Drink a dram of estate-grown rye on the very farm where it was grown and made, or try a nip of multi-award-winning sheep’s whey vodka while overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
Tasmania’s cachet as a gourmet destination that’s ripe for touring is now well and truly established. But food and wine aside, it’s Tassie’s burgeoning spirits scene that’s drawing international acclaim and driving visitors to its shores. Whatever your poison — vodka, whisky, gin — you’ll find it here on the Apple Isle, with Hobart distilleries often occupying dreamy country settings with bucolic farmland views.
Yet the island’s best experiences are by no means confined to the countryside. In leafy greater Hobart, you’ll find a clutch of inviting distilleries that more than merit a window in your holiday itinerary. Read on for eight of the best Hobart distilleries to visit next time you’re in the harbour city.
1. Lark Distillery, Pontville
Not a big fan of whisky? The setting at Lark’s Pontville distillery alone could likely convert you to the amber side.
A ‘working whisky village’ set among restored historical buildings that date back to the early 1800s, which preside over a picture-perfect slice of Tassie countryside on Hobart’s rural-urban fringe, Lark’s distillery door offers tours, tastings and a whisky blending class.
Though it’s predominantly known for its whisky, this Hobart distillery also produces gin through its Forty Spotted label, which you can sample at Lark’s cellar door.
Australia’s oldest single malt whisky maker also has several Hobart CBD venues, including a historical cellar door that offers whisky flights and, a schmick cocktail lounge (The Still) that spotlights whisky in all its forms.
Address: 76 Shene Rd, Pontville
2. Sullivan’s Cove, Cambridge
Laying claim to the hallowed title of Australia’s most awarded whisky, Sullivan’s Cove is a distillery that’s serious about its craft.
Its French Oak Single Cask and American Oak Single Cask whiskies are particular standouts, both having been named among the globe’s best.
Taste Sullivan’s Cove single malt straight from the source at its Cambridge distillery door and decide if the premium whisky label is worthy of its many titles for yourself.
Following a $14m revamp in late 2024, Sullivan’s Cove now boasts a slick new tasting bar/visitor centre, all curved lines, moody lighting, mid-century modern furniture, and earthy tones such as mustard yellow, olive green and amber. From this aesthetically appealing second-floor lounge you can gaze out over the guts of the operation – the copper stills and fermentation tanks gleaming through the windows.
Beyond the distillery’s tastings (choose from a brandy flight, a whisky flight, or a premium whisky flight that features rare releases), visitors can also take part in a tour that promises a deep dive into the world of whisky making.
Address: 1/10 Lamb Place, Cambridge
3. Hartshorn Distillery, Birchs Bay
Plenty of distilleries lay claim to the title of brewing the kookiest, most unique spirits, but few hold a candle to Hartshorn when it comes to the singularity of product.
Producing small-batch spirits from sheep whey (a by-product of cheese manufacturing, and an element that is often tipped straight in the bin), this Birchs Bay distillery is wildly sustainable and was born out of a desire to reduce waste and challenge the processes involved in traditional spirit making.
Its firstborn — sheep whey vodka — boasts a litany of accolades to its name, including the ‘World’s Best Vodka’ and ‘Australian Beverage of the Year’ to call out but a few. They’ve since added gin, a vanilla liqueur, and a ‘whey-sky’ to the mix.
The humble and homely distillery door offers four main experiences:
- A 20-minute guided ‘Tasting Teaser’ which covers both handcrafted farmhouse sheep’s cheese, produced by sister company Grandvewe, and its house spirits
- A one-hour gin-making class
- A one-hour butter-making class
- And a 1.5-hour tour of the whole operation (including a welcome sheep milk hot drink on arrival; a glimpse into the distillery and the cheese factory; tastings of the house spirits and cheeses, and a sheep milk hand cream to take home).
Less well-organised patrons can also roll up on the day for a cheese platter and a drink on the deck with a side serving of water views.
Address: The Ewenique Tasting House, 59 Devlyns Rd, Birchs Bay
4. 7K Distillery, Derwent Park
Known for its friendly and accommodating team, the 7K Derwent Park distillery produces craft whisky and gin. The proud producers of ‘the world’s hottest gin’ — made with Scoville scale topper the Carolina Reaper — as well as a ‘dry chilli’ number, there’s plenty to write home about 7K.
But those with less outlandish palates won’t be left wanting either: the boutique distillery also offers a much smoother Modern Tasmanian Gin, a fragrant and fruity raspberry gin, a single malt whisky, and also coffee liqueur that’s perfect for fixing up a pre-dinner espresso martini that packs a punch.
Distillery tours are now on pause, as the team builds a new site in Hayes. In the meantime, they’ve opened up a Tasting House at 55 Hamilton Road, New Norfolk (45 minutes away from the Hobart CBD).
Address: 55 Hamilton Rd, New Norfolk
5. Killara Distillery, Richmond
Owned and operated by Kristy Booth-Lark, the scion of none other than whisky distiller extraordinaire Bill Lark of Lark Distillery — where she also previously worked as head distiller and general manager — you can expect great things from this boutique Hobart distillery.
The brand’s focus is on single malt whisky and gin, though Kristy also dabbles in other spirits, such as vodka, and produces an intriguing ‘bush liqueur’ made from foraged Tasmanian pepperberries.
Tucked away down a country lane on the outskirts of Richmond, Killara’s modern yet compact distillery door is quite the apparition with its smoky grey exterior and huge picture window that overlooks the surrounding greenery.
There are a number of different opportunities to become more acquainted with Kristy’s fine work onsite: think tasting experiences, distillery tours, and — for the more serious whisky connoisseur and budding brewer — a three-day ‘distillery school’ masterclass.
Address: 32 Ogilvie Ln, Richmond
6. Belgrove Distillery, Kempton
The very antithesis of Australia’s big-name distillers, with their immaculate branding and distillery doors conceptualised by fancy architects and bigwig interior designers, Belgrove is a breath of fresh air.
The first rye distillery in Australia and the only bio-diesel (cooking oil) powered still in the world, this Kempton distillery and working farm is endearingly rustic.
It’s also one of the few whisky distilleries on the globe to do everything onsite, from growing and harvesting all its grain, to malting, fermenting, distilling and barrel ageing.
As owner/operator (and master distiller) Peter Bignell refers to it, Belgrove Distillery represents a true ‘dirt to drink’ experience. Call ahead to organise a visit — Peter warmly welcomes visitors, but by appointment only.
Address: 3121 Midland Hwy, Kempton
7. Derwent Distillery, Dromedary
A local newcomer, Derwent Distillery is a laid-back, husband-and-wife-run outfit, located on the bucolic banks of the Derwent River, a 30-minute drive from the heart of Hobart.
You’ll find single malt whisky and organic gin as well as liqueur on offer here at the hands of experienced owners Robbie and Emma Gilligan, who, between them, have worked for the likes of Lark, Overeem, Redlands Distillery and Old Kempton Distillery.
Drop in for a nip of neat whisky (open Wednesday to Friday 12-4, or Saturdays by appointment), and admire the uninterrupted river views — that is save for the occasional ‘distillery alpaca’ cruising by. You might even glimpse a sighting of black cockatoos, eagles or red robins while you’re on the distillery grounds.
Address: 715 Boyer Rd, Dromedary
8. Spring Bay Distillery, Cambridge
While this distillery’s original site is still located in the likes of its namesake, Spring Bay (some 84 kilometres north of Hobart), it does, conveniently, now operate a ‘grain-to-glass’ facility in Cambridge, just a four-minute drive down the road from Sullivan’s Cove. It would be rude not to, right? This family-run operation is by no means as glamorous as its neighbour, but the spirits on offer (whisky, gin, vodka) have received plenty of international acclaim, plus the distillery tours run by spirit makers Taz and Dan are imbued with oodles of technical knowledge, enthusiasm and good yarns.
Address: 205 Kennedy Dr, Cambridge
Beyond the tours, visitors can rock up to Spring Bay Distillery for a whisky or gin tasting flight.
