5 Hidden-Gem Mount Gambier Wineries

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.

Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism — Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs — Let mineral-rich water heal you.

If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

3. Take to the air at Princetown

12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road — See an icon from a different view.

You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum , a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave — Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB — Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour — Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red .

While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.

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