Pubs have always played a vital role in country communities. The hospitality they offer is second to none. But declining populations and waning tourism have put country pubs under threat. They need more guests—and we know plenty of them.

That’s why we’ve partnered with rural communities to return 5 of Australia’s favourite pubs, and most-loved publicans, back to their former glory.

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Meet the winners

The Country Pub Project received over 9000 nominations. With so many moving stories about much loved local pubs, we found it impossible to choose just five winners. So we added a sixth. Offering accommodation and already oozing charm, these six country pubs are about to receive some much needed TLC—and a whole lot more guests.

Ravenswood, QLD
Imperial Hotel
Ravenswood was a ghost town when Diane and John took over the Imperial Hotel some 20 years ago. They may be the town’s good luck charm though, as gold was discovered just a few months later. The pub—and the town—have been kicking ever since.
Toora, VIC
The Royal Standard Hotel
When the Toora Magpies hit a rough patch the past few seasons, publicans Amy and Steve painted the Royal Standard in the team’s colours to show their support. They know how much everyone loves their pub, so they give as much love back to the community in return.
Waratah, TAS
Bischoff Hotel
A few years ago, Paul and Liz went on a family holiday to Waratah. It was here that they came across the Bischoff Hotel, and fell in love at first sight. So much so, they decided to buy it.
Ravenswood, QLD
Imperial Hotel
Ravenswood was a ghost town when Diane and John took over the Imperial Hotel some 20 years ago. They may be the town’s good luck charm though, as gold was discovered just a few months later. The pub—and the town—have been kicking ever since.
Toora, VIC
The Royal Standard Hotel
When the Toora Magpies hit a rough patch the past few seasons, publicans Amy and Steve painted the Royal Standard in the team’s colours to show their support. They know how much everyone loves their pub, so they give as much love back to the community in return.
Waratah, TAS
Bischoff Hotel
A few years ago, Paul and Liz went on a family holiday to Waratah. It was here that they came across the Bischoff Hotel, and fell in love at first sight. So much so, they decided to buy it.
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Help that's here to stay

For country pubs to keep the beer flowing and their towns thriving well into the future, it’ll take ongoing support from the community too. Your community, and ours. Here’s how each of us can play our part.

STAGE ONE

We found our pubs

We scoured Australia for country pubs that were in need of a little TLC—and a whole lot more guests. While we originally planned for five winners, we were so moved by the number of nominations and touching stories that we eventually settled on six.
STAGE ONE

We found our pubs

We scoured Australia for country pubs that were in need of a little TLC—and a whole lot more guests. While we originally planned for five winners, we were so moved by the number of nominations and touching stories that we eventually settled on six.
STAGE TWO

We’re lending a hand

Each of the six pubs have been allocated a grant of $50,000 along with a team of design professionals, and each publican has been paired with a host to help them list on Airbnb.
STAGE TWO

We’re lending a hand

Each of the six pubs have been allocated a grant of $50,000 along with a team of design professionals, and each publican has been paired with a host to help them list on Airbnb.
STAGE THREE

We spread the word

From now on, we’ll be encouraging the Airbnb community to venture off the beaten track and stay in a room at a country pub. Because with every visit to small town Australia, we know travellers will gain something in return—a reminder of the joy of slowing down and finding the time to do not much at all.
STAGE THREE

We spread the word

From now on, we’ll be encouraging the Airbnb community to venture off the beaten track and stay in a room at a country pub. Because with every visit to small town Australia, we know travellers will gain something in return—a reminder of the joy of slowing down and finding the time to do not much at all.

For more details of how this will work, please read our FAQs below.

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Meet the community

As more Australians start to rediscover their own backyard, we hope they’ll reconnect with each other as well. Because bringing people together is what country publicans are all about. And what Airbnb does best.

Pub goer
Ron
Ron's been sinking schooners at the Royal since way back in 1954. Decades have passed, but not much has changed—apart from the fact he’s now the mayor and gets around in a brand new Mustang.
Pub goer
Wayne
Wayne, the local carpenter, has kept much of Sofala standing. He even takes it upon himself to prop up the bar. A master of the bush oven, Wayne’s whole roast lamb and hot beef rolls go perfectly with a nice cold beer.
Pub goer
Dan
He may live a little out of Sofala, but everyone knows Dan by name. Might have something to do with him being a plumber, and at this time of year the pipes freeze over in almost every building around town.
Pub goer
Sandra
Sandra’s from Sydney originally, but no one holds that against her. After selling the nearby general store, she now does the odd shift at the Royal. She pours beer as well as she drinks it, and she loves to have a good yak.
Pub goer
Ron
Ron's been sinking schooners at the Royal since way back in 1954. Decades have passed, but not much has changed—apart from the fact he’s now the mayor and gets around in a brand new Mustang.
Pub goer
Wayne
Wayne, the local carpenter, has kept much of Sofala standing. He even takes it upon himself to prop up the bar. A master of the bush oven, Wayne’s whole roast lamb and hot beef rolls go perfectly with a nice cold beer.
Pub goer
Dan
He may live a little out of Sofala, but everyone knows Dan by name. Might have something to do with him being a plumber, and at this time of year the pipes freeze over in almost every building around town.
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Questions fréquentes

Got questions about The Country Pub Project? We might just have the answers.

