Cheers, mate: where to find Australia's best pub feeds and draught beers

From the most delicious pub grub to the best draught beer, the Australian Hotels Association has released its annual list of the best watering holes in Australia.

South Australia was the big winner of the association's 2024 awards, with the state taking out the Overall Hotel of the Year awards in both the regional and metropolitan categories.

Set in the heart of one of Australia's most picturesque wine regions, McLaren Vale Hotel won the overall award in the regional category.

McLaren Vale's only pub won the award after an extensive redevelopment project.

Palmer Hospitality Group Managing Director Martin Palmer said the group had wanted to redevelop the pub into a space that served everyone in the area, from wine executives to tourists, tradespeople and workers from the vineyards.

"Everybody mixes in. It's the great leveller, and of course, that's what pubs should be," he said.

The renovation focused on considerably revamping the hotel's dining space, restoring some of its historic charm, and capitalising on the stunning surroundings of the wine region.

"The pub dates back to about 1850, so we probably pulled back 100 years of plaster, back to all the old stone and timber," Mr Palmer said.

"It's [the hotel] got a beautiful aspect over the historic Tintara Winery with a lot of kind of old European trees and just beautiful grounds.

"We really enhanced our presence around that by extending the veranda area."

The award came off the back of numerous state awards in the regional category, including Best Hotel, Best Bar Presentation and Best Redeveloped Hotel.

Adelaide's Arkaba Hotel took out the best overall hotel in the metropolitan category.

Tasmania's The Tasman won best overall hotel accommodation, and Northern Territory watering hole Dundee Beach Tavern won best overall hotel in the remote category.

So, who were some of the other big winners?

These four establishments won best restaurant awards in the metropolitan, regional, mid-range, superior and deluxe accommodation categories, respectively.

Those who prefer a bistro-style feed may want to try Victoria's Royal Hotel or the Duke of Dural in NSW, which won the metro and regional awards in the best bistro category.

Tasmania's Beach Hotel won the best draught beer quality award, while Queensland's Osbourne Hotel won the best entertainment venue.