Australian Gin Distilleries you MUST visit! ~ The Gin Queen

COVID19 restrictions are still in place in some areas and may affect the opening times of distilleries. Please call ahead before travelling.

The explosion in gin distilling means there are more distilleries than ever before, with opportunities to meet the maker, taste the gin and maybe buy a bottle (or two) to take home with you!

By visiting our gin distilleries you are directly supporting their business and the local economy, an absolute necessity to help this amazing industry thrive

Here are some of the Australian Gin Distilleries you MUST visit!

VICTORIA

Four Pillars, Healesville

The team that paved the way and inspired many gin distillers, Four Pillars has one of the best cellar doors around.

Australian Gin Distilleries you MUST visit!

Head over to the tasting area to sample the gins,or order yourself a paddle of gin tasters from the Four Pillars range matched with Fever-Tree tonic.

There are delicious cocktails available from the bar and you can pull up a stool and gaze at the beautiful Carl stills through the glass port holes.

Depending on when you visit there might be a where you can grab a quick bite before you take a look at the shop full of ginny gifts.

If you want to do more of an experience, book into one of their masterclasses (Choose from Maker, Gin or Cocktail).

It can get very busy at the weekends, so you might have to wait a short while before entering.

Address: 2a Lilydale Road, Healesville
VIC 3777 Australia

Opening times:

Sunday – Thursday: 10.30am – 5.30pm, Friday – Saturday: 10.30am – 9pm

Last drinks:
5:15pm, Sunday – Thursday
8:45pm, Friday – Saturday

Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday

Patient Wolf Distillery, South Melbourne

Just in time for the Christmas break, the Patient Wolf team have opening their new digs in South Melbourne. And, what a beauty they’ve created!

There are two distinct parts of their cellar door – one half is dedicated to distilling and the other to their impressive bar and lounge.

This isn’t just a space for gin-lovers, but a cool bar to gather a few mates and work your way through the cocktail menu. Patient Wolf Ambassador, Blake Hall has worked his socks off pulling together some of the best gin cocktails I’ve tasted. The Snow Pea Collins is a personal favourite.

Address: 34-36 Market Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Opening times:

Monday – Wednesday Closed, Thursday & Friday, 4.00pm – 10.00pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11.00am – 10.00pm

Brogan’s Way Distillery, Richmond

Brogan Carr is one of Australian distillers to watch. The distillery she built with her father, Simon, in Richmond offers a wide range of experiences. There are cocktail making classes, distillery tours, gin masterclasses and a gin distilling class with Brogan herself. All experiences must be booked in advance.

On top of that, the distillery has a fantastic bar to grab a variety of drinks, as well as delicious food.

Address: 61 North St, Richmond VIC 3121

Opening Times:

Thursday 5pm – 10pm, Friday 5pm – 11pm, Saturday 3pm – 11pm
and Sunday 2pm – 7pm

Animus Distillery, Kyneton

Part distillery, part cocktail bar, Animus Distillery is situated in the bustling country town of Kyneton.

Take a peek at the gin still while sampling Animus’ range of award-winning gins, or pull up a pew and enjoy some of the cocktails available ~ Make sure to say hello to Eva!

Leave time (and some money) for a walk around the town, exploring the shop and boutiques. Definitely visit Piper Street Foods (next door to Animus), they cater my Gin Tours to Animus and make the BEST pork pies!

Address: 1/89A Piper Street, Kyneton

Opening times:

Monday & Tuesday – by appointment only

Wednesday: 12pm – 9pm
Thursday: 12pm – 9pm
Friday: 12pm – 11pm
Saturday: 12pm – 11pm
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm

Big Tree Distillery, Macedon Ranges

Just up the road from Animus Distillery, you’ll find Big Tree Distillery. It has the most spectacular views across rolling fields, and plenty of sheep (owner Gary is also a farmer).

You can enjoy your gin tasting in the newly opened tasting room, and don’t forget to have your picture taken next to the Gin Bug!

Address: 307 Hennerbergs Road, Newham, Macedon Ranges, Victoria,
(Note: access Hennerbergs via Whitebridge Road) Off Three Chain Road

Opening times:

Friday 11am – 2pm.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am to 4pm.

Bellarine Distillery, Port Arlington

Russ and Lorelle Warren, makers of Teddy and the Fox gin, converted an old farm shed into their gorgeous cellar door ‘ The Whiskery’, much of which Russ completed himself.

You can sample their range of gins – (Teddy and the Fox has been joined by Rosie and the Rabbits and The Old Dodger), and maybe order a pizza or a platter to quell your hunger pangs!

