Every old pub holds a story worth telling
Oak & Ale uncovers the stories of Australia’s historic pubs, the publicans, and the communities they shaped.
The Oak & Ale Collection
From the Journal
Stories of remarkable Australian pubs, publicans and communities
Journal Entry No. 001
James Rixon – Publican
Eden & Bega . New South Wales
Journal Entry No. 002
The Crown Hotel
Cairns . Queensland
Journal Entry No. 003
The George & Dragon Inn
East Maitland . New South Wales
A country pub was never simply a place to drink. It was a meeting place, a traveller’s refuge, a workplace, a home, and also the heart of the town.
Why Oak & Ale?
Inspired by Family History
Oak & Ale began with a discovery in my own family tree. While researching my ancestors, I found that several of them and their siblings had been publicans throughout Australia in the 1800s. Suddenly, they weren’t all random names and dates, but fascinating stories of the people in my family who helped build a community in the pioneering towns where they opened their doors to welcome all. That curiosity led to the creation of Oak & Ale, a way to uncover and retell the stories of Australia’s historic pubs and the people behind them.
Bring Your History to life
For Hotels
Transforming research on the people, events and stories behind your hotel into compelling stories for your guests, website, displays and marketing.
For Families
Discover stories about the hotels your ancestors ran and the community they lived in.