The 12 secret Aussie wine regions you need to visit now

Sip your way through Australia’s best-kept secrets.

Australia’s best wine experiences are hidden far from the crowds. This Easter, ditch the familiar wine trails and uncover something truly special. New research conducted by YouGov reveals that 88 per cent of Aussies want to explore lesser-known wine regions, and these hidden vines are waiting to be discovered.

Welcome to the Ascend Wine Odyssey – a heli-luxe journey through three world-class wineries in one unforgettable day.

Millennials and Gen Z are leading this wine revolution, prioritising high-quality, unique wine experiences. Visitors from Asia are also discovering these hidden gems, with Chinese tourists alone up by 82 per cent this year.

From offbeat cellar doors to quirky stays, Airbnb and wine expert Mike Bennie have handpicked Australia’s best undiscovered wine regions ready for your next grape escape. Here’s where you need to go.

1. Southern Highlands, NSW

Artemis Wines in the Southern Highlands — Artemis Wines is renowned for its pinot noir.

Just a short drive from Sydney, the Southern Highlands offer cosy cellar doors and cool-climate wines. Enjoy artisanal tastings at Artemis Wines , renowned for its pinot noir and welcoming atmosphere or indulge at Joadja Estate , the Southern Highlands’ oldest winery.

Where to stay: Sauna Haus , a luxurious Scandinavian-inspired retreat perfect for relaxing after a day of tastings.

2. Canberra District, ACT/NSW

The Barlow Tiny House in Canberra wine district — Stay at Barlow Tiny House after a day exploring vineyards. (Image: Em Callaghan)

Steeped in history and rolling hills, Canberra District boasts celebrated wineries like Helm Wines , home to award-winning riesling. Don’t miss Ravensworth for its organic approach to premium wines.

Where to stay: The charming Barlow Tiny House , perfectly nestled among scenic vineyards and farmland.

3. South Gippsland, Vic

Jacky Winter Waters in Soth Gippsland — Jacky Winter Waters is a funky stay in South Gippsland.

South Gippsland offers boutique vineyards and stunning coastal beauty. Visit Bass River Winery for exquisite pinot noir and chardonnay, or The Wine Farm for elevated, sustainable wines.

Where to stay: Jacky Winter Waters , a meditative beachfront retreat in Walkerville North.

4. Macedon Ranges, Vic

Shadowfax Wines in the Macedon Ranges — Enjoy Shadowfax Wines’ cool-climate offerings.

Discover Macedon’s elegant wines, farmers’ markets and artistic heritage. Visit Cobaw Ridge Winery for biodynamic practices and Shadowfax Wines for standout cool-climate offerings.

Where to stay: Willowglade Retreat , a peaceful garden sanctuary in Mount Macedon.

5. Granite Belt, Qld

Granite Belt cyclist vineyards — Cycle from cellar door to cellar door in the Granite Belt. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Granite Belt is Queensland’s premier wine destination and offers a lush subtropical climate and bold wines. Boireann excels in robust reds, while Ravenscroft introduces rare grape varieties.

Where to stay: Mossy Rock Cabin in Stanthorpe, surrounded by serene natural beauty.

6. Coonawarra, SA

Bellweather cellar door in Coonawarra — Taste from the barrel at Bellweather. (Image: Tourism Australia/South Australian Tourism Commission)

World-famous for its cabernet sauvignon, Coonawarra provides rich red wines and historic charm. Visit Bellwether for immersive cellar door experiences or Raidis Estate for modern winemaking.

Where to stay: Winemakers House at The Blok , offering romantic vineyard views.

7. Riverland, SA

Wigley Retreat Airbnb in Riverland SA — Wigley Retreat is a great place to base yourself.

Perfect for family getaways, Riverland blends picturesque river views with biodynamic vineyards. Visit Whistling Kite Wines for tastings paired with local produce or 919 Wines for exceptional fortified wines.

Where to stay: Wigley Retreat , a secluded riverside sanctuary.

