6 Queensland Country Pubs, Bars, & Distilleries with Adventures Nearby

Queensland local Alex Mitcheson shares the best adventures where getting an icy cold beer afterward might as well be mandatory.

Is it me, or does every good day out adventuring deserve an icy cold beer to sign things off? If you’re truly off the beaten track – and perhaps doing a multi-day hike carrying all of your gear – then you’ll be forgiven for not agreeing with this ‘ethos’ *cough*.

But for those who find themselves within striking distance of a licensed bar, it can be a great way to slacken off the boots and talk about the day that was. All great adventures end at a pub, right?

Queensland Country is off the beaten track, but there’s a trove of excellent country hotels with unique and alluring adventures nearby.  We’ve hunted down some of the best so you don’t have to.

1. The Lockyer Hotel

Town: Forest Hill

Iconic hikes such as the 3.2km Mount Machar track or 5.2km Christies loop are prime reasons to put the Main Range Conservation Park on your hit list. These short but tough walks will give you every reason to reward yourself with a few drinks at one of the region’s many iconic pubs.

The heritage-listed Lockyer Hotel in Forest Hill fits this bill suitably and is a quintessential Queensland country pub. It even has a great curbside wrap-around balcony for you to sip a well-earned drink and watch the world go by.

Out the back, a removed and leafy garden has more than enough room for you – and a few carfulls of mates, too – it regularly welcomes locals and visitors alike for live music and food events. The seafood platter is perfect for two or sharing between a larger group.

2. Linville Hotel

Town: Linville

Just across the road from the historic railway station and after a recent renovation, the Linville Hotel looks quite the part in this relaxed little corner of Queensland. As the town is part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, cyclists regularly pull in, park up their bikes, wipe off the mud and dust, and take a break before heading on or staying the night nearby.

The Linville section sits between the elevated Benarkin State Forest and the cattle pastures of Moore, meaning the ride can vary depending on which direction you take the 161km trail.

Join the locals in the front bar or head outside to the lush beer garden with multiple spaces to relax, including an undercover deck area – either way, it’s a great way to lose an hour or two. Or better yet, tuck it into some tasty meals like the Tex BBQ Schnitzel, which comes with bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce: a surefire way to replace all those depleted calories.

3. Shackleton’s Whiskey Bar

Town: Bunya Mountains

At around 1000 metres of altitude, surrounded by tall Bunya pines, and chalet-style housing nearby, you might be forgiven for thinking you’ve somehow found your way to the Alps. You haven’t; you’re in the Booburrgan Ngmmunge/Bunya Mountains National Park, where you’ll discover some of the state’s highest trails and bike tracks.

Between Tolkienesque forest walks and dazzling lookouts – like the Koondaii Lookout – there are plenty of options for all skill levels close to one another.

The dimly-lit dark wooden interior and booth seating give Shackleton’s Whisky Bar a homely and welcoming atmosphere, even in the warmer months. As the name suggests, the highlight here is whisky and whiskey – with over 100 different offerings, it’s a brilliantly sizeable collection.

If you’re not usually a whisky fan but still want to give some a try, then the Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition makes use of Ireland’s tendency to triple distil and also matures it in ex-stout casks, giving the spirit a characteristically smooth and toasty flavour. Perfect beside the fire after a winter afternoon’s hike.

4. Pechey’s Distilling Co.

Town: Crows Nest

The Pechey family have been in the Crows Nest Valley for seven generations, settling in the area with a sawmill business over 150 years ago. Today, besides their original homestead, they’ve lovingly created one of the country’s best hidden-in-plain-sight artisanal distilleries.

Make your way up the winding drive, and you’ll find the adorable small venue among lemon myrtle and cumquat trees – plants that are used in the very spirits you can try and buy, no less. Pechey’s offers several gins and vodkas, meaning you have plenty of choices, but it must be said the 1868 Vodka with ginger beer, and lime does make a fantastic Moscow Mule.

If pristine rock pools and easy-going bush trails are your thing, look no further than Crows Nest National Park, about 11 kilometres away.

The Koonin Lookout gives an unmatched view of the gorge colloquially known as the Valley of Diamonds, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might see a Brush-tailed Rock wallaby or even a platypus.

5. Queensland Hotel

Town: Goondiwindi

After taking in the many art installations and wandering Bowen Lane, you’ll likely be ready to reward your efforts with an icy cold beer at the Queensland Hotel in Goondiwindi.

An integral part of the makeup of such a remote town, the pub has a separate bar, garden, and dining room for whatever mood you find yourself in. This is no ordinary country pub though, and no way is this better reflected in their food menu. Want our advice? It’s all superb, but the pork san choy bow might just take it.

About an hour’s drive east, you’ll come across Coolmunda Dam, a serene stretch of water with an adjoining campsite and boat ramp. If you’re a keen angler you should drop a line, you could quickly find yourself hooking into some Golden perch or Murray cod!

6. Killarney Hotel

Town: Killarney

Queen Mary Falls has to be one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets – and it’s also easily within striking distance of the coast. After watching Spring Creek crash over the 40m drop to the valley floor and make your way around the entire circuit, you’ll likely be ready to grab a bite, a drink, or both!

Killarney Hotel exudes warmth and a friendly character from the moment you drive into town. And it doesn’t slow up one inch at the Killarney Hotel, either. The classic Queenslander-style building sits streetside, surrounded by trees, and has one of those decks where afternoons can melt away all too easily.

Inside are nostalgic trinkets and pictures from yesteryear with an eye-catching lunch and dinner menu vying for your attention. Still feeling adventurous? Go for the calamari caesar salad; it’s delicious.

Photos thanks to @riancope