9 of the best Mount Gambier pubs with local charm

Tahlia Pritchard Tahlia Pritchard
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Kick back with a cocktail and enjoy the golden glow of the setting sun, in the best Mount Gambier pubs. 

Mount Gambier is the second-largest city in South Australia and is a natural wonderland rich with history. But when you’re not exploring the sights like the Blue Lake or lava caves, Mount Gambier is also home to some great, historic country-style pubs that’ll make you feel right at home.

All Aussie travellers know there’s no better way to unwind than hitting up a country pub, ordering a schnitty, getting an RSL-style wine pour or indulging in a ridiculously cheap schooner.

So, when you’ve finished the day taking in the natural wonders of Mount Gambier, we’ve compiled a list of the best Mount Gambier pubs to unwind in.

1. Macs Hotel

Macs Hotel Cider Garden and interior in Mount Gambier
Unwind with a bev in the Cider Garden.

For friendly service and simple but generously sized meals, Macs Hotel  is a good place to settle in. Whether you’re unwinding with a bev in the Cider Garden or hitting up their bistro lunch specials, Mac’s vibey atmosphere and selection of craft beers and cocktails won’t disappoint.

Make sure to check out the weekly ‘What’s On’ at this local favourite when you’re visiting: from Taco Tuesdays and Steak & Shiraz night to themed ‘00s parties and Saturday DJs, Mac’s Hotel has a range of events to keep every punter happy, every day of the week.

Address: 21 Bay Rd, Mount Gambier

2. Federal Hotel

the building exterior of Federal Hotel, Mount Gambier
Settle into Federal Hotel for a cold one.

Located right on the main road, the Federal plates up the kind of classic pub grub that has visitors coming back for multiple bistro sessions.

From the roast of the day to a huge range of sauces and toppings for your chicken schnitzel, there’s a reason why this Mount Gambier pub is a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike. Don’t forget to check out the cocktail list too, for a range of affordable cocktails, with some as cheap as $10!

Address: 112 Commercial St East, Mount Gambier

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3. Jens Town Hall Hotel

Jens Town Hall Hotel in Mount Gambier
The historical facade of Jens Town Hall Hotel. (Image: Getty Images/ lkonya)

Indulging in a beverage in Jens Hotel’s stunning 19th-century building  feels like dining in a little bit of history. Jens is one of Mount Gambier’s oldest pubs and hotels, and the grand staircase and chandeliers will transport you right back in time. Decked out with a sports bar adjacent to the dining area, Jens is the ideal place to kick back with an arvo drink and catch up on a game. Plus, the fresh salad bar is the perfect accompaniment to any pub steak, schnitzel, or burger.

Address: 40 Commercial St East, Mount Gambier

4. South Australian Hotel

South Australian Hotel Food
Enjoy locally sourced fare at the South Australian Hotel.

Another pub boasting a salad bar, the South Australian Hotel is a big believer in supporting local businesses, sourcing fresh meat and veggies from the area. With huge portion sizes and a happy hour that runs every night of the week from 3 pm to 6 pm, there’s never been a better time to sink a $4 schooner or kick back with a $6 glass of Champagne.

For travellers visiting Mount Gambier earlier in the week, make sure to head along for Monday’s ‘kids eat free’ night or Tuesday’s two-for-one chicken schnitzels. If you’re popping up later in the week, Saturdays are reserved for live entertainment, so kick back and enjoy the tunes. 

Address: 78 Commercial St East, Mount Gambier

5. The Western Tavern

For service with a smile, the Western Tavern is a local gem  for a reason. Whether it’s deals like kids eating for free all school holidays or for themed events like drag bingo shows and local gigs, there’s something for everyone at the Western Tav. And if you’re looking for another Mount Gambier pub option with a fresh salad bar, you’re in luck again – The Western Tavern is fully stocked, with fresh roast veggies at the self-serve salad bar adding to the delicious dining experience.

Address: 178 Jubilee Hwy East, Mount Gambier

6. Park Hotel

a table-top view of a mixed grill dish at The Park Hotel
Don’t miss out on their signature mixed grill. (Image: Jon Wah)

Get drawn in by the retro aesthetic and stay for a drink as you relax in the golden glow of the afternoon sun. The Park Hotel  is great for a relaxed, chill vibe and a fantastic option for those looking for a family-friendly establishment.

The menu is your traditional pub fare with a modern twist, especially for seafood lovers – the squid schnitzel is a must-try, as is the herb-crusted barramundi with steamed vegetables.

Address: 163 Commercial St West, Mount Gambier

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7. Foodie Bar

Foodie Bar  is less of a traditional pub and more of a modern bar experience, but the delicious menu and selective beer, wine, and whisky list will have you wanting to spend more than one night here. You can get your burger, steak, and schnitty fix of course, but for those wanting to tantalise their tastebuds even more, try their Sri Lankan-inspired menu: you won’t regret it.

Address: 93 Commercial St West, Mount Gambier

8. Mount Gambier Hotel

Established in 1862, Mount Gambier Hotel , known by locals as ‘The G’, is an icon of the area. Choose from indoor or alfresco seating and enjoy an extensive menu of pub classics and elevated bistro takes such as crispy skin duck breast, Josper roasted whole crayfish with garlic butter and truffle oil, and espresso martini pana cotta. Too full to head home? Book a stay in one of the tastefully modernised rooms that boost old-world charm.

Address: 2 Commercial St West, Mount Gambier

9. South Eastern Hotel

The South Eastern Hotel is a family-friendly venue offering a spacious bistro, an inviting beer garden and a lively front bar. The bistro features a classic Aussie self-serve salad bar and an enclosed indoor play area for children, making it a popular choice for families.

The menu boasts a variety of pub classics, including chicken schnitzel, fish and chips, garlic prawns and a selection of pizzas. Patrons can also enjoy a range of burgers, steaks and vegetarian options. In warmer months, guests can relax in the alfresco beer garden.

Address: 235 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier

For more insider tips on where to eat around Mount Gambier, check out these excellent cafes in Mount Gambier.

Originally written by Tahlia Pritchard with updates by Rachael Thompson

Tahlia Pritchard

Tahlia Pritchard

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5 of the best day trips from Hobart

    Rachel Lay Rachel Lay
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    Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

    In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

    Where to stay

    Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

    For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

    For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

    A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart.
    Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

    1. Bruny Island

    Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

    Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

    Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

    Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island.
    Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

    2. Mount Wellington

    At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

    Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

    For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

    No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
    Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

    2. Port Arthur

    Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

    The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

    Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

    The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area.
    Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

    3. Launceston

    You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

    Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

    Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

    Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

    4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

    Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

    Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

    Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart.
    Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

    Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

    Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

    Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart.
    Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

    Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .