Raise Your Spirits At A Gold Coast Distillery

Raise Your Spirits At A Gold Coast Distillery

21 Feb 2022

We've got endless beaches, award-winning restaurants and craft breweries galore on the Gold Coast, but did you know it's also home to a bunch of seriously amazing distilleries? From artisan gin and botanical vodka to moreish spiced rum, treat yourself to some sensory pleasure and pay a visit to a Gold Coast distillery to taste some quality tipples.

GRANDDAD JACKS CRAFT DISTILLERY

Nestled in the heart of Miami Granddad Jack’s is absolutely one of the best Gold Coast distilleries. The first of its kind on the Coast, the family-run business creates artisan gin (Green House, 65 Miles and Two Pencils are their core range) as well as vodka, coffee liqueur and special, limited-run tipples like Pavlova Gin and Pumpkin Spice Moonshine. Stop by on a weekend, pull up a stool and listen to live music while sipping on a signature tipple. Even better, it’s BYO food, so you can Uber Eats your heart out. Pro tip: Be sure to book into one of their ‘craft your own gin’ workshops.
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami

CAPRICORN DISTILLING CO. 

This small-batch distillery was originally established in Rockhampton, under the well-loved Saleyards Distillery name. Fortunately for us, the masterminds behind it decided to expand production and bless the Gold Coast with their delicious drops. On the menu at Capricorn Distilling Co. you’ll find their signature spiced rum (which won the ‘World’s Best Spiced Rum’ at London’s prestigious World Rum Awards) plus a coffee rum, a barrel-aged gin and a signature summer gin infused with 19 different botanicals, including native finger lime, ruby grapefruit and lemon myrtle. Drop in for a complimentary tasting at the cellar door, then move onto the bar for a cheese board and tasting paddle.
Where: 21 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

WILD FLOWER GIN

Put this award-winning boutique distillery to the top of your must visit list. Originally starting out as a small-batch cellar door, locals begged founder James Greig to create an on-site bar and thankfully he listened—so now you can stay and sip Wild Flower’s tasty tipples. Be sure to try their signature Wild Flower Gin, made with juniper, lemon myrtle and hints of the distiller’s backyard honey. Or their limited release, Lamington Vodka—made with distilled local strawberries, cocoa and coconut, plus pure Australian wheat and water from Tamborine Mountain. They also offer a ‘make your own gin class’ – the perfect gift for the gin-lover in your life. 
Where:
2/486 Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

Boasting over 300 international awards, it’s easy to see why this gem made our list of the best Gold Coast distilleries. Located in the lush hinterland, this much-loved distillery looks like something out of an English fairytale. Inside the Elizabethan tudor-style building you’ll find everything from liqueurs, schnapps, vodka, gins and even hand made liqueur chocolates. Gather your friends and head straight to the tasting room, where the friendly experts will take your tastebuds on an adventure (the Lilly Pilly Gin and Toffee Wattle Liqueur are a must try). Unsurprisingly, this place gets busy on weekends, so book a table ahead of time to sink some cocktails and soak up all the good vibes Mount Tamborine has to offer.
Where: 10 Macdonnell Road, Tamborine Mountain

BEECH MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

Nestled in the rolling hills of beautiful Lower Beechmont, you’ll find this family-run micro distillery that will steal your heart as well as your tastebuds. Beech Mountain Distillery is known for their unique spirits, crafted using locally sourced, native ingredients—most straight from the Beechmont community. With sustainability at the heart of this distillery, expect small batches made in an eco conscious way. While there is no onsite bar, you can book a private appointment (up to four guests at a time) to taste and purchase their spirits, like the zesty Lemon Myrtle Gin, or the uber vibrant Rose and Hibiscus Gin.
Where: 33 Loop Road, Lower Beechmont

HUSK DISTILLERS

Ok, so we’re cheating a little bit here with this inclusion but located just 15 minutes drive south of Coolangatta, we’re claiming Husk Distillers as our own. While it’s Australia’s only single estate rum distillery, Husk Distillers is perhaps most famous for their purple-hued Ink Gin. This magical brew changes colour when you add a squueze of citrus and  is best sipped in the sunshine at Husk’s stunning distillery set on 150 acres of lush greenery. Boasting sweeping views across the valley to Wollumbin, you can visit the cellar door, take a tour or simply grab a picnic and sip on cocktails. There’s even an on site restaurant (the Clarence Valley butterflied lamb shoulder is a must do) so you can spend all day at this glorious spot.
Where:
1152 Dulguigan Road, North Tumbulgum

PANEZSKI ARTISAN DISTILLERY

This small batch distillery is all about crafting the perfect bottle of Polish vodka—and they’ve got the formula down to a tasty tee. Panezski Artisan Distillery are famous for their creamy warm texture vodka, made with family recipes that have been handed from generation to generation. Not only that, but Panezski is one of only a handful of distillers producing 100% of their spirits from raw ingredients, selecting only the best grains available. To truly experience their spirits the right way, head to their 1920s tasting room and cocktail lounge to sample their rye and wheat vodka or their tasty citrus gin.
Where: 1/28 Activity Crescent, Molendinar

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Morgan Reardon
Morgan Reardon

Growing up on the GC and seeing it grow and expand over the years means you'll be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about this slice of paradise than Morgan. A journalist for over a decade, you'll often find her nose deep in a good book, interviewing creatives and sharing their stories, writing her first novel, planning her next adventure or most likely—sipping margaritas in Burleigh with her mates.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. 
 
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.