Gin tasting experiences: 11 of the best in Australia

Sip on some of the world’s best gins at these incredible distilleries.

Australia’s unique botanicals – many of which are found nowhere else on Earth – paired with trailblazing producers, have helped create some of the world’s finest gins, right on our doorstep. From Broome to Hobart, an innovative approach to gin production is making the spirit more popular – and more delicious – than ever. And plenty of top-notch distilleries across the country are sharing their knowledge and offering incredible gin tasting experiences.

Sip on some of the country’s finest drops at these world-class distilleries and discover what makes Aussie gin so special.

1. Archie Rose Distilling Co., NSW

A man pouring a gin cocktail. — Sip on some of Australia’s most awarded gins. (Image: Destination NSW)

One of Australia’s most beloved and renowned gin distillers (and for good reason), Archie Rose Distilling Co.’s gin tasting class is a must for any enthusiast or newbie to the spirit. In a one-hour session at their Rosebery cellar door, guests will explore the art of gin-making – sipping their way through the producer’s award-winning gins, limited editions and premium releases – while learning about the distillation process, garnishes and tonic pairings. You’ll also take home a 200ml bottle of their Signature Dry Gin – a contemporary Australian take on a classic dry gin – and a 500ml Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water to continue your spirited journey at home.

Price: $79 per person

Address: Archie Rose Bar and Cellar Door, 85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery

2. Millsheds Distillery & Bar, NSW

Once a live music venue, Bowral’s Millsheds Distillery & Bar has transformed into an award-winning boutique distillery. Nestled in the heart of Bowral, it has won silver medals at the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirits Competition, and its Highland Gin scored 93/100, placing it among the top gins in Australia. Their two-hour gin crafting workshop offers the ultimate experience, including gin tastings, a distillery tour, a botanical masterclass, sensory exploration, a grazing platter and the chance to create two 200ml bottles of your own bespoke gin.

Price: $149

Address: Shop 9/210-224 Bong Bong St, Bowral

3. Forty Spotted Gin, Tas

A gin making class set up. — Try your hand at creating a delicious Tassie gin.

Tasmania has no shortage of innovative distilleries, with Forty Spotted Gin standing out as a leader, especially if their distinctive bottle design is anything to go by. Harnessing native ingredients such as rooibos tea, Kakadu plum and Tasmanian pepperberry, their gins are known for their deliciously complex flavour profiles. Try your hand at creating something equally as tasty in their Gin Making Experience masterclass. Over the course of two hours, you’ll explore the world of gin while being expertly guided to create your own unique 200ml bottle – sniffing, sipping and discovering along the way.

Price: $99

Address: Level 1, 30 Argyle Street, Hobart

4. Lord Howe Island Distilling Co., NSW

Savouring gin on a World Heritage-listed Island? In our opinion, that’s paradise found. At Lord Howe Island Distilling Co ., you can get a behind-the-scenes look to learn about how the island’s first distillery produces its award-winning small batch gins. Co-founder Anthony Riddle leads the one-hour tasting, where you’ll sample gins crafted with locally foraged botanicals like the endemic Mountain Rose and native Sea Grapes, while also learning about the distillation process. More than just a gin tasting, this class aims to connect you with the essence of the island.

Price: $35

Address: 35 Middle Beach Rd, Lord Howe Island

5. Husk Farm Distillery, NSW

Three bottles of ink gin. — Sample the iconic purple Ink Gin. (Image: Destination NSW)

Husk Farm Distillery jumped on every gin lover’s radar when they released their iconic floral-infused Ink Gin that changes colour when you add your mixer of choice. This all-natural gin is enlivened with 12 botanicals including native lemon myrtle, orange peel and juniper. Learn all about their unique blends in the Ink Gin Experience workshop. Savour a cocktail as you explore the history of this refreshing spirit, then enjoy a guided tasting of four unique varieties and a hands-on cocktail masterclass.

The sprawling property in the lush Tweed region is delightful on warmer days, so enjoying a tipple in the garden is not to be missed.

Price: $72.86

Address: 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum

6. Darwin Distilling Co., NT

Founded in January 2020 by Rebecca Bullen, Darwin Distilling Co. crafts uniquely Top End gins by harvesting Territory botanicals, bottled with playful, locally-inspired labels. In the ‘Blend Your Own’ Gin Masterclass, you’ll learn how to mix a selection of gin bases with unique botanicals to create four tastings – then bottle up your favourite in a 500ml take-home keepsake.

If you want to take things to new heights, book the helicopter foraging tour where you will get to harvest native botanicals from the exclusive Finniss River Lodge, for your premium gin-making experience

Price: $150

Address: via, Level 1, 56 Smith St, Austin Ln, Darwin City

7. Moontide Distillery, WA

Three gin cocktails with garnishes. — Small-batch spirits hero native ingredients from the Kimberley.

