Pubs from rural and regional NSW are in the running for some of the biggest awards at next week’s AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.
On top of the blue-ribbon awards like Regional Hotel of the Year and Best Bush Pub, hotels from outside Sydney are punching well above their weight in the finalist lists of almost every category.
Country pubs are dominant in the food awards; with six hotels in line for Best Steak, 13 finalists for Best Burger and ten finalists for Best Parmi. An amazing 14 are vying to be crowned Best Steak Sandwich, including four different Wagga Wagga hotels.
The Heart of the Community Awards finalists include seven regional pubs and eight of the Best Draught Beer Quality finalists are from outside Sydney.
The pubs in the running for the sought-after Regional Hotel of the Year include; Balldale Hotel, Bull & Bush Hotel in Medowie, Coramba Hotel, Country Club Hotel Tooleybuc, Lake George Hotel in Bungendore, Lakeview Hotel Motel in Oak Flats, North Nowra Tavern, Railway Hotel in Temora, Settlers Inn Hotel in Port Macquarie, Sutton Forest Inn, The Bradford Hotel in Rutherford, The Lucky Hotel in Newcastle and The Oxford Bathurst.
The finalists for Best Bush Pub are; Balldale Hotel, for a third time, Cooyal Hotel, Country Club Hotel Tooleybuc, Nerriga Hotel, Peel Inn in Nundle, The Pub With No Beer in Taylors Arm, Tibooburra Hotel, and last years’ winner White Cliffs Hotel.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said pubs play a special role in regional NSW and are known for their great hospitality.
“Pubs in regional and rural NSW hold a special place in country life which goes well beyond just serving good food and drinks – they offer venues that are second to none,” he said.
“I wish all the finalists the best of luck next week.”
This year’s awards had a record-breaking 881 entries, across 47 categories.
The winners will be named at a gala ceremony this Tuesday, 28 October 2025 at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
A full list of finalists for this year’s AHA NSW Awards for Excellence can be found at www.ahaawardsnsw.com.au
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