FIVE SMALL-TOWN HOTELS YOU HAVE TO VISIT

THE SIR GEORGE, JUGIONG, NSW

Having originally been built in 1845 before being washed away by the flood waters of the Murrumbidgee River and then rebuilt in 1852,The Sir George in Jugiong knows a thing or two about reinvention. After two years’ worth of renovations, the pub reopened in 2016 boasting a road-trip worthy restaurant, boutique accommodation, an artisan bakery, convivial bar and plenty of buzz. sirgeorge.com.au

THE LOADED DOG HOTEL, TARAGO, NSW

Located 69 kilometres from Canberra in the town of Tarago and named for Henry Lawson’s celebrated story, The Loaded Dog (built in 1848) has earned a reputation for its live country music gigs staged on the third Saturday of the month, with a parade of big names appearing over the years. loadeddoghotel.com

THE FAMILY HOTEL, TIBOOBURRA, QLD

Located in Corner Country (where the states of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia meet), The Family Hotel was built in 1882 but was put on the map in the 1960s when ar tists including Clifton Pugh and Russell Drysdale visited to paint the surrounding outback scenes and left works of art on the walls of the pub.tibooburra.com.au/the-family-hotel

NINDIGULLY PUB, THALLON, QLD

Sitting on the banks of the Moonie River in the town of Thallon, official population nine, the Nindigully Pub was issued a licence in 1864, making it the oldest continuously licensed pub in Queensland. Today it attracts visitors with its enormous Road Train burgers (they feed four) and the 140 or so Akubras that adorn the walls, donated by patrons over the years. nindigullypub.com

THE COMMERCIAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL, TENTERFIELD, NSW

This imposing Art Deco gem sits in pride of place in the New England town of Tenterfield; it was originally built in 1856 before being demolished in the 1930s and rebuilt in the style of the day in the 1940s. It now offers up a restaurant, cafe and bar, as well as eight luxuriously appointed rooms. thecommercialboutiquehotel.com