I am Irish, so it more or less goes without saying that I enjoy a beer, and going to pubs. And in my work as a travel editor, I have been to a few amazing ones spanning the globe. There was the Irish pub next to the elephant farm in Nepal, the pub in Dublin where my husband bumped into the F1 star, Damon Hill, the famous Barefoot Bar in Waikiki, the Bar of 1000 beers in Copenhagen….the list goes on and on.

Living in Australia it's easy to forget that some of the most beautiful and iconic pubs are right on our very own doorstep, but the esteemed Australian travel writer, Lee Mylne, has brought many of them back into the spotlight thanks to her new book. Hitting the stands this week, Great Australian Pubs is a marvellous compilation of some our country's best watering holes.

As Mylne rightfully says, however, they are not just places in which to imbibe, but in some cases to find a bed for the night and a hot meal, not forgetting that they are often the social hub of smaller communities; hailing from Ireland, it's a similar philosophy in my home country.

The book is not only packed with listings, fascinating information, history, yarns and lashings of local colour, but is also beautifully photographed. The listings are organised by state, and within the state, by metropolitan and regional areas. Notable entries include the iconic Australian Hotel in Sydney, the Wig & Pen in Canberra, the Farmers Arms in Daylesford, Victoria, and Hamer's Hotel in Strahan, Tasmania.

Mylne has been in the writing game a long time and is one of our most respected authors and travel writers. She has penned seven books to date, and when she's not on the road, she's planning to go somewhere.

This lovely tome, which must have taken considerable time to compile, is not only for the beer or pub lover, but for people who enjoy great photography while delving into unique Australian history and culture. And for me it was a chance to trip down memory lane with a few of the entries. Fancy a schooner anyone?

Check out our Great Australian Pubs holiday competition for your chance to win a copy.