The best breweries and distilleries in Byron Bay (and its surrounds)

For an afternoon sipping locally crafted brews, check out these top Byron Bay breweries and distilleries.

Sprawling across a richly fertile area from coast to hinterland and brimming with fresh produce and native ingredients, Byron Bay and her neighbouring shires have inspired a collection of passionate brewers and distillers. From The Tweed to Byron and winding down to Ballina, you can sip on beautifully made beers and spirits crafted to showcase the flavours of this sub-tropical region. Here, we’ve rounded up Byron’s best breweries and distilleries to pop on your drinks list.

1. Stone & Wood

sample beers for tasting at Stone & Wood — Stone & Wood offer approachable, balanced beers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Heading to the cavernous, 31-tank brewery in Byron’s industrial estate is always a precursor to good times. Find your seat inside or grab a table in the beer garden and work your way through Stone & Wood ’s hoppy options with a tasting. If you’re a certified craft beer fan, book in for the 90-minute brewery tour that kicks off fine hospitably with a welcome beer. Food is by 100 Mile Table and if you’re not a drinker, there are non-alcoholic and kid-friendly beverages on offer, too.

Address: 100 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10am-6pm; Friday: 10am-7pm; Saturday: 12pm-7pm; Sunday: 12pm-6pm

2. Common People Brewing Co.

an aerial shot of the deck at Common People Brewing Co. — Bond over beers on the deck. (Image: Common People Brewing Co.)

All people, common and not-so, are welcome to the Taproom to settle in for a session of Common People ’s brews. While the kegs flow with beers, such as the Protesters IPA, El Sabro Hazy IPA and Moonless Midnight Stout, if you’d rather have a different sort of fermented beverage, there’s a well-considered wine list on offer. No matter your tipple, it can be enjoyed with a menu of beautifully blistered pizza and other wood-fired treats. There’s often live music or community events, so check the website to see what’s coming up.

Address: 9 Dudgeons Lane, Bangalow

Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday: 12pm-9pm; Sunday: 12pm-8pm

3. Wandana Brewing Co

the calypso sour beer with sliced passionfruit and toasted organic coconut at Wandana Brewing Co — Calypso sour beer with sliced passionfruit and toasted organic coconut at Wandana Brewing Co.

This industrial-estate-located brewery gazes out across the lush pastures of outer Mullumbimby. Festoon lighting, a shaded beer garden and regular live music, not to mention innovative and delicious beer, make Wandana an easy go-to for an afternoon session. The Wandana folk are big believers that music makes their beer taste better, so they have their yeast cells vibrating with round-the-clock tunes. See if you agree with the theory by embarking on a tasting paddle that may include the Mullum Madness IPA, Roadie Pale Ale or Upzy Hazy. Rotating food trucks and a kids’ playroom also add to Wandana’s laidback appeal.

Address: 20 Manns Road, Mullumbimby

Opening hours: Wednesday 1.30pm-6.30pm; Thursday to Saturday 12.30pm-8.30pm; Sunday 12.3pm-7.30pm.

4. Seven Mile Brewing Co.

the exterior of Seven Mile Brewing Co. Byron Bay — Step into Seven Mile Brewing Co. to taste locally brewed beers.

No coastal town is complete without its own brewery and Ballina, 30 minutes south of Byron, is no exception. Named after one of the shire’s best-known beaches, Seven Mile Brewing Co . sits right by the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport tempting travellers the moment they disembark from their aircraft. Pop in to partake in locally brewed effervescence with beers such as the Iron Peg Aussie Pale, American Pale Ale and Hard Ginger Beer. A roster of food trucks swing by from Friday to Saturday to serve beer-adjacent bites from burgers to tacos and pizza.

Address: 188–202 Southern Cross Drive

Opening hours: Thursday: 3pm-7p; Friday to Sunday: 12pm-6pm

5. Earth Beer Company

the Earth Beer Company exterior, Byron Bay — The cellar door is nestled within a rustic barn. (Image: @jayanta_visual)

Set in a rustic barn on an avocado farm just behind the Tweed Coast town of Kingscliff, Earth Beer Company produces deliciously refreshing beer and other fermented delights. Locally minded, you won’t find these brews too far from their home, but they’re definitely worth stocking up on while here. Try the Hemp Hazy Pale, Dark Moon Brown Ale and the Rising Sun Pale and don’t miss a sip of their seasonal specials, such as the Mango Weisse or Avocado Kolsch. Sit-ins at the brewery are often accompanied by food trucks and there’s always some cool merch on-hand to take away as a holiday memento.

Address: 592 Cudgen Road, Cudgen

Opening hours: Friday and Saturday 11am-8pm; Sunday 11am-7.30pm

6. Husk Farm Distillery

the front view of Husk Farm Distillery — Sign up for long lunches at the barn-like distillery. (Image: Sally/@salsinghphotography)

It all started when a sugar cane-farming family had the novel idea to make rum from their fresh cane juice, soon enough Husk Farm Distillery became a North Coast institution. Their farm-to-bottle ethos has caught the attention of spirit drinkers far and wide, and while it may have all started with rum, the family also now produce the incredible, violet-hued Ink Gin among other tipples. Book a spot on the lawn at the beautiful barn-like distillery for a sunny afternoon of cocktails and nibbles or grab a table for a long lunch. If you’re keen to nerd out on the nitty gritty of distilling, be sure to sign up for a tour that includes a welcome drink and tastings. Or catch one of the many events, from cocktail-making classes to paddock parties and stargazing. Being a 45-minute drive north of Byron, be sure to nominate a designated driver or arrange transport.

Address: 1152 Dulguigan Road, North Tumbulgum

Opening hours: Hours change seasonally, check the website for updated times.

7. Cape Byron Distillery

botanicals on display at Cape Byron Distillery — Find high-quality gins infused with local botanicals. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’d be hard-pressed to find an Aussie gin-drinker who hasn’t heard of Brookies Gin. If you know, you know how, so why not go along to Cape Byron Distillery and see where and how this beloved spirit is made? Just 15 minutes from town, this Byron cellar door is set on a 95-acre property and lushly encroached upon by regenerated rainforest. Here you can sit on the balcony and sample not just their flagship gin, but also their Shirl the Pearl Gin, Turkish Delight Gin, Whisky and the sweet Mac. Liqueur made from, of course, macadamias. For the full experience, though, book in for a guided tasting, rainforest and gin tour or whisky tour.

Address: 80 St Helena Road, McLeods Shoot

Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday 10.45am-6pm

8. Lord Byron Distillery

This renewable, zero-waste alcoholic enterprise is a family affair began by Brian and Helen Restall. At Lord Byron what goes in the bottle is sourced from ingredients grown locally, even the pure water, which is collected from the family’s farm. Taste the provenance in their rum, gin, limoncello and other spirits when you swing by their Banksia Drive distillery. A visit may include a tour, cocktail masterclass or a session to distil your own gin.

Address: 4 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10am-5pm

Discover the best bars in Byron Bay

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.