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.
Timboon
Timboon Railway Shed Distillery
Set inside a beautifully restored railway goods shed at the end of the Camperdown–Timboon Rail Trail, this family-run distillery is a highlight of the 12 Apostles Gourmet Food Trail, just 15 minutes inland from the Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell. Traditional copper pot stills turn out small-batch single malt whisky, gin, rum and liqueurs, alongside seasonal one-off releases. Settle in for a guided tasting, browse the Australian Craft Spirit Wall, or pair a considered pour with local artisanal produce.
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.
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.
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.
Birregurra
Otways Distillery
The team at Otways Distillery are passionate about capturing the true essence of the region. Their spirits showcase locally foraged and farmed botanicals, with flavours that reflect the unique character of the Otways. By working closely with local growers and foragers, they bring native ingredients to the forefront — think wild herbs, native fruits, and other delicious flavours that tell the story of this special place. Cellar door opening soon.
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.
Taste Great
Ocean Road
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