For a town of roughly 1,100 people, Yackandandah has an outsized pub scene — two historic hotels that have anchored High Street for generations. In 2025, both are buzzing again after the Yackandandah Hotel reopened under new local ownership, joining the long-running Star Hotel. This guide compares the two venues on atmosphere, food, accommodation, and live events so you can decide which suits your visit.
Last checked: 2026-08-21
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Town: Yackandandah, Victoria, Australia · Population: Approximately 1,100 · Number of pubs: Two historic pubs · Recent milestone: Yackandandah Hotel reopened in August 2025 by four local mates
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-08-21.
Sources reviewed: official hotel websites, TripAdvisor reviews, local tourism authority pages (Visit Victoria, Explore Yackandandah), regional accommodation guides, real estate listings, festival website, heritage streetscapes directory.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification were conducted. Build-year claims for the Yackandandah Hotel vary between sources; we note both dates below.
Yackandandah pubs at a glance
- Yackandandah, Victoria, Australia — a historic gold-rush town on the edge of the Kiewa Valley (Visit Victoria)
- The Yackandandah Hotel (Bottom Pub, 1 High St) and the Star Hotel (Top Pub, 30 High St) — both on the main street (TripAdvisor, Commercial Real Estate)
- 2025 estimate — enough residents to keep two independent pubs operating (Visit Victoria)
- Yackandandah Hotel reopened in December 2024 by four local mates after closing in late 2024 (Yackandandah Hotel)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Town | Yackandandah, Victoria, Australia |
| Population | Approximately 1,100 |
| Number of pubs | Two historic pubs |
| Recent milestone | Yackandandah Hotel reopened in December 2024 by four local mates |
What are the best pubs in Yackandandah?
Both the Yackandandah Hotel (often called the Bottom Pub) and the Star Hotel (the Top Pub) sit on High Street, just a few hundred metres apart. The Yack Hotel reopened in 2025 after a brief closure, while the Star Hotel — built in 1863 by James Cardwell — has operated continuously under current owners Matt and Kim Frauenfelder since April 2016 (Explore Yackandandah; Alpine Valley Getaways).
Yackandandah Hotel (The Yack Hotel)
Located at 1 High St, the Yack Hotel is a small independent hotel with 7 rooms and a TripAdvisor rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 25 reviews. Its official website describes a main bar, dining room, a large sunny beer garden, and tables out front (Yackandandah Hotel). The pub’s own about page says it was reopened by Dale Kemp, Sian Haycock, Jackson Cartwright, and Brittany Hart after closing in late 2024. The pub’s heritage dates back more than a century — local guides cite either 1868 or 1879 as its original build year (Aussie Towns; Australian Atlas). The Explore Yackandandah tourism site calls it a “150-year-old country pub.”
“The Yackandandah Hotel is a local hub to bring people together over honest food, great drinks, and warm hospitality.”
— Explore Yackandandah
Star Hotel Yackandandah
At 30 High St, the Star Hotel is the town’s Top Pub — a heritage-listed venue built in 1863 that now operates as an American-style BBQ smokehouse. Its official website says it aims to “bring together community over quality American style barbecue, live music, regionally sourced ingredients and high quality local beverages” (Star Hotel Yackandandah). TripAdvisor describes it as “a classic pub with a full bar and a range of classic meals with a twist” (TripAdvisor). Regional tourism copy highlights a renovated restaurant and beer garden. The Star Hotel also hosts live music and local events including the Yackandandah Folk Festival and the Spring Migration Festival (Alpine Valley Getaways).
“The Star Hotel has been the beating heart of this High Country hamlet.”
— Sitchu travel publication
Which pub is right for you?
The table below lays out the key differences at a glance.
| Name | Atmosphere | Food specialty | Entertainment | Opening hours | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yackandandah Hotel (The Yack Hotel) | Classic country pub with beer garden and tables out front; described as “bottom pub” by locals (TripAdvisor) | Honest pub fare — surf-n-turf, cold beer; homestyle menu (Explore Yackandandah) | Bar dining, occasional live music; Folk Festival venue (Yackandandah Folk Festival) | 7 days, 11:30am til late (Yackandandah Hotel) | theyackhotel.com.au |
| Star Hotel Yackandandah | Heritage venue with renovated restaurant and beer garden; known as “top pub” (Commercial Real Estate) | House-smoked meats and American-style BBQ (Star Hotel Yackandandah) | Live music venue (300-capacity); Yackandandah Folk Festival and Spring Migration Festival (Alpine Valley Getaways) | 7 days a week; 11:00–22:00 daily (Star Hotel Yackandandah) | starhotelyack.com.au |
Our pick: first-time visitors & couples
For first-time visitors who want the full Yackandandah pub experience: start at the Star Hotel for dinner (house-smoked brisket, live music if you time it right), then walk down High Street to the Yack Hotel for a nightcap in the beer garden. This hits both venues, both atmospheres, and gives you the town’s pub crawl in one evening.