If you are REALLY lucky, you might get to meet the stars of the distillery, Teddy and his little brother George.

It’s worth noting that Port Philip Ferries now runs a service between Port Melbourne and Port Arlington (takes about 70 minutes).

Address: 2102-2120 Portarlington Rd, Drysdale VIC 3222

Opening times:

Thursday – Sunday 11am – 5pm

New South Wales

Archie Rose Distillery, Sydney

The first distillery to open in Sydney for a century, Archie Rose is one of the largest distilling operations in Australia and is soon to expand by adding an additional site.

You can book into a distillery tour, take a cocktail masterclass or even blend your own gin to take home!

If you just fancy popping in for a drink, their well-stocked bar has an enviable range of spirits (not just gin) to choose from

Address: 85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018

Opening times:

Distillery: By appointment 9.00am-5.00pm
Bar: Sunday – Monday: 12pm-10:00pm, Tuesday – Saturday: 12pm-11:30pm

Distillery Botanica, Erina

Distillery Botanica Distillery is home to Philip Moore, one of Australia’s longest serving distillers. The former horticulturist has a wealth of knowledge on all things botanical and his beautiful distillery gardens are a source of inspiration for his gins and liqueurs (Philip also created world-renowned coffee liqueur, Mr Black).

Make sure you take time out at Bar Botanica, a casual dining spot set in the distillery gardens and home to Mr Goaty Gelato.

Tours are currently operating from groups (a minimum of 6 people and a maximum of 12), although this looks set to change in 2020.

Address: 25 Portsmouth Rd, Erina NSW 2250

Opening times:

Monday & Tuesday: closed, Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm

Manly Spirits Company, Sydney

Just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly Spirits Company combines it’s distillery operation with a beach themed bar serving a range of Manly Spirits cocktails. The distillery has a range of spirits aside from gin, botanical vodkas, limoncello and a coffee liqueur.

They offer tours and tastings, but you must book online. For the health conscious (hehehe), you can join their Gin Yoga class every Sunday!

Manly Spirits also offer a refill scheme ($10 off the regular retail price) using this steam-punk designed rendition of their logo, the Eastern Blue Devil Fish.

Address: 4A/9-13 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale, Sydney NSW 2100

Opening times:

Friday 3.30-10.00pm, Saturday 12.00-10.00pm, Sun 12.00-6.00pm

Tours: Friday 5.00pm, Saturday 2.00pm & 5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm (Tours must be booked online)

Cape Byron Distillery, Byron Bay

In 1988, Pam & Martin Brook bought a rundown dairy farm and over 35,000 subtropical rainforest trees were planted. This is now the home of Brookie’s gin and many of the botanicals they use are sourced from this very rainforest.

Distillery tours operate every Friday, Saturday & Sunday, and can be booked here. The experience also includes a guided tour through the rainforest where you can smell, see and touch the Brookie’s gin botanicals.

Address: 80 St Helena Rd, McLeods Shoot, NSW, Australia, 2479

Poor Toms Distillery, Sydney

Poor Toms Gin Hall is the perfect place to hang out with mates. Yes, you can see the still, but the venue is more of a bar experience. The team have created a brilliant list of cocktails and you can purchase bottles of Poor Tom’s products to take home.

Address: 6 Chalder Ave, Marrickville. NSW. 2204

Opening times:

Friday 3.00pm-10.00pm, Saturday 12.00pm – 10.00pm, Sunday 12.00pm – 9.00pm

South Australia

Seppeltsfield Road Distillers, Barossa

Seppeltsfield Road Distillers is based in the heart of the Barossa Valley.

You can choose from two tasting flights a tonic tasting flight. You can book a gin experience to get a full overview into how Christine works and how their gins are made.

Address: 36 Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga South Australia 5355

Opening times:

Sunday – Thursday 11.00am – 5.00pm, Friday and Saturday 11.00am – 6.00 pm.

Adelaide Hills Distillery, Adelaide Hills

Adelaide Hills Distillery is located at Lot.100, an 84 hectare property that also houses the production of Mismatch Brewing. The cellar door experience also presents The Hills Cider Company, Ashton Valley Fresh and Vinteloper. This is an amazing onsite restaurant, perfect for a relaxed lunch.

There are a selection of experiences to choose from; tasting flights, cocktail masterclasses, distillery and sustainability tours and you can even blend your own gin. You can book here.

