Gone Pubbin' Update

If you are a loyal reader, you may remember a certain pub tour of the Australian wheatbelt. The was over a year ago, and I have been to many a pub since then. And I've been to some good ones recently. So I figured it's time for a bit of a pub update. And in case you ever find yourself in Australia, in need of some classic country pub accommodation or just a middy on a hot day, check out PubLocation.

Green stars are pubs I've stayed at, yellow stars are one's I've stopped at, and white stars are those that I remember passing. And all the tiny beer mugs are pubs yet to be seen (or to be missed)

There are 335 pubs in Western Australia listed on pub location. Of those 335, this is the list of pubs by town that I know - you say the name of the town and I can picture it. Either I've stayed there, stopped in and had a beverage, or driven passed and vetoed as it lacked authentic pub-ness, or drove pass without enough time to stop and is on the list to return to someday. Feel free to follow the link and check them out for your nest holiday.

The pubs I've driven past (ok no telling lies, mostly ridden by in the passenger seat) and had no interest in going in:

1. BEVERLEY (2)
2. MERREDIN (3)
3. SPENCERS BROOK (1)
4. WANDERING (1)

Pubs I've gone past, know where it is, and if the opportunity arises, I'd stop in:

1. GREENHILLS (1)
2. KOJONUP (2)
3. MINGENEW (1)
4. MULLEWA (2)
5. PERENJORI (1)
6. RAVENSTHORPE (1)
7. WAGIN (2)

Pubs I've had a bowl of wedges or a cool beverage or broken the rules and ordered a coffee:

1. BALINGUP (1)
2. BROOKTON (2)
3. BRUCE ROCK (1)
4. CHIDLOW (1)
5. CORRIGIN (1)
6. CUBALLING (1)
7. GIBSON (1)
8. GRASS PATCH (1)
9. KALGOORLIE (14)
10. KULIN (1)
11. LAKE GRACE (1)
12. LAKE KING (1)
13. MOUNT HELENA (1)
14. NANNUP (1)
15. NARROGIN (3)
16. PARABURDOO (1)
17. QUAIRADING (1)
18. ROTTNEST ISLAND (1)
19. SALMON GUMS (1)
20. SOUTHERN CROSS (3)
21. TOODYAY (3)
22. WICKEPIN (1)
23. YORK (1)

Pubs I've made the ultimate inspection and stayed over night:

1. ARDATH (1)
2. COOLGARDIE (1) - times 2! And the woman with the mullet opened up just for my parents and I on Good Friday
3. DENMARK (2)
4. DUMBLEYUNG (1)
5. HOPETOUN (1) - it as my first Australian pub, and it happens to be on the beach
6. MOORA (2) - been to both pubs there
7. MOUNT BARKER (2)
8. NORSEMAN (1) - stayed here twice in the corner room
9. PEMBERTON (1)
10. PINGELLY (2) - been to to pubs in this two pub town
11. WAROONA (2)
12. YEALERING (1)

Three of these pubs I have stayed at in the past six months deserve special attention:

Dumbleyung

This town is south east of Perth in the middle of the Wheatbelt.

It is the exact image of an Australia country pub.

It's a bit pricey, but the complimentary chocolate and port in the room and the company of the local farmers (I played pool with a local 10 year old) were beyond worth it. Not too mention one of the best chicken parmigiana I've tasted and a friendly men's shed across the street.

 And if you are up for some sightseeing, you can head out to the hill in the middle of the farm to see Lake Dumbleyung, where they broke the waterspeed record in 1964.

Ardath

Ardath is a one pub town. A town that is a pub. Ardath does not qualify as a town. It's a pub next to the hay silo, east of perth and 20 kilometers south of Bruce Rock. It's owned by Alan, a retired butcher from Perth who moved out here 10 years ago and may drink more behind the bar than he serves. But he makes a mean steak, chips, and salad which he serves to all his patrons boarding house style.

Yealering

Yealering is a one pub town, but unlike Ardath, there's a few houses on the gum lined trees, a post office, and a footy oval. The pub is a classic, but the rooms have been slightly updated (at least painted) by the last owner. The best part about Yealering was the publican. A woman who told us her life story, catered to our every need, and treated us like her own cousins over for a visit.

They care about their children in Yealering (if there are any).

But they do have impressive sports facilities. The pub owner was out for the day with his lawn bowls team. The very best part was the lake. It may have been because it was the magic hour, but I could spend some more time in Yealering.

You may wonder why there is a jetty that doesn't meet the water. Apparently they used to damn a section of the lake so that people could go swimming tie up boats to the jetty. However, now the water is contaminated (but being cleaned), the dam removed, and the jetty stands in the sand.

I think wherever it leads is good enough for me and quiet, pubbin' Saturday night.