Gin tasting experiences: 11 of the best in Australia

Sip on some of the world’s best gins at these incredible distilleries.

Australia’s unique botanicals – many of which are found nowhere else on Earth – paired with trailblazing producers, have helped create some of the world’s finest gins, right on our doorstep. From Broome to Hobart, an innovative approach to gin production is making the spirit more popular – and more delicious – than ever. And plenty of top-notch distilleries across the country are sharing their knowledge and offering incredible gin tasting experiences.

Sip on some of the country’s finest drops at these world-class distilleries and discover what makes Aussie gin so special.

1. Archie Rose Distilling Co., NSW

A man pouring a gin cocktail. — Sip on some of Australia’s most awarded gins. (Image: Destination NSW)

One of Australia’s most beloved and renowned gin distillers (and for good reason), Archie Rose Distilling Co.’s gin tasting class is a must for any enthusiast or newbie to the spirit. In a one-hour session at their Rosebery cellar door, guests will explore the art of gin-making – sipping their way through the producer’s award-winning gins, limited editions and premium releases – while learning about the distillation process, garnishes and tonic pairings. You’ll also take home a 200ml bottle of their Signature Dry Gin – a contemporary Australian take on a classic dry gin – and a 500ml Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water to continue your spirited journey at home.

Price: $79 per person

Address: Archie Rose Bar and Cellar Door, 85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery

2. Millsheds Distillery & Bar, NSW

Once a live music venue, Bowral’s Millsheds Distillery & Bar has transformed into an award-winning boutique distillery. Nestled in the heart of Bowral, it has won silver medals at the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition, and its Highland Gin scored 93/100, placing it among the top gins in Australia. Their two-hour gin crafting workshop offers the ultimate experience, including gin tastings, a distillery tour, a botanical masterclass, sensory exploration, a grazing platter and the chance to create two 200ml bottles of your own bespoke gin.

Price: $149

Address: Shop 9/210-224 Bong Bong St, Bowral

3. Forty Spotted Gin, Tas

A gin making class set up. — Try your hand at creating a delicious Tassie gin.

Tasmania has no shortage of innovative distilleries, with Forty Spotted Gin standing out as a leader, especially if their distinctive bottle design is anything to go by. Harnessing native ingredients such as rooibos tea, Kakadu plum and Tasmanian pepperberry, their gins are known for their deliciously complex flavour profiles. Try your hand at creating something equally as tasty in their Gin Making Experience masterclass. Over the course of two hours, you’ll explore the world of gin while being expertly guided to create your own unique 200ml bottle – sniffing, sipping and discovering along the way.

Price: $99

Address: Level 1, 30 Argyle Street, Hobart

4. Lord Howe Island Distilling Co., NSW

Savouring gin on a World Heritage-listed Island? In our opinion, that’s paradise found. At Lord Howe Island Distilling Co ., you can get a behind-the-scenes look to learn about how the island’s first distillery produces its award-winning small batch gins. Co-founder Anthony Riddle leads the one-hour tasting, where you’ll sample gins crafted with locally foraged botanicals like the endemic Mountain Rose and native Sea Grapes, while also learning about the distillation process. More than just a gin tasting, this class aims to connect you with the essence of the island.

Price: $35

Address: 35 Middle Beach Rd, Lord Howe Island

5. Husk Farm Distillery, NSW

Three bottles of ink gin. — Sample the iconic purple Ink Gin. (Image: Destination NSW)

Husk Farm Distillery jumped on every gin lover’s radar when they released their iconic floral-infused Ink Gin that changes colour when you add your mixer of choice. This all-natural gin is enlivened with 12 botanicals including native lemon myrtle, orange peel and juniper. Learn all about their unique blends in the Ink Gin Experience workshop. Savour a cocktail as you explore the history of this refreshing spirit, then enjoy a guided tasting of four unique varieties and a hands-on cocktail masterclass.

The sprawling property in the lush Tweed region is delightful on warmer days, so enjoying a tipple in the garden is not to be missed.

Price: $72.86

Address: 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum

6. Darwin Distilling Co., NT

Founded in January 2020 by Rebecca Bullen, Darwin Distilling Co. crafts uniquely Top End gins by harvesting Territory botanicals, bottled with playful, locally-inspired labels. In the ‘Blend Your Own’ Gin Masterclass, you’ll learn how to mix a selection of gin bases with unique botanicals to create four tastings – then bottle up your favourite in a 500ml take-home keepsake.

If you want to take things to new heights, book the helicopter foraging tour where you will get to harvest native botanicals from the exclusive Finniss River Lodge, for your premium gin-making experience

Price: $150

Address: via, Level 1, 56 Smith St, Austin Ln, Darwin City

7. Moontide Distillery, WA

Three gin cocktails with garnishes. — Small-batch spirits hero native ingredients from the Kimberley.

