The Australian pub continues to be an important landmark in almost every town and city, the beating heart of a community and a place for friends and families to meet to share news and tell their stories. They offer the weary traveller the chance to rest a while, to meet the locals and to really get to know a town from the inside. Historic pubs not only occupy some of Australia's most beautifully restored buildings but, thanks to our ongoing love affair with good tucker, also offer some of the best eating experiences available.

While researching stories for Great Australian Pubs , Lee Mylne propped herself up at bars all over Australia and settled in for a chat. Lee learned more about the places she visited by talking to the locals than she could ever have done by reading guidebooks or visiting tourist centres.

Great Australian Pubs captures the essence of this iconic Australian institution through fascinating historical tales, stories about their owners and a range of photographs. The book features 100 pubs across the nation – iconic venues and lesser known gems in every state and territory – and gives you Lee's hard-earned insights into each pub's history, food, beer and wine and accommodation options. It's not just a great gift for the armchair traveller, but also a practical handbook you can take with you on your own personal pub pilgrimage.

Available at all good bookshops or order online through Explore Australia