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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Preguntas frecuentes

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

¿De qué trata el Proyecto Country Pub?

Las tabernas rurales son más que un lugar para disfrutar de una cerveza helada o una habitación para dormir. Estos magníficos edificios antiguos son el corazón de sus comunidades, pero necesitan tu ayuda para sobrevivir. Airbnb se está asociando con taberneros de toda Australia, dándoles una plataforma para ayudar a que sus tabernas y sus ciudades vuelvan a aparecer en la escena. Cinco taberneros seleccionados recibirán un subsidio y ayuda para reactivar su taberna. Por su parte, Airbnb lanzará una campaña para animar a los viajeros a visitar sus ciudades rurales en Australia.

¿Por qué decidió Airbnb trabajar con tabernas?

Los taberneros rurales son los mejores anfitriones. Hospedarse en una habitación de una taberna rural es una forma muy especial de hospitalidad australiana que nos encanta y queremos celebrar.

¿Cualquier taberna en Australia puede solicitar su participación?

Si la taberna cuenta con alojamiento y está ubicado en Australia regional o rural fuera de una ciudad capital, es apta para presentar una solicitud.

¿No compite Airbnb con las tabernas que también ofrecen alojamiento?

Airbnb permite que los viajeros de todo el mundo encuentren diferentes tipos de alojamiento, incluidas las tabernas. Muchos taberneros de Australia ya anuncian sus habitaciones en Airbnb y son anfitriones increíbles. Anunciar sus habitaciones en nuestra plataforma le permite a los taberneros llegar a nuevos huéspedes, lo que a su vez infunde nueva vida a su taberna y ciudad.

¿Por qué hay un enfoque específico en las tabernas rurales o regionales? ¿Por qué no urbanas?

La disminución de la población, la sequía y el turismo bajo en las zonas rurales y regionales de Australia han puesto en peligro a las tabernas locales y sus ciudades. Airbnb quiere colaborar con los gobiernos y los habitantes locales para impulsar un turismo saludable y ayudar a fortalecer sus comunidades.

Además de asociarte con Airbnb, ¿hay algún beneficio adicional?

Airbnb estará promocionando destinos rurales y regionales y animará a los viajeros a visitarlos.

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

No.

¿Cuántas tabernas serán seleccionadas para participar en el Proyecto Country Pub?

Cinco tabernas serán seleccionadas para participar en el Proyecto Country Pub. Cada taberna deberá firmar un acuerdo con Airbnb en el que se establezcan las condiciones del subsidio.

¿Se espera que las tabernas se anuncien en Airbnb si son seleccionados para participar en el Proyecto 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.

¿Puede la gente nominar a su taberna local (es decir, hacerlo en nombre de la taberna)?

Sí, puedes nominar a una taberna aunque no seas el dueño.

¿Cuándo se cierran las aplicaciones?

Las solicitudes cierran el viernes 12 de julio a las 11:59 p. m.

¿Cómo se seleccionarán las cinco tabernas?

Las tabernas se seleccionarán en función de la solidez de la solicitud. Estamos buscando tabernas con grandes historias, pueblos interesantes y heroicos taberneros.

¿Cuándo se notificará a las tabernas seleccionadas?

Las tabernas seleccionadas serán notificadas la semana del 5 de agosto de 2019.

Si mi taberna resulta seleccionada, ¿cuándo tendré que estar disponible para participar en el Proyecto Country Pub?

Tendrás que estar disponible del 1 de agosto al 6 de septiembre de 2019.

What do the selected pubs receive in this project?

Cada una de las cinco tabernas seleccionadas recibirá un subsidio de hasta 50,000 USD para ayudar en su remodelación y revitalización, además del apoyo de un equipo de diseño. Se asociarán con un anfitrión de Airbnb experimentado que los orientará sobre cómo anunciarse en la plataforma. Airbnb ayudará a la ciudad a crear una Experiencia única para atraer viajeros y lanzará una campaña para ayudar a que la taberna y su ciudad vuelvan a aparecer en la escena.

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

A fin de recibir un subsidio, una taberna seleccionada tendría que firmar un acuerdo que establezca los principales términos de colaboración mencionados anteriormente, además de otros términos tales como comunicados de imagen y personalidad (que se darán a conocer en la publicidad del proyecto) y la publicación de los resultados del patrocinio (para la comunicación de la taberna en redes sociales en relación con el proyecto).

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.