Bass & Flinders Distillery

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 18 October 2026

Top-rated and notable new or rising Australian spirit brands span multiple categories based on recent industry evaluations like the Halliday Spirits awards and popular spirits lists:

### Top-Rated & Rising Australian Spirits

- Furneaux & Sullivans Cove (Whisky): Leading Tasmanian single malts scoring near the top (95-97 points) in recent evaluations. - Kangaroo Island Spirits (Whisky): Gained attention with their Single Malt Bourbon Cask finished in ex-Jack Daniel's, Heaven Hill, and Buffalo Trace casks with a signature regional herbal note. - Melbourne Gin Company & Millsheds (Gin): Standout craft gin producers scoring 95-96 points for their botanical expressions. - White Possum (Amaretto / Liqueurs): Recognized as a top contender in national spirit popularity and awards lists for unique local liqueurs. - Lost Phoenix (Vodka): High-scoring clean craft vodka (92-95 points). - Canberra Distillery (Rum) & Bass & Flinders (Brandy): Noted high-scorers representing emerging regional rum and barrel-aged brandies. - Waub's Harbour & Spring Bay (Whisky): Recommended second-generation Tasmanian distillers pushing innovative coastal maturation.

Explore curated Australian bottle selections directly via Dan Murphy's New Releases or check profiles on the Halliday Wine Companion.If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

- What type of spirit you prefer (whisky, gin, rum, liqueur, etc.) - Whether you are looking for a gift or a bottle to sip or mix in cocktails

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 18 October 2026

# Australia's best distilleries to visit

Australia has an outstanding craft spirits scene, from Tasmania's celebrated single-malt whisky to Victoria's gin trail, South Australia's native-botanical spirits and Queensland's iconic rum. The best distillery for you depends on whether you're after exceptional whisky, a memorable tasting experience, beautiful scenery or a great weekend away. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.au

Here's my shortlist of distilleries worth exploring, covering standout producers across the country rather than just one type of spirit.

## 10 Australian distilleries worth putting on your list

!Sullivans Cove | Broadsheet

## 1\. Sullivans Cove Distillery

Cambridge, Tasmania · Single-malt whisky

A must-consider for serious whisky enthusiasts. Known internationally for premium Tasmanian single malts, with guided tastings and opportunities to sample special releases. A good choice if the whisky itself is the main event. www.tripadvisor.comwanderer.cmca.au

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!LARK Distillery, Pontville

## 2\. LARK Distillery

Pontville, Tasmania · Whisky

A strong all-round visitor experience, combining Tasmanian whisky heritage, historic buildings, guided tours and tastings. Particularly appealing if you want to learn about the craft as well as drink the whisky. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.google.com

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!Four Pillars Gin Distillery | Best Restaurants Australia

## 3\. Four Pillars Gin Distillery

Healesville, Victoria · Gin

One of the easiest recommendations for a fun distillery day out. Expect distinctive Australian botanical flavours, gin flights, cocktails, tours and food in the Yarra Valley. Excellent for a group or weekend escape from Melbourne. www.tripadvisor.comwww.visitvictoria.com

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!Whisky Distillery in Port Melbourne | Starward

## 4\. Starward Distillery

Port Melbourne, Victoria · Whisky

A great urban distillery visit, especially if you enjoy contemporary Australian whisky matured in Australian wine barrels. Convenient for a tasting, cocktails or a guided experience without leaving Melbourne. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwanderer.cmca.auwww.tripadvisor.com

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!Discover Our Events & Experiences | Archie Rose

## 5\. Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Rosebery, Sydney · Gin, whisky and other spirits

Ideal for a city-based spirits experience, with tasting flights, cocktails, guided tours and hands-on blending classes. Particularly good for people who want to explore several spirit styles in one place. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

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!Hoochery Distillery - All You SHOULD Know Before You Go 2026 (w/ Reviews & Photos)

## 6\. Hoochery Distillery

Kununurra, WA · Rum

A characterful, remote destination in the Kimberley, known for rum made using locally grown sugar cane. Best for travellers who want an authentic regional experience alongside their spirits tasting. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

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!Kangaroo Island Spirits - Cygnet River, Food and Drink | South Au...

