Named after explorer Edward John Eyre, South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is a triangle-shaped area best known for its aquatic activities. Home to Australia’s seafood frontier, the coastline produces world-famous oysters and freshly caught fish served straight from the ocean at a multitude of restaurants along the beautiful coast.
With the Spencer Gulf to the east, the Great Australian Bight to the west, and the Gawler Rangers to the north, this all-encompassing region offers dozens of National Parks, emerging wineries, luxury beachfront accommodation and all the snorkelling, fishing, whale watching and shark cage diving you can handle in one serene setting.
Also Read: The Best Pubs on the Fleurieu Peninsula
And like any good country area, you’ll find a smattering of laidback pubs throughout the Eyre Peninsula where you can enjoy a cold beer and some decent grub after a hard day exploring.
Here are some of the best pubs on the Eyre Peninsula.
Great Northern Hotel
Port Lincoln
A lot of money has been invested in Port Lincoln over the years, turning it from a working-class fishing town to a tourist hotspot sought out for its world-class seafood and aquatic experiences. But some things never change, like the Great Northern Hotel.
One of the Eyre Peninsula’s best pubs, this traditional Aussie pub is frequented by locals and travellers alike, with a spacious bistro, sports bar, pokie area and bottleshop.
Menu wise the Great Northern Hotel has all the classics along with a delightful selection of seafood and daily specials, including Wednesday’s beer and burger deal and $15 roasts on Sunday.
Find out more about the Great Northern Hotel here.
Coffin Bay Hotel Motel
Coffin Bay
Coffin Bay is renowned for its water sports and oyster farming, along with the Coffin Bay Hotel Motel, otherwise known as ‘the Pub in the Scrub’.
Just minutes from the beach and on the edge of the Coffin Bay National Park, this modern hotel has eight beautiful rooms for those looking to book a weekend stay.
While cold beer is expected, it’s the food that surprises. The seafood is caught fresh daily and when it comes to top picks, it’s hard to go past the devilled scallops wrapped in bacon that are deep fried with a hot chilli cream sauce. Yum!
If seafood isn’t your thing, there’s standard pub grub along with lunchtime burgers and rustic pizzas at night.
Find out more about the Coffin Bay Hotel Motel here.
Tumby Bay Hotel
Tumby Bay
Known as the ‘street art capital’ of the Eyre Peninsula, Tumby Bay is a quaint coastal holiday town on the picturesque Spencer Gulf. When it comes to local watering holes, options are limited, with the Tumby Bay Hotel the only pub in town. Thankfully, it’s not a shithole.
Opened in 1904, the pub, affectionately referred to as ‘The Red Roof’, is owned by Joe and Charmaine Cross, who have been involved with the public house for over 30 years.
This is a real community pub, with friendly staff, well-priced food and a modern pergola area that’s always packed. The beer is cold and reasonably priced too, which is all you can ask from a country pub.
Find out more about the Tumby Bay Hotel here.
Cummins Hotel
Cummins
There aren’t a lot of pubs on the Eyre Peninsula, but the few that do thrive in the region are family-friendly hotels serving pub grub with suitable accommodation. Just like the Cummins Hotel.
Whether you plan on staying a few nights or are just stopping in for a quiet froth, the Cummins Hotel has you covered. Facilities include a TAB in the sports bar, gaming area, bottle shop, bistro and even a laundromat.
The standout is the food, with $20 burgers, $17 salad bowls and $16 Mexican dishes on the menu for lunch, and a diverse dinner selection that includes pub classics, pizza and seafood.
Find out more about the Cummins Hotel here.
The Grand Tasman Hotel
Port Lincoln
Arguably the biggest rival to the Great Northern Hotel, this centrally located hotel on Tasman Terrace is another large, family-friendly venue that ticks all the boxes. Whether you’re trying the Gran Tasman’s lunch specials, staying the night in one of the 25 smartly decorated rooms or popping in for a Friday knockoff, the hotel caters to everyone’s needs.
The Gran Tasman prides itself on offering a variety of money-saving deals, with everyday specials including $7 pints of Coopers Pale Ale and $10 Jack Daniel’s and Coke. Try finding booze that cheap in the city.
And if you love a punt, the front bar has TAB, Keno and SA Lotteries facilities and multiple TV screens to catch the big game or race.
Find out more about the Grand Tasman Hotel here.
Streaky Bay Hotel Motel
Streaky Bay
Found on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula, Streaky Bay is another small town popular with vacationers during the summer months. There’s not a lot happening in the town itself, but you can always find someone to chat with at the Streaky Bay Hotel Motel.
Built in 1866 by John Mudge and originally named the Flinders Hotel, the venue has several different areas.
The Jetty Bar is adorned with racing memorabilia (three-time Melbourne Cup winner Kerrin McEvoy hails from there) and features a pool table and dart board, the Anchor Bistro dishes up local seafood and chef specialities, the Pelican Lounge is a small, laidback bar serving craft beer and the outdoor deck is a seated area out front of the hotel views of Blanche Port.
Find out more about the Streaky Bay Hotel Motel here.
Port Neill Hotel
Port Neill
Recently taken over by new owners, the Port Neill Hotel is the only place to get a froth in town. Featuring a wood panel bar, pool table and outside seating area, the pub is a little dated interior-wise, but the beer is cold and the staff are super friendly.
While the only food served currently is simple bar snacks, the new publicans have introduced crowd-pleasing Sunday sessions. Get down for some live music and great drink deals and mingle with the high-spirited locals.
Find out more about the Port Neill Hotel here.
1802 Oyster Bar
Coffin Bay
Not every country pub has to remind you of your dad’s favourite watering hole. 1802 Oyster Bar is a sophisticated, contemporary bar and restaurant with an extensive menu and a large outdoor deck that’s great for getting stuck into half a dozen oysters with a bottle of bubbly and breathing in the fresh ocean air.
Specialising in seafood, the menu includes oysters served ten different ways, tasty bar snacks and main meals. We recommend the seafood experience tasting menu that includes kingfish crudo, barbecued Spencer Gulf prawns, chargrilled giant octopus and wild-caught tuna. Mouth-watering.
Find out more about 1802 Oyster Bar here.
