One of the world’s best whiskies isn’t in Scotland; it’s actually in Renmark, South Australia. And it’s actually affordable.
Australian whisky has come a long way since its beginnings, and now we’re competing (and winning) on the world stage. The 2026 New York International Spirits Competition – an annual, globally recognised event – has just named 23rd Street Distillery in Renmark, South Australia, the Australian Distillery of the Year.
About the win
23rd Street Distillery earned unmatched scores.
For the second year in a row, 23rd Street Distillery has been named Australian Distillery of the Year. But in 2026, the judges’ scores made for an especially impressive milestone.
The distillery’s Australian single malt whisky took Double Gold with 96 points – an impressive score that placed it at the top of the entire competition, ahead of more than 500 whisky entries from 39 countries. For whisky lovers, this means it was judged to be better than whisky favourites like Glenmorangie Signet, Glenmorangie 18 Year Old, Highland Park 15 Year Old, The Glenrothes 18, Bruichladdich 18 and Crown Royal 31 Year Old – all of which retail for two to three times the price.
“We’re blown away! This recognition is built on beautiful Australian ingredients, hard work and a constant drive to refine what we do," said Paul Burnett, head distiller.
Visiting 23rd Street Distillery
Sit down at the distillery restaurant, Twenty Third Street. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
South Australia’s Riverland region may be lesser-known, but its position next to the Murray River and incredible food, wine and spirit offerings make it one worth discovering.
And it’s here, in the suburb of Renmark, that you’ll find 23rd Street Distillery. Inside a restored building from 1914, the distillery draws on the Riverland’s warm climate, historic copper pot stills and locally grown Australian barley to create whiskies with a distinctly Australian identity.
Really get to know the whiskies by joining a guided tasting flight, distillery tour or even a cocktail masterclass. And then line the stomach at the distillery restaurant, Twenty Third Street. Find wood-fired pizzas and a seasonal menu making the most of Riverland’s produce.
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Australian single malt whisky
Visit the distillery for whisky and gin tastings. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
The winning whisky is crafted using barley grown on Kangaroo Island and matured for a minimum of three years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels. The result? A golden amber-coloured drop with aromas of toffee, lifted fruit and delicate vanillin oak. The palate is described as full and lightly sweet, with citrus, apricot and malted milk, finishing with butterscotch oak and lingering warmth.
“Our focus on maturing in a variety of oak types and finishing in old fortified barrels brings a depth and complexity that truly defines our whiskies," said Burnett. “To be recognised alongside the world’s best is something we don’t take lightly. It’s a real milestone for the brand and a reminder that you can push boundaries while still keeping exceptional spirits within reach."
The details
Visit the winning distillery. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Address: Corner of Renmark Avenue and Twenty Third Street. Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday from 10am – 4pm, Thursday to Saturday from 10am – 10pm.
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Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
Monarto Safari Resort’s new Safari Lodge delivers so much more than a memorable stay; it’s packed full of unforgettable moments.
Just a year after the 78-room Monarto Safari Resort opened, the new Safari Lodge brings a more intimate and exclusive overnight African safari experience to Australia just outside of Adelaide. But just how similar is it to an African safari?
Consider these pinch-me moments I had during my stay and decide for yourself.
1. Cheetah sightings at check-in
Spot cheetahs before you even check in.
Safari Lodge is set within the Wild Africa precinct of the expansive, open-range Monarto Safari Park. I expected to see animals, but I didn’t expect to see two cheetahs stalking the fenceline just behind my tent at check-in.
I cross the paddock to get a closer look. Both are now perched like a sphinx on a hill overlooking the 20 premium tents that make up Safari Lodge. I stand here, locked in place, waiting to see if they make a move. After 10 minutes like this, I turn to get settled into the tent but throw a final look in their direction; they’ve slinked back down, now barely visible in the grass. I’m sure I’ll be dreaming about this encounter later tonight.
2. Sipping champagne as a giraffe sips from a waterhole
Enjoy champagne while meeting the locals. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The all-inclusive stay includes a 2.5-hour Sunset Safari that takes guests into the Wild Africa precinct onboard a purpose-built Safari Land Cruiser for a chance to see free-roaming herds of African animals up close.