8. Mount Gambier, SA

Stop in for a tipple at Good Intentions Wine Co. (Image: Ben McMahon)

Known for vibrant arts and striking volcanic landscapes, Mount Gambier also offers innovative wines. Taste expressive vintages at Good Intentions Wine Co. or Limus Wine .

Where to stay: Heinlen on North Terrace , combining heritage charm with luxurious comfort.

9. Great Southern Region, WA

Paul Nelson Wines in WA's Great Southern Region — Visit Paul Nelson Wines by appointment.

One of Australia’s most diverse wine regions, Great Southern blends coastal beauty with quality wines. Paul Nelson Wines offers intimate tastings by appointment, while Oranje Tractor Wines delivers eco-friendly experiences.

Where to stay: Lotti’s House boasts stunning views of Albany’s harbour.

10. Southern Forests (Manjimup and Pemberton), WA

The Grove at Ryans Rest in WA's Southern Forests — Go off-grid at The Grove at Ryans Rest.

Escape to this lush agricultural haven and taste wines deeply connected to their region. Peos Estate offers a wide range of styles, while Truffle Hill Wines pairs truffles and vintages expertly.

Where to stay: The Grove at Ryans Rest , an off-grid tiny house nestled in ancient forests.

11. Swan Valley, WA

Group picnic at Nikola Estate in the Swan Valley WA — Nikola Estate provides innovative wine selections.

As WA’s oldest wine region, Swan Valley combines rich history with delightful gourmet experiences. Harris Organic produces exceptional fortified wines and Nikola Estate provides innovative wine selections.

Where to stay: The Carriage , a lovingly restored train carriage from circa 1901.

12. East Coast, Tas

Tasmania’s East Coast offers pristine beaches and stunning cellar doors. Sample cool-climate wines at Devil’s Corner , famed for panoramic views, or explore heritage-listed Spring Vale Vineyards .

Where to stay: Holland House Bay of Fires offers stylish, beachfront relaxation.

Slow down and find your rhythm on a Murray River journey through time and place.

Trust is a funny thing. It seems not that long ago that my mother was insisting on pouring the milk into my cereal bowl, because she didn’t trust me not to slosh it over the table, and yet here I am on the Murray River at Mildura in far north-west Victoria, being handed the keys to a very new and very expensive luxury houseboat.

After a crash course in how not to crash, I’m at the wheel of the good ship Elevate – pride of the All Seasons fleet – guiding her upstream past red-ochre cliffs as pelicans glide above the rippled river and kookaburras call from reedy banks. There’s a brief moment of breath-holding while I negotiate a hairpin turn around a jagged reef of skeletal, submerged gum trees, before a cheer rings out and calm descends as the timeless river unfurls in front of us.

The Murray River winding through Yarrawonga. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Setting sail from Mildura

Murray River birds — Home to a large number of bird species, including pelicans. (Image: The Precint Studios)

A journey along the Murray River is never less than magical, and launching from Mildura makes perfect sense. Up here the river is wide and largely empty, giving novice skippers like myself the confidence to nudge the 60-tonne houseboat up to the riverbank where we tie up for the night, without fear of shattering the glass elevator (the boat is fully wheelchair accessible) or spilling our Champagne.

My friends and I spend three days on the water, swimming and fishing, sitting around campfires onshore at night, and basking in air so warm you’d swear you were in the tropics. The simplicity of river life reveals an interesting dichotomy: we feel disconnected from the world but at the same time connected to Country, privileged to be part of something so ancient and special.

Stop one: Echuca

19th-century paddlesteamers — A historic 19th-century paddlesteamer cruises along the Murray River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The six-hour drive from Melbourne to Mildura (or four hours and 20 minutes from Adelaide) is more than worth it, but you don’t have to travel that far to find fun on the river. Once Australia’s largest inland port, Echuca is the closest point on the Murray to Melbourne (two hours 45 minutes), and you’ll still find a plethora of paddlesteamers tethered to the historic timber wharf, a throwback to the thriving river trade days of the 19th century. The PS Adelaide, built in 1866 and the oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer operating in the world, departs daily for one-hour cruises, while a brand-new paddlesteamer, the PS Australian Star , is launching luxury seven-night voyages in December through APT Touring.