If you’re able to tear yourself away from the picturesque landscape of Broome, head straight to the town’s only distillery, Moontide Distillery . Nestled among mango trees, this hidden gem makes small-batch spirits that hero native ingredients from the Kimberley, such as Kakadu plum and white berry bush. Escape the heat and enjoy a relaxed tasting experience with three mini mixed beverages or straight spirit samples, like the White Pearl Gin, which features notes of mango, tamarind, sandalwood, and lemon myrtle. Order a cheeseboard for the perfect accompaniment.

Price: $29

Address: 17 Gwendoline Crossing, Bilingurr, Broome

8. Four Pillars, Vic

Forget wine when you head to the Yarra Valley, and make a beeline for Four Pillars . This Aussie icon has won the International Gin Producer of the Year award at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London three times, and if that isn’t enough to convince you to go for a gin tasting, not much else will. Renowned for their innovative gin-making approach and bold, contemporary flavours (Think: The Bloody Shiraz Gin, crafted by steeping Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes in Rare Dry Gin), Four Pillars offer a gin tasting experience you won’t forget.

Book in for a 55-minute tasting on the Mezzanine, which includes a signature G&T on arrival, followed by a tasting of five of their flavour-packed concoctions. If you loved what you tried, you can use the $25 off your gin retail purchase and take home your favourites.

Price: $50

Address: 2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville

9. Never Never Distilling Co., SA

A man making gin cocktails outside. — Drink in idyllic Yarra Valley views. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Once occupying a 16-square-metre space in Adelaide, the Never Never Distilling Co. now occupies a sprawling property atop Chalk Hill in McLaren Vale. What hasn’t changed, however, is its commitment to crafting flavour-forward gins. Reserve a space for The Premium Gin Masterclass, which begins with a drink in hand as you walk around the expansive grounds, learning about the distillery and the gin-making process. This is followed by a tasting of their signature drops – including the Triple Juniper Export Strength, which won World’s Best London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards in London in 2022 – to be enjoyed while drinking in sweeping views of the rolling McLaren Vale hills, and ending with a cocktail. Visitors won’t walk away empty-handed, as a goody bag packed with Never Never treats is the final touch of the journey.

Price: $145

Address: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale

10. Kangaroo Island Spirits, SA

A display of Kangaroo Island Spirits gins. — Kangaroo Island Spirits produced the first 100 per cent Australian-grown juniper gin. (Image: Kangaroo Island Spirits)

Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery has been sitting pretty on the idyllic Kangaroo Island since 2006, where 230 boobialla (native juniper) were planted on site. Fast forward to 2023, and Kangaroo Island Spirits proudly produced the world’s first 100 per cent Australian-grown juniper gin. It’s this dedication to the spirit that beckons gin lovers for a tasting.

Enjoy five of their expertly crafted gins that champion native ingredients like the coastal daisy, matched with tonic and garnishes. The experience also includes a tour of the distillery and interpretive garden.

Price: $40

Address: 856 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River

11. Distillery Botanica, NSW

The botanical garden at Distillery Botanica. — Stroll through the elegantly tended gardens hand-picking your own gin botanicals.

Hiding in the Central Coast, Distillery Botanica has recently opened a cellar door surrounded by expansive botanical gardens. Independently owned by herbalist and master distiller Philip Moore, Distillery Botanica produces a range of top-notch drops that hero native ingredients, including the award-winning Moore’s Dry Gin with lemon myrtle, finger lime and pepperberry.

Join in for a Distil Your Own Gin Workshop to concoct your bespoke 700ml bottle, guided by a tasting session and a foraging experience in the garden. The workshop also includes teachings on how to make the perfect G&T or gin and soda, and the perfect garnish to top it off.

Price: $180

Address: 25 Portsmouth Rd, Erina

Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.

An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.

This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.

A stay at Park Hyatt

couple with champagne on the balcony of their park hyatt sydney room — Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.

If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.

Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.

aerial of park hyatt sydney rooftop pool — Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.

Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.

The festive stay package

Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.

The Summer Kit

branded tote bag of park hyatt sydney with the sydney opera house in background — Take home a branded tote bag.

Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.

Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.

The details

The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.

Christmas dining

christmas menu at the dining room restaurant in park hyatt sydney — Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.

For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .

From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.

On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.

“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.

Exploring Sydney

woman drinking festive cocktail in the dining room restaurant of park hyatt sydney — The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.

For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.

The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.

Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.

Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.

For more details on Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney, visit parkhyattsydney.com or call +61 2 9256 1234.

11 of the best gin tasting experiences across Australia