For couples seeking a relaxed evening out: the Yack Hotel’s beer garden and pub-grub menu make for a low-key dinner without the noise of a 300-capacity music venue. The 7 rooms upstairs mean you can stay overnight — though only 7 rooms exist, so booking ahead is wise.
Best for segments:
- Live music fans: Star Hotel — its 300-capacity room and festival involvement make it the clear choice (Alpine Valley Getaways).
- BBQ enthusiasts: Star Hotel — house-smoked meats are the headline (Star Hotel Yackandandah).
- Traditional pub goers: Yackandandah Hotel — classic beer garden, cold beer, surf-n-turf menu (Explore Yackandandah).
Who bought the Yackandandah pub?
The Yackandandah Hotel was bought (or rather, the lease/licence was taken over) by four local mates: Dale Kemp, Sian Haycock, Jackson Cartwright, and Brittany Hart. The pub’s about page says it “closed in late 2024” and was “reopened by a small group of mates” in 2025 (Yackandandah Hotel). The Age covered the reopening in August 2025, noting “big ’70s energy” in the revived pub.
The story behind the reopening
Before its 2024 closure, the Yack Hotel had been serving locals and visitors for more than a century — sources date its original construction to either 1868 or 1879, depending on the record (Aussie Towns; Australian Atlas). When it closed, many worried the town would lose one of its two pubs. The takeover by four locals — Kemp, Haycock, Cartwright, and Hart — brought it back as a community-run operation.
What’s on the menu at the Yack Hotel?
The Yack Hotel positions itself as a straightforward country pub: “honest food, great drinks, and warm hospitality” (Explore Yackandandah). TripAdvisor descriptions mention surf-n-turf and cold beer. The beer garden is a highlight for warmer months.
Tip for visitors: The Yack Hotel has 7 rooms upstairs. If you want to stay overnight, book directly through theyackhotel.com.au — especially during festival weekends when accommodation in town fills fast.
What’s in Yackandandah?
Yackandandah is a small gold-rush town in the High Country of North-East Victoria, about 35 minutes south of Albury-Wodonga. Beyond the two pubs, the town offers antique stores, cafes, local markets, and the Yackandandah Folk Festival — which began in 1998 with 12 local performers in a pub and now hosts over 60 acts across 6 walkable venues (Yackandandah Folk Festival).
Cafes and restaurants in Yackandandah
Specific cafe names are not confirmed in the inputs, but related search terms and tourism copy indicate there are “good cafes and restaurants” in town. The Star Hotel’s BBQ is the most distinctive dining option, while the Yack Hotel covers pub classics.
Shops and antique stores in Yackandandah
Related searches suggest antique shopping is part of the town’s appeal. The streetscape includes heritage buildings that house independent stores — though specific shop names are not provided in the research material.
Local markets in Yackandandah
Yackandandah runs local markets, though precise dates and locations are not captured in the inputs. The festival website notes that the Yackandandah Holiday Park offers powered and unpowered sites and self-contained cabins for visitors (Yackandandah Folk Festival).
What is Yackandandah famous for?
Yackandandah is famous for its gold-rush history and heritage streetscapes. Visit Victoria calls it “a historic High Country town on the edge of the Kiewa Valley” and recommends “hearty meals in real country pubs” (Visit Victoria). The Yackandandah Hotel has been serving for over 100 years, and the Star Hotel dates back to 1863 — together they anchor the town’s social life.
Gold rush history and heritage
The town grew rapidly after gold was discovered in the 1850s. The Star Hotel was built in 1863 during this boom, and the Yack Hotel followed. Today the historic streetscapes are a draw for heritage tourism (Explore Yackandandah).
The two historic pubs as landmarks
The Bottom Pub and Top Pub are more than drinking spots — they’re community venues. The Star Hotel’s 300-capacity room hosts the Folk Festival and Spring Migration Festival. The Yack Hotel’s reopening in 2025 made local news as a sign of the town’s resilience (Yackandandah Hotel).
Heritage claim note: The Yackandandah Hotel’s build year is contested. The Explore Yackandandah tourism site calls it “150 years old” (~1875), but individual sources cite 1868 and 1879 (Australian Atlas; Aussie Towns). We note both dates here because no primary archival document has been retrieved to settle the discrepancy.
Location and getting there
Yackandandah is in the High Country of North-East Victoria, roughly a 35-minute drive south of Albury-Wodonga. Both pubs are on High Street:
- Yackandandah Hotel — 1 High St, Yackandandah VIC 3749 (TripAdvisor)
- Star Hotel — 30 High St, Yackandandah VIC 3749 (TripAdvisor)