## 7\. Kangaroo Island Spirits

Kangaroo Island, SA · Gin and liqueurs

A relaxed cellar-door experience featuring small-batch spirits, gin tastings and cocktail masterclasses. Particularly appealing when combined with Kangaroo Island's wildlife, seafood and coastal scenery. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

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!botanical profile: karkalla - Applewood Distillery

## 8\. Applewood Distillery

Adelaide Hills, SA · Gin and native botanical spirits

Worth seeking out for spirits that explore Australian native ingredients and unconventional flavours. A good addition to an Adelaide Hills food, wine and spirits itinerary. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

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!Spirit Of Bundaberg | Journeys | Queensland

## 9\. Bundaberg Rum Distillery

Bundaberg, QLD · Rum

An iconic Australian spirits destination with a long production history, guided tours and tasting experiences. Great for anyone interested in traditional rum-making and Australian distilling heritage. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

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![About Us - Gin & Brandy Distillery In Mornington - Bass & Flinders Distillery](

## 10\. Bass & Flinders Distillery

Dromana, Victoria · Gin, brandy and liqueurs

A particularly good option for a leisurely Mornington Peninsula outing, with creative gins, tasting paddles and experiences such as gin masterclasses and gin high tea. www.australia.comwww.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.tripadvisor.comwww.tripadvisor.com

Official website

## Find them on the map

## Which distilleries are best for what?

| If you're looking for… | Start with | |--------|--------| | Premium Australian whisky | Sullivans Cove | | Best all-round gin outing | Four Pillars | | Whisky near Melbourne | Starward | | Historic setting and whisky tours | LARK | | A spirits experience in Sydney | Archie Rose | | A scenic island escape | Kangaroo Island Spirits | | An iconic rum experience | Bundaberg Rum | | Gin, food and a weekend away | Bass & Flinders |

These are recommendations based on each distillery's signature spirits and visitor experience, rather than a definitive national ranking.

## My recommendation

If you're starting from Melbourne, I'd begin with Four Pillars in Healesville for a dedicated distillery day, or Starward for a convenient city visit. For a dedicated whisky trip, Tasmania is especially appealing, with Sullivans Cove and LARK offering different styles of tasting experience. www.visitvictoria.comsitchu.com.auwww.australia.com

One question: are you most interested in the quality of the spirits themselves, the visitor experience, or a scenic distillery road trip? That would help me narrow this down to the best five for you.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 18 October 2026

Australia's best boutique distilleries span world-class whisky, distinctive gin, and native-botanical spirits. A strong shortlist is:

- Sullivan's Cove - Hobart, Tasmania: Exceptional single malt whisky; its French Oak expression won World's Best Single Malt at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. - Archie Rose - Sydney, New South Wales: Innovative, urban distillery known for gin, whisky, vodka, and a polished cocktail bar. - Four Pillars - Healesville, Victoria: One of Australia's most acclaimed gin producers, with an excellent cellar door and cocktail program. - Lark Distillery - Hobart, Tasmania: A foundational Tasmanian whisky producer with strong single-malt releases. - Starward - Melbourne, Victoria: Award-winning whisky matured in Melbourne's climate and often finished in Australian wine barrels. - Bass & Flinders - Dromana, Victoria: Particularly good for grape-based spirits, including gin, brandy, and grappa. - Tamborine Mountain Distillery - Queensland: Boutique spirits using native ingredients and local flora. - Cauldron Distillery - Mount Tamborine, Queensland: Produces gin, single-malt whisky, vodka, vermouth, and liqueurs; its Five-to-Five gin is a signature product. - Reed & Co Distillery - Bright, Victoria: Small-batch distillery making distinctive spirits in Victoria's Alpine region. - Whipper Snapper Distillery - Perth, Western Australia: Best known for soft, complex American-style whiskies. - Drifters End Distilling Co - Tasmania: Independent, sisters-owned boutique distillery with a distinctly Tasmanian focus. - Bakery Hill - Melbourne, Victoria: A specialist whisky producer, notable for its peated Australian single malt.

Best by interest:

- For whisky: Sullivan's Cove, Lark, Starward, Bakery Hill - For gin: Four Pillars, Archie Rose, Cauldron - For regional character: Drifters End, Reed & Co, Tamborine Mountain Distillery - Best distillery visits: Four Pillars, Archie Rose, Sullivan's Cove, and Tamborine Mountain Distillery