14 Best Gold Coast Breweries To Visit Now

Sit down with an ice-cold beer and enjoy.

Consider yourself a beer lover? The Gold Coast’s brewery scene has exploded over the last few years with new craft beer bars and tap houses opening, leading to the city quickly becoming the craft beer capital of Australia.

From Surfers Paradise to Burleigh Heads and over to Tamborine Mountain, it’s time to sip your way around the best breweries on the Gold Coast.

1. Hound and Stag Brewing Co.

The Gold Coast’s newest brewery Hound and Stag Brewing Co. is whole-heartedly into creating great beer within a spectacular venue to enjoy it. This stylish taproom and beer garden with a modern Australian cuisine menu and weekly live music is designed to be the brewery for everyone.

Address: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel

Hound and Stag Brewing Co. gold coast — Enjoy great beer, good food and live music.

2. BOBs Beer

An acronym for best of beers, BOBs Beer is the first and only brewery in Surfers Paradise, led by head brewer Ryan Fullerton who is passionate about tying the local Surfers’ culture into each beer he brews. BOBs Beers are brewed on-site so you can enjoy a pot just metres from where it was brewed.

three glasses of cold brew at BOBs — Head to BOBs for a no-fuss night of drinks.

Peckish? BOBs put as much thought into their food and strive to ensure their beer and food menus complement each other so all you need to worry about is when you’re going to fit in your next surf.

Address: 10/2 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

an elegant interior inside BOBs Beer — Pull up a chair inside their elegant drinking space.

3. Madocke Beer Brewing Company

Home to Australia’s champion European-style ale, Madocke Beer Brewing Company exclusively brews Belgian-style beers at its digs in Ashmore. This traditional Belgian beer comes from many factors including the brewing process, fermentation method, and knowledge of traditions handed down for centuries. On a visit to the taproom, get to know its Belgian range of craft beer and grab a bite from the food truck on-site.

Address: 286 Southport Nerang Road, Ashmore

Madocke Beer Gold Coast — Refresh yourself with an ice-cold beer at Madocke.

4. Lost Palms Brewing Company

Another recent addition to the burgeoning Gold Coast craft scene is Lost Palms , which has put a little fun into the brewery scene. Taking out any tough masculine elements associated with beer, this brewery and taphouse has a gorgeous pastel pink and mint colour scheme — hardly your average brewery, is it?

You’ll find Lost Palms in the neighbourhood of Miami across the street from the Gold Coast’s trendiest hang-out, Miami Marketta, which has pop-up bars, boho designers, eclectic live music, and a crowd that looks more Collingwood than Coolangatta. Look for modern takes on beer with brews like the Beetroot Sour, and take advantage of the daily food deals such as $12 burgers and fries on Fridays.

Address: 11 Oak Avenue, Miami

Lost Palms Brewing Company — You can’t miss this striking Gold Coast brewery.

5. Precinct Brewing Co.

Nestled in a different pocket of Miami is Precinct Brewing Co. — a converted workshop that’s now a full-working brewery. With beers on tap, a restaurant, and large communal spaces, along with open-air ceilings and transient artworks, you’ve got a contemporary, breezy, and welcoming brewery.

Address: 17 Christine Ave, Miami

Precinct Brewing Gold Coast — Step inside this converted workshop.

6. Burleigh Barrels Brewery

Close to the Burleigh surf break is Burleigh Barrels Brewery with award-winning beers and a delicious low ‘n’ slow BBQ smokehouse menu. With great vibes, live music, a dog-friendly beer garden, and plenty of events, it’s the perfect place to end a day or start a night out.

a BBQ smokehouse board at Burleigh Barrels Brewery, Gold Coast — Their BBQ smokehouse board is a must-try.

Address: 3-4/105 W Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Waters

7. Aardvark and Arrow Brewery

Aardvark and Arrow Brewery specialises in small-batch brewing and provides a wide range of beers, ciders, and seltzers to the Gold Coast community. On the third Friday of every month, you’re invited to their Friday Night Tasting events (5 to 8pm) to taste six of their brews via their self-serve taps (yes, you can help yourself!) and to feast on a BBQ dinner.

Address: 13 John Duncan Court, Varsity Lakes

8. Two Mates Taphouse

As the name suggests, Two Mates Taphouse was created by two mates, offering a delicious range of beer, cider, and kombucha. From its number one seller Lovemore Hazy Pale (a sunny yellow pale ale bursting with tropical and citrus notes) and Choc Cherry Porter to the Mango Pash Sour or Coconut Lime Cider, you’ll feel revitalised from the first sip. Want a bite on the side? The food menu included Buffalo wings, cheesy bread, burgers, and salads.

