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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Tanya jawab umum

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

Apa itu The Country Pub Project?

Pub pedesaan bukan sekadar tempat untuk minum bir dingin atau kamar untuk bermalam. Bangunan tua mempesona ini adalah jantung komunitas, namun membutuhkan bantuan Anda agar dapat bertahan. Airbnb bermitra dengan pengusaha pub di seluruh Australia, memberi mereka platform untuk membantu membangun kembali keberadaan pub dan kotanya di peta. Lima pengusaha pub terpilih masing-masing akan menerima hibah dan bantuan untuk menghidupkan kembali pub mereka, dan Airbnb akan meluncurkan kampanye untuk memikat wisatawan mengunjungi kota-kota mereka di pedesaan Australia.

Mengapa Airbnb memilih bekerja sama dengan pub?

Pengusaha pub pedesaan adalah tuan rumah yang luar biasa, dan menginap di kamar di atas pub pedesaan adalah bentuk akomodasi unik Australia yang sangat kami sukai dan kami banggakan.

Apakah setiap pub di Australia boleh mengajukan aplikasi untuk turut serta?

Jika pub menyediakan akomodasi dan berlokasi di pedesaan/kawasan Australia di luar ibu kota, pub itu memenuhi syarat untuk mengajukan aplikasi.

Bukankah Airbnb bersaing dengan pub yang juga menyediakan akomodasi?

Airbnb memungkinkan tamu dari seluruh penjuru dunia menemukan berbagai macam akomodasi, termasuk pub. Banyak pengusaha pub di sekitar Australia yang sudah mendaftarkan kamar mereka di Airbnb dan menjadi tuan rumah yang luar biasa. Mengiklankan kamar di platform kami memungkinkan pengusaha pub menjangkau tamu baru, yang akan memberi kehidupan baru ke pub dan kota mereka.

Mengapa ada fokus khusus pada pub pedesaan/regional - mengapa tidak di perkotaan?

Penurunan populasi, kekeringan, dan lesunya pariwisata di pedesaan dan kawasan Australia telah mengancam keberadaan pub pedesaan dan kota-kota kecil. Airbnb ingin bekerja sama dengan pemerintah dan warga lokal untuk mendorong pariwisata yang sehat dan membantu memperkuat komunitas.

Selain bermitra dengan Airbnb, apakah ada manfaat tambahan?

Airbnb akan mempromosikan destinasi pedesaan/regional dan mengajak tamu untuk berkunjung.

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

Tidak.

Berapa banyak pub yang akan dipilih untuk berpartisipasi dalam The Country Pub Project?

Lima pub akan dipilih untuk berpartisipasi dalam The Country Pub Project. Setiap pub akan diwajibkan menandatangani perjanjian bersama Airbnb, yang menetapkan ketentuan hibah.

Apakah pub akan diminta untuk mengiklankan di Airbnb jika terpilih untuk berpartisipasi dalam The Country Pub Project?

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.

Dapatkah orang menominasikan pub lokal di tempat mereka (yaitu mewakili pub)?

Ya, Anda dapat menominasikan sebuah pub meski Anda bukan pemiliknya.

Kapan aplikasi ditutup?

Aplikasi ditutup pada Jumat, 12 Juli pukul 23.59.

Bagaimana lima pub akan dipilih?

Pub akan dipilih berdasarkan keunggulan aplikasi. Kami mencari pub yang menawarkan kisah hebat, kota menarik, dan pengusaha pub yang menginspirasi.

Kapan pub yang dipilih akan menerima pemberitahuan?

Pub yang dipilih akan menerima pemberitahuan pada pekan yang dimulai tanggal 5 Agustus 2019.

Jika pub saya dipilih, kapan saya harus tersedia untuk berpartisipasi dalam The Country Pub Project?

Anda harus tersedia mulai tanggal 1 Agustus hingga 6 September 2019.

What do the selected pubs receive in this project?

Masing-masing dari lima pub terpilih akan menerima hibah senilai hingga $50.000 untuk membantu merevitalisasi dan merenovasi pub, serta bantuan tim desain. Setiap pub akan dipasangkan dengan Tuan Rumah Airbnb berpengalaman yang akan memandu mengiklankan di platform. Airbnb akan mendukung kota untuk menciptakan Pengalaman yang unik guna menarik tamu, dan meluncurkan kampanye untuk membantu membangun kembali keberadaan pub dan kotanya di peta.

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

Untuk menerima hibah, pub terpilih akan diwajibkan untuk membuat kesepakatan yang mengatur ketentuan kolaborasi utama yang disebutkan di atas, dan ketentuan lain, seperti rilis gambar dan tokoh (untuk ditampilkan dalam publikasi proyek) dan pengungkapan sponsor (untuk komunikasi media sosial pub yang terkait dengan proyek).

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.