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    Western District Pubs
      


Hotel Warrnambool - The Hotel Warrnambool began life in 1890 as the "Ozone Coffee Palace" and was one of a growing number of temperance hotels (no alcohol) to be built in Australia at the time. The three storey hotel was by far the grandest building in the city with towers, turrets and balconies ( picture opposite ). By 1910 the novelty had worn off and the owners realised that owning a "pub with no beer" was not going to make them rich, in fact the venture was loosing money rapidly and it was during 1910 that an article in the local newspaper described the hotel as "almost derelict" so presumably sections of the hotel had been closed off. Business continued to worsen and by 1915 the Ozone Coffee Palace closed. It remained closed until the end of the war and in 1920 a local entrepreneur ( H R Lawson) renamed it to the Hotel Mansions, installed a new ballroom and picture theatre and reopened the hotel. It ran successfully until February 23rd, 1929 when an electrical fault in the theatre started a fire and although the hotel had fire hoses on every floor the Hotel Mansions burnt to the ground
In 1931 work began to build another hotel on the site, however something more modest in size also this time the hotel was licensed and in 1932 the new Warrnambool Hotel opened its doors to the public . It retained some of the former hotels grandeur with a large formal dining room and quality accommodation upstairs ( which is still in use today).
Since then it has remained one of the cities more up market hotels and even today it is still considered a businessman's pub. The front bar was transformed some years ago to give an "English Pub" feel to it, and it now attracts a more mixed clientele compared to the male dominated bars of many other hotels. The front bar serves a wide selection of local and imported beer and is very busy on Friday and Saturday nights with live music in the bar on Sunday afternoons. The dining room is a restaurant style and prices and menu compare well to any of the bistros and clubs in the city.


The Elephant Bridge Hotel, Darlington
This elegant bluestone pub was built in the 1860's and possibly one of the best examples of the two storey pubs common in this area. ( The Penshurst and Hexham pubs are quite similar in design)
The pub was renovated in recent years and the rooms upgraded and now provides good quality accommodation for people looking for somewhere different to spend a night

Mickey Bourkes Hotel, Koroit
Established in 1868 the Koroit Hotel has been part of the history of Koroit and one of the best know hotels in the South West. Because of the historical links the local region has with Ireland, Bourkes Hotel is probably the closest thing you will get to a genuine Aussie/Irish Pub, in fact Bourkes was an Irish pub long before it was fashionable.


The Hawkesdale Hotel
The Hawkesdale hotel has recently celebrated its 150th birthday and to quote one of the locals "doesn't look a day over 100" The pub has a cosy well stocked front bar the adjoining dining room caters for about 30 guest. The Hawkesdale hotel still provides accommodation and has
5 room available

Star Of The West Hotel, Port Fairy
Located on the corner of Sackville and Bank Streets, the Star of the West Hotel was completed in 1856 by John Taylor. An impressive and solid basalt building, The Star was used by Cobb & Co up until the late 1890's

Caledonian Inn, Port Fairy
The Stump as it is affectionately known, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously licensed pubs in Australia and dates back to 1843. Still one of Port Fairy's most popular watering holes.

The Panmure Hotel
Although the township of Panmure has decreased in size it still serves a sizeable population of the Western district farming comunity and is quite a busy pub. The pub has a good size bar and dining/ entertainment room and one of a growing number of country pubs that have returned to Saturday night entertainment. The pub serves bar meals ( Lunch and Dinner ) six days a week and there is still accommodation available in the upstairs section of the pub

The Kirkstall Hotel
located about 30kms from Warrnambool on the Hamilton road the Kirkstall pub is one of the smaller pub in this area. The pub is typical of many in regional areas and is a husband and wife operation.