Address: 2/235 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes

the exterior view of the entrance at Two Mates Taphouse, Gold Coast — Sink a cold brew at Two Mates Taphouse.

9. Black Hops HQ

It started with three Brisbane mates who loved to drink beer together. Nothing too unusual about that in Australia, but what’s different about these buddies is that they’ve now created Black Hops Brewing which is rated among Australia’s top 10 breweries.

Located near the waves at Burleigh Point, Black Hops brewery is all about keeping it real, so you’ll be drinking from one of eight taps among stacks of kegs, fermenters, and malt sacks, but that’s what’s so great about Black Hops. It’s understated, yet somehow that makes it all the more trendy. Grab a tasting paddle and a bite to eat from the on-site food trucks every Friday and Saturday. If you fancy a change of pace, make sure to taste their refreshing Ginger Cider.

Address: 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads

Black Hops Brewery Gold Coast — Sink a few cold ones at Black Hops (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

10. Black Hops II

Black Hops is so popular, they had to create a second taphouse in Biggera Waters. Check out their 16 beers on tap, Trivia on Thursday nights and food trucks from Thursday to Sunday.

Address: 671 Pine Ridge Road, Biggera Waters

11. Burleigh Brewing Company

It was the Burleigh Brewing Company that started the whole independent craft brewing phenomenon on the Gold Coast. In 2006, everyone drank the same beer because there wasn’t any other choice, then a Hawaiian bloke and a Gold Coast woman got together and put it all on the line, giving up their old careers to introduce the Coast to craft beer. The rest, as they say, is history.

a bartender pouring local craft beer into a glass at Burleigh Brewing Company — Chug bottomless beers at Burleigh Brewing Company. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There have been stacks of World Beer Award Gold Medals along the way and today, their brewery is one of Burleigh’s trendiest spots, hosting live music on the weekend and food trucks. You can even bring your four-legged friends along!

Address: 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

a hand reaching for craft beers lined on the table, Gold Coast — Have a taste of their craft beers while you’re at it. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

12. Balter Brewing Company

What screams Gold Coast more than a brewery set up by some of the world’s top surfers? Introducing Balter Brewing Company in Currumbin, their mission is uncomplicated — combine good beer with enjoyment, which they execute beautifully as proven by their first-place win in the GABS Australian Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers awards.

a bartender pouring tap beer into a glass at Balter Brewing Company, Gold Coast — Try their fresh craft beer on tap.

With a rotating roster of fresh, limited-release beers, the best regional food trucks sitting outside, and live music humming in the background, there’s no hipper place to be on the weekend. Put simply, they know they’ve done their job well if people are walking out smiling.

Fancy learning more about how the beer you’re holding came to be? Join the Balter Brewery Tour run by their in-house beer guru. Plus, they’ll shout the first round!

Address: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin

a group of guests drinking and dining at Balter Brewing Company, Gold Coast — Chill with a drink in hand at Balter Brewing Company.

13. Fortitude Brewing Co.

Sitting in the Gold Coast Hinterland is Tamborine Mountain’s Fortitude Brewing Co. The two founders of Fortitude became mates at school, but their future as beer brewers was sealed when they had their first beer together and they realised that this should become their life’s work.

Today, Fortitude delivers a range of beers that bring together top-quality ingredients and bold flavours that linger refreshingly. Known as the Goldilocks of beers, you won’t find Fortitude on taps everywhere but when you do get a taste, you’ll know it’s just right. Pop over to this idyllic spot for a lazy afternoon session.

Address: 165 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain

Fortitude Brewing Co. Gold Coast Hinterland — Taste a range of beers with bold flavours.

14. Hop On Brewery Tours

Want to learn more about beer while enjoying a day out? Join a Hop On Brewery Tour and be chauffeured between the best Gold Coast breweries in a private, air-conditioned van. Choose between a half-day or full-day tour to see behind-the-scenes of your favourite beers.

a bartender preparing a Precinct Beer Paddle, Gold Coast — Start off your beer-tasting tour with a refreshing Precinct Beer Paddle.

For more activity ideas on your next trip to the Gold Coast, head to our Gold Coast travel guide.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

14 of the best craft beer breweries on the Gold Coast