The Great Country Pub Crawl of Central Otago

Waipiata’s one-and-only pub attracts many travellers after a comfy bed, friendly southern hospitality, and a bite of their famous half-kilo pies. This historic Central Otago pub was founded in 1899 and continues to be a lively destination since Mark and Nikki Button took over in 2015 and transformed it into the home of the Waipiata Pie Company. Positioned along the Rail Trail, it’s an alluring stop for cyclists and travellers who are keen to dig into one of their handcrafted pastry delights, with a long list of flavours ranging from the original lamb shank all the way to eggplant bolognese for the vegan visitors.

Located above the dazzling Blue Lake in St Bathans, the Vulcan Hotel is part of the petite town’s historic streetscape, steeped in rich gold mining history. In summer, the beer garden comes alive with friends enjoying cold pints after a dip in the lake and lots of happy tail-wagging guests enjoying the sunshine too. As winter arrives, Sunday Roasts hit the menu and visitors escape inside to warm up by the fire with a cosy tartan blanket. For the full experience, grab a pint of ‘Rose’s Ghostly Pale’ named after the resident ghost – or book a night’s stay in room 1 for a chance encounter.

While only a 15-minute picturesque drive from Naseby, Danseys Pass Hotel feels worlds away from everyday life. Another long-lived establishment, the hotel has been providing a place to eat, drink and sleep since 1862. The seasonal menu offers all of your favourite comforting classics, with a commitment to using local ingredients such as Provenance Lamb, ethically raised and bio-farmed just up the road. Enjoy a drink from the quirky outdoor bar in summer or toast marshmallows with friends and family by the colossal fireplace in winter. If there’s vacancy, we recommend staying the night in one of the traditional yet elegant cottage-style rooms with cute patterned bathroom tiles and whimsical wallpaper.

Come for a cold pint, stay for the cheeky company of the three pub donkeys: Pablo, Benjamin Button and Henry. Situated on the roadside between Alexandra and Omakau, Chatto Creek’s days as a pub go way back to the horse-and-carriage era. The Rail Trail runs straight through the site, so it’s unsurprising many cyclists find themselves taking a well-earned break on a sunny picnic table in the large garden area. As well as braying donkeys, the outdoor space is home to lots of characters, from Harriet the bronze hippo to Gerry the wooden giraffe, as well as a playground and endless toys to keep the little ones entertained.

On the turnoff into Ophir, Blacks Hotel has endured as a beloved gathering spot since 1870 (though with a few relocations and rebuilds in between). Now looked after by Saskia and Chris Trembath – along with Daisy the pub pug – the hotel offers ten lovely rooms that open out into a beautiful garden area that blooms with blossom trees and lavender in spring and summer. Inside, a double-sided brick fireplace keeps the chill off while guests toast over pints of Emerson’s and tuck into rustic homemade dishes – featuring ample helpings of mash and gravy.

Standing for over 150 years, this cherished Naseby drinking hole is one of the oldest original pubs in Aotearoa. While you sip a cold local beer or wine and wait for your food order, we recommend taking a moment to wander around inside and soak up over a century’s worth of stories told through the historic photos on the walls. While we can never say no to a bowl of fries, it must be said that the Royal Hotel has stepped up their culinary game since 1863, with elevated dishes that showcase fresh local produce with a few international twists. When the sun shines, there’s no better place to park up than the outdoor tables offering views of the famous town centre and its quaint buildings from bygone days.

The Victoria Hotel, established in 1863 and later renamed Victoria Arms Hotel in the 1960s, has a rich history in Cromwell. At the turn of the century, the building was remodelled but remnants of the beautiful original stonework can still be spotted throughout. There’s nothing fancy about this place – after all, isn’t that the appeal of good country pubs? Instead, the team relies on their friendly atmosphere and menu of honest, hearty favourites to draw in the crowds. The restaurant tables overlook the spectacular Lake Dunstan, adding another layer of enjoyment to your classic fish and chips or delicious burger. One of the bar snacks is also named after “George”, another resident ghost that may not have been recently sighted, but his presence is certainly felt in the unexplained incidents shared by many locals.