If you’re able to tear yourself away from the picturesque landscape of Broome, head straight to the town’s only distillery, Moontide Distillery . Nestled among mango trees, this hidden gem makes small-batch spirits that hero native ingredients from the Kimberley, such as Kakadu plum and white berry bush. Escape the heat and enjoy a relaxed tasting experience with three mini mixed beverages or straight spirit samples, like the White Pearl Gin, which features notes of mango, tamarind, sandalwood, and lemon myrtle. Order a cheeseboard for the perfect accompaniment.

Price: $29

Address: 17 Gwendoline Crossing, Bilingurr, Broome

8. Four Pillars, Vic

Forget wine when you head to the Yarra Valley, and make a beeline for Four Pillars . This Aussie icon has won the International Gin Producer of the Year award at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London three times, and if that isn’t enough to convince you to go for a gin tasting, not much else will. Renowned for their innovative gin-making approach and bold, contemporary flavours (Think: The Bloody Shiraz Gin, crafted by steeping Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes in Rare Dry Gin), Four Pillars offer a gin tasting experience you won’t forget.

Book in for a 55-minute tasting on the Mezzanine, which includes a signature G&T on arrival, followed by a tasting of five of their flavour-packed concoctions. If you loved what you tried, you can use the $25 off your gin retail purchase and take home your favourites.

Price: $50

Address: 2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville

9. Never Never Distilling Co., SA

A man making gin cocktails outside. — Drink in idyllic Yarra Valley views. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Once occupying a 16-square-metre space in Adelaide, the Never Never Distilling Co. now occupies a sprawling property atop Chalk Hill in McLaren Vale. What hasn’t changed, however, is its commitment to crafting flavour-forward gins. Reserve a space for The Premium Gin Masterclass, which begins with a drink in hand as you walk around the expansive grounds, learning about the distillery and the gin-making process. This is followed by a tasting of their signature drops – including the Triple Juniper Export Strength, which won World’s Best London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards in London in 2022 – to be enjoyed while drinking in sweeping views of the rolling McLaren Vale hills, and ending with a cocktail. Visitors won’t walk away empty-handed, as a goody bag packed with Never Never treats is the final touch of the journey.

Price: $145

Address: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale

10. Kangaroo Island Spirits, SA

A display of Kangaroo Island Spirits gins. — Kangaroo Island Spirits produced the first 100 per cent Australian-grown juniper gin. (Image: Kangaroo Island Spirits)

Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery has been sitting pretty on the idyllic Kangaroo Island since 2006, where 230 boobialla (native juniper) were planted on site. Fast forward to 2023, and Kangaroo Island Spirits proudly produced the world’s first 100 per cent Australian-grown juniper gin. It’s this dedication to the spirit that beckons gin lovers for a tasting.

Enjoy five of their expertly crafted gins that champion native ingredients like the coastal daisy, matched with tonic and garnishes. The experience also includes a tour of the distillery and interpretive garden.

Price: $40

Address: 856 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River

11. Distillery Botanica, NSW

The botanical garden at Distillery Botanica. — Stroll through the elegantly tended gardens hand-picking your own gin botanicals.

Hiding in the Central Coast, Distillery Botanica has recently opened a cellar door surrounded by expansive botanical gardens. Independently owned by herbalist and master distiller Philip Moore, Distillery Botanica produces a range of top-notch drops that hero native ingredients, including the award-winning Moore’s Dry Gin with lemon myrtle, finger lime and pepperberry.

Join in for a Distil Your Own Gin Workshop to concoct your bespoke 700ml bottle, guided by a tasting session and a foraging experience in the garden. The workshop also includes teachings on how to make the perfect G&T or gin and soda, and the perfect garnish to top it off.

Price: $180

Address: 25 Portsmouth Rd, Erina

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead. — Dine in the heart of nature.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation. — Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

The rooms

A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

The facilities

There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks. — Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity. — Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

The rooms

Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below. — Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

The facilities

Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty. — Experience thrilling nature activities.

Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.

11 of the best gin tasting experiences across Australia

Sip on some of the world’s best gins at these incredible distilleries.

1. Archie Rose Distilling Co., NSW

2. Millsheds Distillery & Bar, NSW

3. Forty Spotted Gin, Tas

4. Lord Howe Island Distilling Co., NSW

5. Husk Farm Distillery, NSW

6. Darwin Distilling Co., NT

7. Moontide Distillery, WA

8. Four Pillars, Vic

9. Never Never Distilling Co., SA

10. Kangaroo Island Spirits, SA

11. Distillery Botanica, NSW

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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities