8 Canberra Wineries You Need To Visit

Canberra’s wineries are beginning to rival some of the top names in vino.

There are more wineries around Canberra than you might expect – you only need to drive around 30 to 40 minutes outside of the CBD to enjoy award-winning creations and picturesque estates to drink them on.

Canberra’s winery culture technically began in the 1840s when the first vines were planted, but didn’t take off until the 1970s, when a few CSIRO scientists saw opportunity in the region’s cool climate and soil types. Now, wineries are popping up all around the city. These are some of the best.

1. Clonakilla

When acclaimed wine critic James Halliday calls one of your creations “an icon wine, one of the best in Australia", you’re likely doing something right. Naturally, this praise means you must visit Clonakilla in Murrumbateman.

The sprawling vineyard is set amongst rolling hills just off the Barton Highway. On any given day, you’ll find guests sitting outside and enjoying the sun on the patio, sipping the cellar door’s famed shiraz viognier. A blend that has won award after award with good reason, it has a smooth, velvety mouthfeel and complex spice that will win over any oenophile.

Clonakilla winery in Canberra — Sit outside to enjoy the sun on the back patio. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 3 Crisps Lane, Murrumbateman NSW

2. Four Winds Vineyard

Head north from Canberra for about 30-minutes in the car and you’ll stumble upon Four Winds Vineyard in Murrumbateman. This beautiful cellar door is home to multiple award-winning wines, from its 2021 chardonnay to its 2018 fortified shiraz.

Pop in for a tipple on the back deck overlooking the sprawling vineyard, where you can also devour a wood-fired, made-to-order pizza. Feeling fancy? Build your own platter from a selection of gourmet deli treats to pair perfectly with a wine or two.

Four Winds Vineyard in Canberra — The winery is a 30-minute drive from Canberra’s CBD. (Image: Four Winds Vineyard)

Address: 9 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman NSW

3. Shaw Estate

Although open all year round, Shaw Estate is particularly popular in the winter. Why? You can enjoy the winery’s premium tastings in its comforting lounge area, complete with warm, crackling fireplace.

Those visiting in summer will still benefit from Shaw’s exemplary tasting space. Opt for a seat on the spacious balcony overlooking the vines to enjoy the sun. If you’re after a bite to eat, be sure to order the small sharing menu, which comes with a bottle of wine at $65 a head.

pouring wine into the glass, Shaw Vineyard — Settle in for a tasting at Shaw Estate. (Image: Stuart Miller)

Address: 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman NSW

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4. Brindabella Hills

Just a 25-minute drive outside of Canberra, Brindabella Hills winery is an easy one to visit when in town. Set atop a granite ridge overlooking the stunning Murrumbidgee River, this Canberran cellar door has some of the best views of the bunch.

On the tastings list, you’ll find riesling, sauvignon blanc semillon, chardonnay, cabernet and shiraz. There is also a cafe and restaurant onsite so you can while away the afternoon in style. If you’re visiting on the weekend, don’t miss the ultimate wine tasting experience.

Brindabella Hills Winery in Canberra — Enjoy stunning views from Brindabella Hills. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Address: 156 Woodgrove Close, Wallaroo NSW

5. Helm Wines

Another historic winery in the Canberra region, Helm Wines was established in 1973 and has received a five-star rating from James Halliday, who named Helm the top winery in Canberra for nine years in a row, making it a must-visit when in town.

The winery specialises in riesling and cabernet sauvignon, both of which have won awards. Enjoy tastings in the unique cellar door space, housed in the heritage-listed 1888 Toual Schoolhouse, or go for a stroll through the picturesque vineyards.

Helm Wines in Canberra — Helm lives in a heritage-listed 1888 building. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 19 Butts Road, Murrumbateman NSW

6. Eden Road Wines

In 2017, Eden Road Wines went from a boutique Canberra winery to a region leader when award-winning French winemaker Celine Rousseau joined the team, bringing with her world-leading traditional techniques that focused on the terroir of the region.

Since then, Eden Road has gone on to become certified organic (in 2020) and developed a beautiful cellar door experience. What’s more? Your furry friend is welcome.

Eden Road Wines in Canberra — French winemaker Celine Rousseau heads up Eden Road. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 3182 Barton Highway, Murrumbateman NSW

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7. Pankhurst Wines

Pankhurst Wines began with pinot noir vines in 1986, which still produce award-winning bottles today. These days, the winery has expanded to various other wines, including chardonnay, marsanne, arneis, tempranillo and sangiovese.

The views from the cellar door are well worth a visit alone. If you need more encouragement, the winery is also known for its environmentally friendly practices, expert viticultural knowledge and, of course, jam-packed cheese platters.

enjoying food and wine on the table at Pankhurst Wines, Canberra — Indulge in exquisite flavours and spirits at Pankhurst Wines. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 56 Woodgrove Close, Wallaroo NSW

8. Mount Majura Vineyard

Founded in 1988, Mount Majura Vineyard is one of the few cellar doors in Canberra’s wine region that isn’t famed for its shiraz but for tempranillo. The full-bodied grape is now grown across three different sites in the vineyard, each developing a distinct taste when bottled.

If you’re more of a white wine enthusiast, Mount Majura is also fast becoming known for its rieslings too. Sip on a wine of your choice and bask in the winery’s rustic chic design. Or opt to laze on the lawn with a Piquette Picnic, packed with cheese, chutney, chocolate and more.

a vibrant interior at Mount Majura Vineyard — Mount Majura Vineyard is rustic and quaint. (Image: Kara Rosenlund for VisitCanberra)

Address: 88 Lime Kiln Road, Majura ACT

With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1 — Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

Morning colours

car on cable beach at sunrise — Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

Afternoon adventures

camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset — Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

Evening degustation

server at Cable Beach Club — Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

Beyond the beach

Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

Unmatched experiences

Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach — Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

Dining discoveries

Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

Natural beauties

Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome — Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.

8 Canberra wineries you need to visit