The Australian Heritage Hotel

This is truly Sydney’s greatest pub – a no fuss, laidback place where the beer and the chat is king. You’ll meet everyone from devoted locals to overseas converts and puffed out Bridge Climbers. There’s more to this 95-year- old pub than the Dundee-esque cavalcade of kangaroo, crocodile or emu pizza – it’s got some of the richest history, and best the outdoor seating in Sydney.

A champion of the Aussie micro-brewing industry and host of an annual beer festival, The Australian boasts eight local brews on tap as well as plenty by the bottle (Fish Rock, Byron Bay Ale, Pigs Fly and Redoak) and if you’re lucky you might even find yourself a new favourite.

Try pearlers such as Beez Neez and Little Creatures from Fremantle’s Matilda Bay Brewery or one of Sydney's finest brews, Scharer’s. Not had the pleasure of drinking it? This incredibly fragrant beer tastes a lot like a bunch of honey bees drowned in your schooner glass and hails from the picturesque town of Picton, on the outskirts of Sydney.

But it ain't all beer and skittles here. The Australian packs a wine list too, with lots of Aussie drops by the glass.

You can’t miss this hotel if you’re walking through the Rocks – it stands out like a shining yellow beacon on the Sydney skyline and there are always punters sitting outside with beers and pizza, shooting the breeze that comes curling off the harbour, soft and salty yet sweet. We’re also fans of taking down a Scrabble set for a bit of boozy al fresco board game playing – nerdy, but cool. An essential stop off on any Rocks pub crawl and the best place to drink a beer in the area, there's nowhere we’d rather be on a sunny weekend arvo.