoors for months and are getting sick of your own cooking? We know how you feel. If you need some country air, there’s nothing like driving to a country pub and enjoying the outdoor vibe of a classic beer garden setting for lunch. But which one to choose? Don’t worry, we’ve done the thinking for you …
Wye Beach Hotel, Wye River
The Wye Beach Hotel is a surprising rarity along the Great Ocean Road: a good old fashioned pub with generous outdoor seating and uninterrupted views of the sea. In case you didn’t know, Wye River is a sleepy hamlet between Lorne and Apollo Bay; the hotel has plenty of beers on tap and a big deck where you can enjoy pub meals made from locally sourced produce (including its famous fish and chips) and watch the waves roll in.
Inverleigh Hotel, Inverleigh
This gorgeous bluestone pub was opened in 1856 so it has quite a hospitality history. And the Inverleigh has not one, but two beer gardens and a wraparound veranda on the corner of the Hamilton road (the town itself is about 20 minutes out of Geelong). Being on the edge of Victoria’s Western District there is plenty of local produce to choose from, whether it be slow-cooked lamb shoulder, roasted pork belly or a hearty porterhouse. Sitting outdoors under the shade of a peppercorn tree with friends or family never seemed so far from the city.
Bridgewater Hotel, Bridgewater
If you’re heading up the Calder Highway to Mildura, or just want to drive a couple of hours out of Melbourne past Bendigo, Bridgewater is the place to stop. The town’s classic, 1940s art-deco pub is on the banks of the Loddon River, and the outdoor drinking/dining area looks over the water. Stay for a parma, a pizza or something a bit fancier and on the way out, pop down the road to the Bridgewater Bakehouse for one of its world-famous vanilla slices. Or maybe two.
Metung Hotel, Metung
The Gippsland Lakes are Victoria’s boating wonderland and while boaties can tie up at the Metung Hotel’s wharf and pop in for a feed and a frosty, landlubbers are equally welcome. The hotel dates back to the 1870s but the current structure is a much newer, resort-style establishment. The views across Metung’s Bancroft Bay are mesmerising and the boardwalk tables are the best place to enjoy local beer-battered flathead tails and chips. It’s a solid four-hour drive from Melbourne, so think about staying the night.
Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham
Trentham is only a 75-minute drive from Melbourne, but the unspoiled nature of this leafy country village makes it seem a world away. Smack bang in the middle is the Cosmopolitan, a classic corner pub with log fires and timber panelling indoors, and out back is a huge shady beer garden. Pub classics are available plus some seriously gastro-pub offerings, local Macedon Ranges wines and even some local brews. You’ll want to explore the town and nearby attractions, so allow a full day.
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