The town is also a hot food and wine destination. St Anne’s Winery at the historic Port of Echuca precinct has an incredibly photogenic cellar door, set inside an old carriage builders’ workshop on the wharf and filled with huge, 3000-litre port barrels. The Mill, meanwhile, is a cosy winter spot to sample regional produce as an open fire warms the red-brick walls of this former flour mill.

Stop two: Barmah National Park

Just half-an-hour upstream, Barmah National Park is flourishing, its river red gum landscape (the largest in the world) rebounding magnificently after the recent removal of more than 700 feral horses. The internationally significant Ramsar-listed wetland sits in the heart of Yorta Yorta Country, with Traditional Owners managing the environment in close partnership with Parks Victoria. Walkways weave through the forest, crossing creeks lined with rare or threatened plants, passing remnants of Yorta Yorta oven mounds and numerous scar trees, where the bark was removed to build canoes, containers or shields.

The Dharnya Centre (open weekdays until 3pm) is the cultural hub for the Yorta Yorta. Visitors can learn about the ecological significance of the Barmah Lakes on a 90-minute river cruise, led by a First Nations guide, or take a one-hour, guided cultural walking tour along the Yamyabuc Trail.

Stop three: Cobram

Continue east to Cobram to find the southern hemisphere’s largest inland beach. Swarming with sun-seekers in summer, the white sand of Thompson’s Beach is shaded by majestic river red gums and dotted with hundreds of beach umbrellas, as beachgoers launch all manner of water craft and set up stumps for beach cricket. But the beach is at its most captivating at sunset, when the crowds thin out, the glassy river mirrors the purple sky, and the canopies of the gum trees glow fiery orange.

The region is also home to some fine resorts and indulgent retreats. Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort has two riverside championship golf courses, luxury apartments and self-contained villas. While not strictly on the Murray, the historic wine town of Rutherglen is rife with boutique (and unique) accommodation, including an exquisitely renovated red-brick tower in a French provincial-style castle at Mount Ophir Estate. Fans of fortified wines can unravel the mystery of Rutherglen’s ‘Muscat Mile’, meeting the vignerons and master-blenders whose artistry has put the town on the global map for this rich and complex wine style.

Stop four: Albury-Wodonga

First Nations YindyamarraSculpture Walk — First Nations Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is part of the Wagirra Trail. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Follow the river far enough upstream and you’ll arrive at the twin border cities of Albury-Wodonga. The Hume Highway thunders through, but serenity can be found along the five-kilometre Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – part of the Wagirra Trail that meanders through river wetlands just west of Albury in Wiradjuri country. Fifteen sculptures by local First Nations artists line the trail, conveying stories of reconciliation, enduring connection to culture, local Milawa lore and traditional practices. It feels a long way from Mildura, and it is, but the pelicans and kookaburras remind us that it’s the same river, the great conduit that connects our country.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

New Mildura motel Kar-rama. (Image: Iain Bond Photo)

Kar-Rama is a brand-new boutique, retro-styled motel in Mildura, with a butterfly-shaped pool and a tropical, Palm Springs vibe. Echuca Holiday Homes has a range of high-end accommodation options, both on the riverfront and in town.

Playing there

BruceMunro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura — Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura. (Image: Imogen Eveson)

Artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights installation, comprising more than 12,000 illuminated ‘fireflies’, is currently lighting up Mildura’s Lock Island in the middle of the Murray. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) is a hub for contemporary art, with a rotating roster of exhibitions, and is a major outlet for young and First Nations artists.

Eating there

Mildura’s diverse demographic means it’s a fantastic place to eat. Andy’s Kitchen is a local favourite, serving up delicious pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails in a Balinese-style garden setting. Call in to Spoons Riverside in Swan Hill to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal produce in a tranquil setting overlooking the river.