En quoi consiste le projet « The Country Pub » ?

Les pubs ruraux ne sont pas seulement des endroits pour boire une bière fraîche ou réserver une chambre pour la nuit. Ces grands bâtiments anciens sont surtout le cœur de leur communauté, mais ils ont besoin de votre aide pour survivre. Airbnb s'est associé avec des gérants de pubs à travers l'Australie, leur offrant une plate-forme pour aider à faire connaître leurs pubs et leurs villes. Cinq gérants de pubs sélectionnés recevront chacun une subvention et de l'aide pour relancer leur pub, et Airbnb lancera une campagne pour encourager les voyageurs à visiter les villes rurales d'Australie.

Pourquoi Airbnb a-t-il choisi de travailler avec des pubs ?

Les gérants de pubs ruraux sont des hôtes exceptionnels et séjourner dans une chambre au-dessus d'un pub rural est une forme d'hospitalité australienne unique que nous adorons et que nous souhaitons célébrer.

Est-ce que tous les pubs australiens peuvent proposer leur candidature ?

Si le pub dispose d'un hébergement et est situé en Australie régionale/rurale à l'extérieur d'une capitale, il est éligible pour proposer sa candidature.

Airbnb n'est-il pas en compétition avec les pubs qui proposent également un hébergement ?

Airbnb permet aux voyageurs du monde entier de trouver différents types d'hébergement, y compris des pubs. De nombreux gérants de pubs australiens publient déjà leurs chambres sur Airbnb et sont des hôtes fantastiques. Le fait de publier des annonces sur notre plate-forme permet aux gérants de pubs de recevoir davantage de voyageurs, ce qui insuffle une nouvelle vie à leurs pubs et à leurs villes.

Pourquoi accorde-t-on une attention particulière aux pubs ruraux/régionaux ? Pourquoi pas les pubs urbains ?

Le déclin démographique et touristique ainsi que la sécheresse en Australie rurale et régionale ont mis en péril les pubs de campagne et leurs villes. Airbnb souhaite travailler avec les gouvernements et les populations locales pour promouvoir un tourisme sain et contribuer à renforcer les communautés.

Au-delà du partenariat avec Airbnb, y a-t-il d'autres avantages ?

Airbnb fera la promotion des destinations rurales/régionales et encouragera les voyageurs à les visiter.

Do pubs have to be listed on Airbnb in order to be eligible?

Non.

Combien de pubs seront sélectionnés pour participer au projet « The Country Pub » ?

Cinq pubs seront sélectionnés pour participer au projet « The Country Pub ». Chaque pub devra signer un accord avec Airbnb énonçant les conditions de la subvention.

Les pubs devront-ils publier leur annonce sur Airbnb s'ils sont sélectionnés pour participer au projet « The Country Pub » ?

Yes, the five selected pubs that receive the grant will need to list on Airbnb as part of the project. More details will be set out in the agreement which each of the five selected pubs will be required to sign with Airbnb.

Peut-on proposer son pub local (c.-à-d. faire une candidature à sa place) ?

Oui, vous pouvez nominer un pub même si vous n'en êtes pas le propriétaire.

Quand les candidatures fermeront-elles ?

Fermeture des candidatures le vendredi 12 juillet à 23 h 59.

Comment seront sélectionnés les cinq pubs ?

Les pubs seront sélectionnés en fonction de leurs candidatures. Nous recherchons des pubs avec de belles histoires, des villes intéressantes et des gérants exceptionnels.

Quand les pubs sélectionnés en seront-ils notifiés ?

Les pubs sélectionnés seront notifiés au début de la semaine du 5 août 2019.

Si mon pub est sélectionné, quand devrai-je être disponible pour participer au projet « The Country Pub » ?

Vous devrez être disponible du 1er août au 6 septembre 2019.

What do the selected pubs receive in this project?

Chacun des cinq pubs sélectionnés recevra une subvention allant jusqu'à 50 000 $ ainsi que l'aide d'une équipe de décoration d'intérieur pour aider à revitaliser et à rénover le lieu. Un hôte Airbnb expérimenté aidera également les propriétaires à publier leur annonce sur la plate-forme. Airbnb aidera la ville à créer une expérience unique pour attirer les voyageurs et lancera une campagne pour aider à faire connaître le pub ainsi que sa ville.

What do selected pubs need to do in order to receive the grant?

Pour recevoir une subvention, les pubs sélectionnés devront conclure un accord énonçant les principales conditions de collaboration énoncées ci-dessus, ainsi que d'autres conditions telles que les communiqués d'image et de personnalité (qui seront présentés dans la publicité pour le projet) et les divulgations de sponsoring (pour les communications sur les réseaux sociaux du pub relatives au projet).

Do selected pubs have to spend the money on specific things? How will spending be monitored?

A grant of up to $50,000 will be allocated to the renovation and revival of each pub. Airbnb will work with the publican to determine how to use these funds. The grant will be utilised towards expenses incurred for the revival and renovation works, which have been agreed between the pub and Airbnb.

Are the selected pubs given a lump sum?

No. The grant can only be utilised towards expenses incurred by the pub for its revival and renovation works, which have been agreed between the pub and Airbnb (up to a maximum of $50,000).

My pub wasn’t selected, is there another opportunity for me to be involved?

Yes, we will be in touch with all applicants with further information.