Great Western Hotel

xThe Great Western Hotel was founded at the same time as its namesake town, back in the 1800s. It’s still open and kicking today, drawing in locals and tourists alike – thanks to its historic charm, quintessential pub meals, spacious beer garden, and handy location on the highway.

The pub’s current iteration has remained largely unchanged since the 1930s, with the classic facade, rooflines, verandah and timber-clad interiors left untouched. Inside you’ll find premiership photos and historic images from the turn-of-the-century, and a window studded with a rare selection of champagne bottles of every size.

The current owners are focused on using the pub as a platform for showcasing the best from the region’s growers, producers and winemakers. That’s reflected prominently on the menu, where you’ll find a long list of parmas (that come in full or half serves), joined by classic pub grub such as burgers and steaks. Fancier dishes include a crispy-skinned duck Cumberland, a venison pie, and a Moroccan-style vegan curry with cauliflower, sweet potato, sultanas, pine nuts and peas.

A who’s who of Grampians-based vineyards stack the wine list. Local pours such as Seppelt, Best’s Great Western, Grampians Estate and AT Richardson are joined by Kimbarra, Halls Gap Estate and Sub Rosa. And there’s plenty more where that came from.