Caledonian Hotel Warrnambool
The Cally is one of Warrnambool's busiest pubs - Pub TAB in the front bar and four pool tables and a few Daytona's in the lounge means that the Cally has fairly diverse range of drinkers ( and punters) and standing room only on Friday and Saturday nights - not known for its counter meals but you can still get a reasonable feed at the Cally

The Royal Hotel Warrnambool

Located opposite the Warrnambool Co-Op, the Royal does good steady business, the family bistro serves restaurant style counter meals at pub prices and you will always find a few locals in the front bar. The Royal also has a PubTAB in the middle bar and possibly best described as a friendly family style pub


The Warrnambool Hotel
Originally one of the cities most impressive buildings , The Ozone Coffe House ( which was burnt down in 1929) and the Warrnambool Hotel was built on the original foundations. Now one of the cities better pubs, with a bit of an English feel to the interior style. The Warrnambool has a separate restaurant section with a good a la carte menu, the same kitchen also provides good quality bar meals. There is also a good selection of local and imported beer and wine

The Criterion Hotel Warrnambool
One of the few real working men's pubs still surviving - good bar trade and a good place to catch a glimpse of a real Aussie country pub. No glitzy decor but the quality of the beer is paramount - possibly best described as a Jimmy Barnes style pub - One of Warrnambool's few remaining live music venues - usually a rock band on Friday and Saturday nights. The Cri also has a wide selection of countermeals on the menu


The Victoria Hotel Warrnambool
Right in the centre of town, the Vic has a diverse clientele, from young backpackers to older regulars. One of those pubs that seems to be something happening from early in the morning to late at night - Friday and Saturday nights are fairly busy - Counter meals run 7 days a week - Beer, food and hospitality are all good

The Whalers Inn, Warrnambool
The hotel dates back to the 1860's and was originally the "Commercial Hotel" and for many years a working mans pub - more recently has been totally refurbished and only the exterior remains unchanged - now a very up market style pub and popular night spot. Gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights and is predominantly 18 -25. Much quieter during the week and early in the evenings on weekends. !






The History of The Australian Pub
to find out more about the history of the humble Aussie pub click the photo below

Planning on Visiting Robe This Summer???

Doubles   $110
Family   $134 (4)

Click the picture for more inform-ation on Robe- town Motor Inn

Robetown Motor Inn
Quality accommodation
Close to beach and centre of Robe
Commission free on-line booking




Apollo Bay  Apollo Bay seems to have become the new "in" place to visit, as seaside towns close to Melbourne become increasingly crowded and very expensive over the summer months.
More people are now looking for a quiet holiday beside the sea and Apollo bay is becoming the destination of choice for International and domestic traveler's alike. If you are looking for accommodation in Apollo Bay then read our Apollo Bay Accommodation Guide

Lake Pertobe
Mini Golf

open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM

close to the beach on Pertobe Road Warrnambool

Port Campbell one travel writer described Port Campbell as a windswept village with one pub and a few take away food places that catered to passing tourists!!
Was he having a bad day or did someone in the town offend him??
To find out more about this historic little coastal township you need to read our Port Campbell / Peterborough accommodation page to find out when and where to stay

 

Robe - a picturesque , historic fishing village with great beaches in the middle of Australia's premier wine growing region. It is a little bit off the beaten track which means that you don't have fight your way through crowds of tourists.
Robe also has great seafood restaurants, lots of local wineries and loads of history - so if you are planning a relaxing spring holiday then visit our Robe Accommodation page

 

Port Fairy a small historic fishing village and one of Victoria's earliest settlements. The town has over 50 historically listed buildings and a lot of the town remains substantially unchanged over the last century
In recent times a lot of "top end of town" investment money has poured in the township creating some up market accommodation that has added to the towns existing motels, B&B's and caravan parks. So to find out where to stay and how much you will pay then you should look at out Port Fairy Accommodation page

 

Fletcher Jones Story
David Fletcher Jones left school before his 13th birthday and worked in a small market garden before enlisting in the army and serving in France during WW1. A shell burst just metres away, left him severely
injured and he was told by army doctors that he would never work again. In spite of his injuries, a scant education and a profound stammer, went on to become the worlds largest clothing manufacturer. Now some 40 years after his passing, the Warrnambool manufacturing facility has gone and factory he built has been sold to a developer - To find out more about this inspirational man then click the photo or the link above