Pubs & clubs

When you’re looking for Australia’s oldest pub, where better to look than Australia’s oldest state? New South Wales abounds with old historic buildings, many of them watering holes from the past. There is debate over which one is actually the oldest, so if you want to start a pub brawl, you have your topic!

To take part in another Aussie drinking tradition, you might want to go on a crawl through one of Sydney’s pub districts. Cleveland Street is a popular area, as are Paddington and Woollahra. A place known as The Rocks, situated on a site that was historically patronised by wharfies, is now a popular drinking spot for all types of people. For something with a bit of a quirk, you can follow a flock of bats through east Sydney, as they fly over a string of pubs on their evening journey. If you’re a bit further from the city, outback pubs are a great place to rest after a long day’s travel. Many offer accommodation, but watch out for the ‘hotels’ that are really just a place to drink!

The nightclub scene in Sydney has a style to suit everyone. You can find just about any type of club you’re looking for, from dance and gay clubs to social clubs. For a walk on the wild side, Kings Cross is renowned as Australia’s largest entertainment district. Strictly for adults only, you may want to leave the kids at home.