Address: 68 Chambers Rd, Hay Valley SA

Opening times:

Thursday – Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm

Ambleside Distillers, Hahndorf

You’ll find Ambleside Distillers on the road to Hahndorf. They have a gorgeous tasting bar serving drinks and food platters.

You can partake of a tasting flight, Meet the Distillers or a do a gin blending class. Book here.

Address: Corner of Ambleside & Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, SA 5245

Opening Times:

Thursday – Friday 12.00pm – 6.00pm Saturday – Sunday 11.00am – 6.00pm

Never Never Distilling Co., McLaren Vale

Never Never opened their new space in March 2020, sharing it with Chalk Hill Wines. There is a beautiful outdoor space, still room, tasting room and spectacular bar with former Baxter Inn Manager, Stuart ‘Chewy’ Morrow at the helm.

The cocktail list features a stellar list of cocktails (including no and low-alcohol options), local wines, beers and ciders.

Pizzas are available on site from Vera Pizza Oztalia.

Address: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Opening Times:

11:30am – 5pm, Thursday to Monday

Western Australia

Old Young’s, Swan Valley

Once of the most awarded gin distilleries in Australia. Open for tastings and bottle purchases.

Address: 10581 W Swan Rd, Henley Brook WA 6055

Opening Times:

7 days a week 11.00am – 5.00pm

Giniversity, Margaret River

You can enjoy a tour and tasting, dine in for a casual lunch or sit on the deck with a refreshing gin and tonic or cocktail in hand.

They also offer 2 hour blending classes or 4 hours distillation classes. Book here.

You can also stay at the Giniversity Campus (Rutherglen Chalets)! For more information head here.

Address: Maxwell Street (off Carters Road) , Margaret River, Western Australia 6285

Opening Times:

Monday 9.00am – 7.00pm, Tuesday – Sunday 10.00 – 7.00pm

Queensland

Kalki Moon Distillery, Bundeberg

Bundeberg is synonymous with rum, but Rick and Kylie Prosser are changing that with their gins and liqueurs.

Free guided mini-tours are available daily.

Address: 22 Commercial St, Svensson Heights QLD 4670

Opening Times:

Monday 10.00am – 3.00pm, Tuesday – Friday 10.00am- 5.30pm. Saturday and Sunday 10.00am – 3.00pm

Mount Uncle Distillery, Walkamin

At the heart of the picturesque Atherton Tablelands, Mount Uncle Distillery is open for tastings of their award-winnings; spirits – gin, rum, whisky, and vodka every day.

Address: 1819 Chewko Rd, Walkamin 4872

Opening Times:

7 days a week 10.00am – 4.00pm

‘Fortune’ Noosa Heads Distillery, Noosa

‘Fortune’ Noosa Heads Distillery has three gins, unaged malt spirit and vodka available to try. As they have joined forces with Land and Sea brewery, you can also enjoy a beer!

Distillery tours are available Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays. Book here.

Address: 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville, Queensland, Australia

Tasmania

McHenry Distillery, Port Arthur

Australia’s Southernmost distillery overlooks Port Arthur and the view from the Bothy (pictured) is absolutely breathtaking.

William McHenry has a range of spirits to try; gin, vodka, whisky and liqueurs.

Tours are available daily, but you might like to consider doing one of William’s full-day gin-making workshops. The day includes a VIP distillery tour, gin masterclass, lunch, guided distillation and bottling and labeling of your personalised gin bottle. Bookings can be made here.

Address: 229 Radnor Rd., Port Arthur, Tasmania, 7182

Opening Times:

10:00am – 4:00pm 7 days a week.
Closed Christmas Day

Southern Wild Distillery, Devonport

Southern Wild Distillery is the home of Dasher and Fisher gins. It has a lounge and bar serving a range of drinks, bar food and they also host regular live music acts here.

Distiller George, is available for personal tours around the distillery, but booking is essential ([email protected]).

Address: 13-17 Oldaker Street, Devonport

Opening Times:

Monday – Thursday 12.00pm-6.00pm, Friday – Saturday 12.00pm-10.00pm,
Sunday 10.00am – 5.00pm

Shene Estate & Distillery, Pontville

The home of Poltergeist Gin is this spectacular historical building around 30 minutes from Hobart. Their roadside stall is open every day from 10.00am – 4.00pm to purchase bottles,

They offer a range of distillery experiences that can be booked here.

Address: 76 Shene Road, Pontville TAS 7030

Spring Bay Distillery, Spring Bay

Cam and Suzy set up their distillery a couple of years ago and are already gaining attention for their whisky and gin. Tours and tastings by appointment only. Book here.

If you have some time, head down to visit the beautiful beach!