Historic Riverina pub The Conargo Hotel, a true blue gem much treasured by the locals, burnt to the ground last night in a devastating loss for the community. The inferno took with it a wealth of memorabilia celebrating Conargo’s sheep shearing history and the characters who’ve enjoyed a beer or two at the bar across the decades since it opens its doors in 1859.

The classic Aussie pub will be remembered, however, by the many Conargo Hotel stickers plastered on utes.

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Here’s 10 more hall-of-fame boozers.

Hope & Anchor, Hobart, TAS

Possibly the oldest pub in Australia (though a few others claim this title), Hobart’s iconic Hope & Anchor Hotel first crops up in historical documents around 1807. Initially known as the Hope Inn, stepping inside this local legend is like transporting back in time. Packed full of maritime historical items, it even features an eight-foot Huon Pine-hewed mermaid called Clara. Hello sailors.

The Red Hill Hotel, Chewton, VIC

A true Victorian classic is Chewton’s Red Hill Hotel on the road to Castlemaine, erected during the gold rush circa 1851 and not much has been done to fancy it up since then, and why would you? The beers are always cold, it’s a real locals haunt and expect to see a few of them dancing on the corrugated ironclad bar when bands strike up a tune.

Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel Beechworth, VIC

Located in the heart of Ned Kelly territory, Beechworth’s Commercial Hotel was founded in 1853. The heritage-listed two-storey Victorian has a lacework-adorned verandah up front and a black and white checked tile floor and wooden bar inside, as resplendent as it was the day it opened on the back of gold rush fever.

The Pub With No Beer, Macksville, NSW

You might think it sounds like the least appealing name ever for a pub, but you just don’t know your Aussie cultural history. It’s the name of a humorous poem by North Queenslander Dan Sheahan adapted by Gordon Parson and then covered by none other than that’s Slim Dusty. Thankfully the real deal pub has plenty of the amber nectar on offer here, and even brews its own stuff too.

The Silverton Hotel, Silverton, NSW

The red and yellow brick pub that is The Silverton Hotel may be located in a far western corner of NSW, way past Broken Hill, but it’s an iconic haunt that’s been seen by almost every Aussie, even if they don’t know it personally. Among the countless classic Australian films that have shot on location in and around the pub include Mad Max II, Wake In Fright and The Slim Dusty Movie. Not so Aussie, they also shot scenes for Mission Impossible II here, which goes to show how renowned the joint is. Opened in 1854, it burnt down and was rebuilt in 1918.

Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville, QLD

Parked on the edge of the Simpson Desert, the Birdsville, one of Australia’s most remote pubs, has been slaking thirsts since 1884. If you want to drive out to this legendary outpost of Australian boozer history, it’s about from Brisbane, it’s around 1600km west of Brisbane. Thankfully, you can fly to the tiny airstrip right next door. Don’t expect to get a seat at the bar while the Birdsville Races are on. They started up two years before the pub opened and draw in crowds from all over Australia.

Nindigully Pub, Thallon, QLD

Another contender for the oldest continually licensed title, Thallon’s Nindigully pub opened in 1864, initially operating as shearer’s accommodation and beer provider, of course. Affectionately known as the Gully by the locals, there are almost 150 Akubra hats pinned to the wall, which is just about as Aussie as you can get. Don’t miss the Nindigully Pig Races and Country Music Festival on the last weekend of November.

William Creek Hotel, William Creek, SA

Situated 165kms east of Coober Pedy, the Williams Creek Hotel sits right in the heart of the world’s biggest cattle station, Anna Creek. From one end of the scale to the other, it’s also in Australia’s smallest settlement with only six people and a dog, but it would merciless to deny them, and the many outback tourists who take the Oodnadatta Track, a long cold one.

Ironclad Hotel, Marble Bar, WA

Established in 1892, the ironclad was Marble Bar’s first hotel and it’s retained its corrugated iron façade. The tiny town in the East Pilbara has the reputation of being Australia’s hottest town, regularly topping 38 degrees in the summer, including a record-braking stint in the summer of 1923-24 that ran for 160 consecutive days. When it’s that hot outside, where else would you head to cool down other than an ice-cold beer at the Ironclad?

Humpty Doo Hotel, Arnhem Land, NT

Other than being the best-named pub on the list, the Humpty Doo Hotel in Arnhem Land, a short drive from Darwin, is such an Aussie classic that it gets referenced in Slim Dusty’s ‘Humpty Doo Waltz’ as well as Ted Egan’s ‘The Man from Humpty Doo.’ It is a fact that you can ride your horse right into the pub, which is cue for any number of “so a man walked into a bar” jokes. Don’t forget to check out the Big Boxing Croc while you’re in town too.

What’s your favourite watering hole? Let us know in the comment section below.