The infamous cliche of hotels run by legendary local Australian women is discussed in this study of the inaccuracy of perspectives that Australian pubs are a man's domain. Archival and oral sources provide detail about how women, since colonial times, have achieved social power, autonomy, and independence by working as publicans. Folk songs, ballads, and literary representations accompany interviews and photographs that reveal the different characterizations of colorful, indomitable female hotelkeeps.