The hidden-gem wineries of Mount Gambier you need to know about

Tahlia PritchardBy Tahlia Pritchard
hero media
Explore the lush family-owned vineyards and intimate cellars in one of Australia’s emerging wine regions, known for its smooth and tasty pinot noir.

South Australia may be well known for the Barossa when it comes to wine, but Mount Gambier, located in the heart of the Limestone Coast in South Australia, is quickly building itself up as an exciting premium wine region. From its smooth whites to fragrant reds, teamed with the spectacular countryside and lake-filled volcanoes, Mount Gambier is a picture-perfect place for an indulgent wine tour.

From family-run wineries to boutique vineyards, Mount Gambier may be Australia’s youngest wine region but due to the climate of the region and the rich volcanic soils, it’s becoming more well-known for producing prized wines, especially with its pinot noir varieties.

Here’s a guide to get you started on where you should be sipping when you visit the stunning Mount Gambier region.

1. Herbert Vineyard

Renowned for its smooth and silky pinot noir, Herbert Vineyard  resides close to the centre of Mount Gambier, a mere five-minute drive from the city centre. Not only is the wine fragrant and light, but it also pairs perfectly with the delicious fresh bread served alongside olive oil from the family’s olive farm.

Bonus for families travelling in the region – the vineyard also has a maze for the kids to frolic in while you sample some of the best wine not only in the region, but in the state.

an aerial shot of Herbert Vineyard
Herbert Vineyard spans diverse patches of verdant greenery. (Image: David Herbert)

2. Noski Wines

A hidden gem in the Mount Gambier winery scene, this boutique winery  is home to some delicious, well-valued wine. Located on the slopes of the stunning Blue Lake, the fertile volcanic soils have benefited the array of premium wines on offer, including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and of course, another stellar pinot noir variety. All the grapes are hand-picked, which means it’s only the highest quality in each bottle. While it’s less than a 10-minute drive from the heart of Mount Gambier, make sure to call and book ahead for a tasting session – the reviews will entice you in, and the generous tasting pours will definitely make your experience a merry one.

3. Square Mile Estate

A smaller vineyard but still a must-visit, Square Mile Estate is a boutique winery  that lays on the outskirts of Mount Gambier, a 10-minute drive from the main area. The winery boasts a warm and cosy atmosphere, with friendly service that tops off the beautiful wine perfectly. You’ll leave with a fuzzy feeling, big smile, and, of course, a couple of bottles of delicious red to enjoy later.

4. Caroline Hills

Producing small-batch wines using minimal intervention and utilising hand plunging and pumping, Caroline Hills  is open Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and by appointment for tasting and sales.

When visiting, you can also enjoy a beautiful tasting plate to go along with your wine experience. Located 15 minutes from the main Mount Gambier centre, the vineyard focuses on wines from their pinot noir and pinot gris grapes and all wines are bottled with low sulphur.

5. Haig Vineyard

Established in 1982, Haig’s was the first commercial winery in the Mount Gambier region, and is well-known for its crisp, late-harvest chardonnay, cab sav, and pinot noir. Open daily from 11am to 5pm, Haig’s is located near local attractions such as the Blue Lake, Piccaninnie Ponds Conversation Park, and the magnificent Umpherston Sinkhole, so stop by for a drop before exploring some of Mount Gambier’s most awe-inspiring attractions.

For more foodie tips when visiting Mount Gambier, read our guide to the best Mount Gambier restaurants.
Tahlia Pritchard
See all articles
Close up image of a freshly flame grilled vegetarian halloumi cheeseburger on a wooden counter at an outdoor food market. This burger is loaded with a vegetarian burger meat substitute, fresh salad, melted halloumi cheese and spanish onion and tomato. The burger is sandwiched between glazed buns.
Mt Gambier

7 excellent Mount Gambier restaurants to try now

From a scene-stealing country steakhouse to a fine dining eatery, these are the Mount Gambier restaurants worth visiting. 

Read more
Mount Gambier Sinkholes
Mt Gambier

The fascinating sinkholes in Mount Gambier to visit

Fancy a swim in a dazzling cobalt waterway, or a stroll around a lush, emerald wonderland? The famous Mount Gambier sinkholes can set the mood for every kind of adventure.

Read more
swimming at Little Blue Lake, Mount Gambier
Mt Gambier

The perfect 3-day Mount Gambier itinerary

As this action-packed three-day itinerary around Mount Gambier shows, there are unlimited experiences to be had in this one location.

Read more
the Little Blue Lake sinkhole in Mt Gambier
Mt Gambier

A guide to the magical blue lakes of Mount Gambier

With its vibrant hue, Blue Lake Mount Gambier is celebrated for all the right reasons, but the good news? There’s plenty more where that came from. 

Read more
hero media

5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
    Continue
    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.