These spirits aren’t just inspired by the ocean; they’re made from it.
On South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, life is ruled by the tides. It’s a region famous for wild coastlines, fresh seafood and a thriving aquaculture industry, where everyone from fisherfolk to marine biologists make a living on the sea.
Wildly beautiful coastlines characterise Coffin Bay. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
But tucked between these sandy folds is something far more unexpected – a distillery redefining what it means to work with the ocean.
Don’t let its (slightly morbid) name fool you – Coffin Bay is a town full of colour and life. Over 600 kilometres south of Adelaide, it’s a place primarily known for its oyster production, a prosperous industry driven by local businesses offering everything from tours to tastings.
The Eyre Peninsula’s oyster production is an industry of abundance. (Image: Tourism Australia)
But on the other side of town, a small team is capturing the coast and its flavours in a whole new way. On the surface, Coffin Bay Spirits doesn’t seem too dissimilar to its neighbours, deeply rooted in its surrounds and championing local produce.
But take a closer look and you’ll start to notice the small differences that set it apart: hyperlocal ingredients, exclusive experiences, hands-on processes, and a product so specialised there’s nothing else quite like it.
A distillery doing things differently
Coffin Bay Spirits was officially opened in 2021 by owners Ben and Caro Deslandes.
Inspired by the region’s raw natural beauty and unique vegetation, local couple Ben and Caro Deslandes began experimenting with gin distillery in 2020. What started out as a fun hobby quickly evolved into something much bigger, leading to the official opening of Coffin Bay Spirits in 2021.
Hidden in a small pocket of Coffin Bay National Park on roughly 200 hectares of bushland, it’s the sort of place you’d breeze right past if you didn’t know about it.
This doesn’t bother the couple too much; the distillery is more of a passion project than a commercial venture. Ben and Caro never chased the crowds – but once their bottles hit shelves, the crowds found them anyway.
Each bottle is infused with hand-foraged local seaweed.
You see, the spirits produced here aren’t just inspired by the ocean; they’re made from it. Using a specialised fishing licence, the team – Ben, in particular – freedives for seaweed right off the national park’s shoreline. They collect fresh samples from eight different seaweed families, which are infused in the distillery’s four signature gins.
Samples from eight different seaweed families are used.
The Rare Coastal Gin is softened by locally foraged native juniper.
Expect a lingering sweetness from the Nitre Berry Gin.
The Nitre Berry Gin leans in gently, with a focus on sweet red fruit and a whisper of brine, while the Bush Blossom Gin is made with locally foraged natives, creating a more botanical profile.
Although softened by native juniper, the Rare Coastal Gin promises a true taste of the sea. The High Tide Gin embraces it completely, delivering an ‘oceanic mineral burst’ with an earthy black-pepper warmth.
A new experience in Coffin Bay
Since its conception, Coffin Bay Spirits has mostly operated behind closed doors. But in a moment of quiet reverence, small groups are now being accepted for exclusive tours and tastings.
Available by appointment only, the new Wild Spirits – A Seaweed & Botanical Exploration experience offers a rare glimpse inside the distillery and its workings of wizardry, all backdropped by pristine coastal bushland.
An exclusive tasting session includes fresh seafood paired with Coffin Bay cocktails.
Guests will be led through two tasting sessions. The first introduces your palate to the wild seaweed varieties and botanical plant species used to infuse the spirits, the second pairs a flight of specialty gin-based cocktails with local delicacies made from the same ingredients.
The three-hour tour, priced at $170 per adult, also includes transportation to and from Coffin Bay’s town centre. But watch this space. Ben and Caro Deslandes continue to work hard behind the scenes, with more exciting developments expected in the months ahead. We’ll cheers to that.
Coffin Bay Spirits is stocked widely across South Australia, or can be purchased directly online.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.
When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.
Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)
Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.
1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle
Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)
Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.
Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.
Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .
Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.
One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.
Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.
3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks
Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)
What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?
Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.
Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .
You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.
Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.
4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle
Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)
In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.
Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.
Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.
5. Newcastle nightlife
Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)
As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.
