Sip Your Way Along the Great Ocean Road: Our Fave Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries
Dotted around the Great Ocean Road coast and countryside are some incredible wineries, breweries, and distilleries to discover.
Settle in for a long lunch among the vines or enjoy a relaxed afternoon at a brewery with good vibes and live music. Whether you’re looking for somewhere where the kids can run wild or a romantic weekend escape, here’s your ultimate list of vineyards, breweries, and distilleries.
Macarthur
Suffoir Winery, Brewery & Distillery
This micro-winery has mastered the art of winemaking and so much more. Suffoir is a family-owned and run boutique winery, brewery, cidery and distillery near Budj Bim National Park. All their drops are produced on-site in small quantities, so every visit can be different. Head to the cellar door for a tasting and a cheese board. It’s sipper’s choice here, will it be a wine tasting, craft beer selection or a gin paddle?
Apollo Bay
Great Ocean Road Brewhouse
Pull up a stool and enjoy a paddle at the #1 craft beer destination on the Great Ocean Road – a tasting room serving over 100 Australian beers. The mission of Great Ocean Road Brewhouse is to help locals and tourists alike to get ‘Tastes of the region’ promoting fellow makers in the Otway and Great Ocean Road region. The friendly staff love a chat and sharing their knowledge about Australian craft beers (pouring 15 on tap), the brewing process and their tips for the best local produce.
Sample them for yourself with a choice of three delicious tasting platters or head into the brewer’s award-winning bistro for a pub classic meal. This is one of the oldest hotels on the Great Ocean Road and the seasonal menu features local farmers and producers too.
Koroit
Noodledoof
Venture off the Great Ocean Road to the quaint Irish village nestled on the slope of a dormant volcano of Tower Hill. Here you will find a craft brewery, distillery, cafe and event space tucked away in a refurbished motor garage.
Noodledoof was created by two mates – Noodles and Doof, with a love of making quality, creative craft beer and spirits. The tap list is constantly evolving with exciting small batch brews and adventurous spirits. Their unique flavour profiles are born from the collaboration with local Aboriginal Corporation, Worn Gundidj using their expert knowledge of the native local botanicals such as correa alba, lemon myrtle and mountain pepper.
Barongarook
Otway Estate
The lush rainforest climate of the Otways offers the perfect conditions for grape growing, and those views are pretty spectacular too. This one is another crowd-pleaser with a winery, brewery, cidery and distillery onsite. Tour the vineyard and taste the handcrafted wines. Got someone in tow who prefers a pale ale? Otway Estate is also home to Prickly Moses Brewery.
Killarney
Basalt Wines
Discover a boutique vineyard on the Great Ocean Road, between Warrnambool and Port Fairy. Basalt’s organic and biodynamic wines are enriched by the region’s fertile volcanic soils. Visit the cellar door for wine tastings and tapas. Or stay for a seafood-studded long lunch, paired with award-winning riesling. While you linger over good wine and conversation in the cafe, the kids can kick the footy or experience farm life. They’ll adore meeting the babydoll sheep and roaming ducks and chickens.
Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay Distillery
Over 700 ill-fated voyages give name to The Shipwreck Coast, the treacherous stretch from Cape Otway to Port Fairy. Toast these lost vessels with the nautically inspired handcrafted gins created in their honour at Apollo Bay Gin Distillery – SS Casino Dry, Speculant Grapefruit, Captain Chapmans Navy Strength & Amphitrite served with a 2ooml Fever Tree Tonic, ice and garnish.
Whatever tipple takes your fancy you’re helping Apollo Bay Distillery keep the nautical spirit of Apollo Bay and the Shipwreck Coast alive. All gins are distilled onsite using local botanicals that pair perfectly with a freshly made woodfired pizza and the ocean to mountain views.
Torquay
Great Ocean Road Distillery
Great Ocean Road Gin Distillery captures the essence of its stunning surroundings in every bottle. This artisanal distillery crafts premium gins infused with botanicals inspired by the local landscape, offering a unique taste of the region.
Dixie
Keayang Maar
Situated deep in dairy farming country, Keayang Maar is a family-run vineyard overlooking a dormant volcanic crater. Come for the bucolic views, stay for the gorgeous cool climate wines. The cellar door is open Wednesday to Sunday for wine tasting and pizzas. If you’re lucky you might even catch a gig. Keayang Maar is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans trail. If you have time, take a delicious detour to the other foodie hotspots on the map.
Torquay
Mt Duneed Estate
Just 15 minutes from Geelong and an hour from Melbourne, Mt Duneed Estate is the perfect spot for a day out. Whether you’re a couple, a family, or a group, this estate offers a relaxed dining experience paired with their delicious range of wines.
Enjoy a wine tasting or settle in for a lunch that pairs perfectly with your favourite glass. Families will love the indoor sandpit and chalkboard for the kids while adults unwind. With great local produce, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere, Mt Duneed Estate is ideal for both small gatherings and large groups. Enjoy live music on Sundays and soak up the relaxed vibe of this stunning venue.
Timboon
Babche Wines
Babche Wines produce small volumes of varieties grown on their organic, family operated vineyard in Victoria. Varieties like Syrah, Fiano, Lambrusco, Grenache, and a delightful sparkiling chardonnay are released throughout the year. Small volumes are made without any additives or preservatives. The Cellar Door in Timboon is opening this October.
Great Ocean Road Cordials
Award-winning and locally crafted, Great Ocean Cordial Syrups are a perfect treat for everyone. Their Blueberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry flavours earned gold at the Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards.
Made with care and completely non-alcoholic, they’re ideal for family gatherings or a refreshing drink with friends. The Ginger & Lemon mixes perfectly with locally made spirits, or a soda water.
Taste Great
Ocean Road
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