The safari drive culminates in a champagne and canapé stop in a fenced and sheltered viewing area of the precinct. A chance to watch the sun set as animals gather around one of the many waterholes. And we’re in luck! Two giraffes are stripping leaves from a nearby tree as three white rhinos graze to my right. One giraffe starts galloping, in that funny head-bobbing way giraffes do, to the water’s edge. It splays its legs and bends its long neck down to start slurping up water. I find giraffes endlessly entertaining, and sipping champagne while watching the scene play out is the icing on the cake.
3. A rain shower with views of a waterhole where African animals gather
Enjoy views from the King Safari Tent.
I am staying in tent 17, one of the best positioned tents for animal encounters, due to its proximity to the waterhole. Not only does the spacious 71-square-metre King Safari Tent feature a king bed, lounge area, separate dressing room with kitchenette, coffee machine, kettle and fully stocked mini bar, and ensuite bathroom. But you can even glimpse the waterhole from the rain shower. It’s thoughtful details like this that keep you connected to the safari experience no matter where you are located.
4. Feeding lions from within a caged dome
Step into the Lion 360 experience. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Monarto Safari Park isn’t a zoo. Set across 1500 hectares of South Australian bushland, it’s an expansive safari experience. It’s been designed to support complex social groupings, natural behaviours and long-term species management. Entry is included for guests, but I’ve decided to upgrade my experience with tickets to Lion 360.
Senior Keeper Rachel Hemming herds 15 of us into a domed cage for the unique lion feeding experience. She leads Monarto’s care and conservation breeding programs for their iconic big cats. “Make sure you don’t get too close to the edge of the cage; the lions like to mark their territory,” she warns.
She starts making cat-like calls to Kubwa, Kashka and Kito, the three male lions lazing somewhere out of sight behind the tree line in the distance. The promise of food eventually lures the lions over. I’m in awe of their size as they pace back and forth, pausing to take the meat as it’s fed to them via tongs.
In her excitement, one lady has inched too close; a lion takes aim and hits his mark before she realises her mistake. I see her leaving the gift shop with a new jacket not long after the tour ends.
5. A swim in a private plunge pool with a floating charcuterie board
Tuck into a poolside treat. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The Safari Lodge reception is also home to a restaurant and bar, heated swimming pool and several private plunge pools available to book. After a morning spent at Monarto Safari Park, a dip in one of the private plunge pools sounds too good to skip.
I change into my swimmers and make my way to the lodge. A generous charcuterie board arrives shortly after I slip into the pool. I’m told floating trays are already on order, but picking at the selection of cheeses, meats, nuts and fruit while perched on the edge sipping champagne is just as indulgent as it is having it float in the water. I never make it to the gym or pickleball court beside the lodge, but I have no regrets.
6. A front-row seat to a male rhino rejected by two females
Watch a rhino’s unlucky day. (Credit: Lucas Alexander)
Louis Tonkin, our Wild Africa Tour host, is giddy with excitement when he spots the three white rhinos on our Sunset Safari drive. He has an inkling that we’re about to get a show.
He pulls to the side and tells us what terrible eyesight white rhinos have, struggling to spot a motionless animal or object even from a short distance. However, they make up for it with acute hearing and an incredible sense of smell. Which explains why the larger male rhino is methodically creeping towards the two disinterested females grazing metres in front of him, then suddenly freezing on the spot. He’s hoping one will be open to mating with him. He takes another wary shuffle forward and suddenly the smaller of the two turns and charges towards him, butting him hard with her head. It’s a firm no. The male, denied, sheepishly backs away.
7. Watching a dazzle of zebra from the comfort of a luxury safari tent
Wildlife encounters abound.
Rain clouds loom, and the wind is howling, but thankfully it hasn’t deterred the zebras. I’m brewing a cup of Monarto’s Serengé-T – a vanilla rooibos blended with Daintree black tea and butterfly pea flower when I spot them. Six zebras are prancing across the plains for a drink at the waterhole. I watch their antics from the deck of my King Safari Tent, wrapped in a merino blanket made by Australian-owned Grampians Good Co. and marvel at the fact I get a front-row show to these wild animals.
After they disappear from view, I sit with the sketch pad and pencils I find in the cupboard and start drawing some of my most memorable animal encounters from the weekend – starting with the two hippos I saw ravenously munching on grass at dusk as we made our way out of the Wild Africa precinct last night. This really is as close to an authentic safari experience as you can get outside of Africa.
