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

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.

From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au

11 of the best gin tasting experiences across Australia