Review John Forrest Tavern - Darlington

Very friendly customer service with a genuine smile. The food was pretty tasty too, a good sized serving! We were surrounded by a kangaroo, ducks, and lorikeets, it was a fantastic experience! Definitely keen to go back.

The setting and wild life was just wonderful, top marks. The front of house staff were friendly and doing their best but clearly frustrated and short staffed. The food was in the most part was good. My bacon egg burger was great. What was unacceptable in all ways was a two hour wait for simple pub food and when my husband's medium rare steak arrived it was so blue it was cold in the middle. We were refunded the meal and he was given an icecream. We are going back to try again

We made a point to visit and have a meal at the tavern because we heard that it may not be there much longer. Ideal location in the park with ample parking and of course the friendly kangaroos, which are one of the main attractions there - they come into the tavern as they please. We ordered the chicken parmi and BELT sandwich. Unfortunately the chicken was slightly undercooked but we didn't complain about it or send it back. The sandwich was nice and a pint of Kilkenny helped wash it down. Bookings recommended as they can get really busy, but that may be because we were there on a Saturday during the start of the school holidays. There are also two separate seating wings to the Tavern, one visible from the entrance and the other to the immediate left of the entry thru a small walkway. I usually cycle the Railway Heritage Trail so will make it a point to stop by again should the opportunity arise - may not order the chicken parmi again though and try something else 😆

Love this place! The friendly Roo's are amazing.... the food was awesome. Unfortunately their lease hasn't been renewed and it'll be bulldozed to make way for more carparking and a Cafe soon. So sad. The relationship the local Roo's have with the pub is what draws people to visit..... and shortly it'll be gone.

It has been a sad day for me, as that will be the last time I can visit the John Forrest Tavern, as it will close on May 31st. The government department responsible for the national parks will not renew the lease. Only pub for miles. A great place for a walk in the forest, and then lunch with the kangaroos. They don't disturb the customers or try to take your food. It has been a unique experience for locals, and overseas visitors.

What a great place to have a meal! Local wildlife made it memorable (we had a laugh at the line for the bar…behind 3 kangaroos) , food was big serves of quality food.

Great spot to chill out with a beer, wine or both! And enjoy the company of nature. Very sad it won't be there much longer...

Lovely park views of city bush dense and beautiful tavern which mayn't be there much longer good serves food and alcohol kangaroos tame close by also birds