What to see in Australia’s Best Wine Regions?
Forget France and Italy, with 60 designated wine regions across 160,000 hectares in Australia, producing around 1.73 million tonnes of grape crush, producing around 1.2 billion litres of wine; it’s safe to say, that a visit to one of Australia’s greatest exports may only be a short drive from most capital cities.
Wine Regions near Adelaide
White sand beaches, contrasting coast lines, rich soils and lush greenery with some of the tastiest wine regions only a short drive from Adelaide, makes South Australia a must-see destination for wine lovers.
McLaren Vale
Hosting 74 cellar doors and over 160 vineyards, McLaren Vale is often the locals favourite weekend getaway with a plethora of wonderful restaurants to choose from.
If you’re a white wine drinker looking for a tipple in South Australia, Clare Valley is your place to go, producing arguably the best Rieslings in Australia
Don’t miss the stunning d’Arenberg’s Cube, five levels of architectural wonder inspired by the complexities of wine making. Indulge in the wine sensory room, a 360degree video room, or the virtual fermenter as one of many tactile , experiences. Follow it up with a tour of Wirra Wirra’s biodynamic vineyards.
Hosting 74 cellar doors and over 160 vineyards, McLaren Vale is often the locals favourite weekend getaway with a plethora of wonderful restaurants to choose from.
If you’re a white wine drinker looking for a tipple in South Australia, Clare Valley is your place to go, producing arguably the best Rieslings in Australia
Don’t miss the stunning d’Arenberg’s Cube, five levels of architectural wonder inspired by the complexities of wine making. Indulge in the wine sensory room, a 360degree video room, or the virtual fermenter as one of many tactile , experiences. Follow it up with a tour of Wirra Wirra’s biodynamic vineyards.
The Barossa
Home to Australia’s most iconic winery , Penfolds, the Barossa is home to some of the world’s oldest wines around one hour north of Adelaide. The Barossa is known for it’s full-bodied Shiraz, as well as Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and has over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors.
The Magill Estate Cellar Door offers fine dining with serene views of Penfolds first vineyard, only 8km from Adelaide CBD, making it one of the world’s few urban single vineyards.
Home to Australia’s most iconic winery , Penfolds, the Barossa is home to some of the world’s oldest wines around one hour north of Adelaide. The Barossa is known for it’s full-bodied Shiraz, as well as Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and has over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors.
The Magill Estate Cellar Door offers fine dining with serene views of Penfolds first vineyard, only 8km from Adelaide CBD, making it one of the world’s few urban single vineyards.
The Riverland
Located near Renmark in South Australia, is Australia’s largest wine producing region, with grape varieties including shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite Verdot, Viognier and grenache. It’s not surprising then, that the largest wine region, also homes the largest winery and distillery in the Southern Hemisphere, Berri Estates, who crush almost half the grapes in the region each year. Banrock Station and wetlands was also established in the mid 1990’s and aims to preserve the Murray River by returning the water there and making it available for other Murray River ecosystems.
Located near Renmark in South Australia, is Australia’s largest wine producing region, with grape varieties including shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite Verdot, Viognier and grenache. It’s not surprising then, that the largest wine region, also homes the largest winery and distillery in the Southern Hemisphere, Berri Estates, who crush almost half the grapes in the region each year. Banrock Station and wetlands was also established in the mid 1990’s and aims to preserve the Murray River by returning the water there and making it available for other Murray River ecosystems.
Arguably the most famous of South Australian wine regions, the Barossa Valley’s continental climate allows guests to enjoy cold winters by the fireplace and hot summers picnicking in the shade of a tree, only 50 minutes from Adelaide city.
Home to Australia’s culinary icon, the late Maggie Beer, as well as host of other top food producers, you’ll not want to miss some of the country’s oldest estates such as Jacob’s Creek and Henschke, followed by a stop at your “year of birth” vintage at Seppeltsfield Wines.
While the Barossa Valley is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety of Shiraz, the region does grow other varieties including Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Home to Australia’s culinary icon, the late Maggie Beer, as well as host of other top food producers, you’ll not want to miss some of the country’s oldest estates such as Jacob’s Creek and Henschke, followed by a stop at your “year of birth” vintage at Seppeltsfield Wines.
While the Barossa Valley is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety of Shiraz, the region does grow other varieties including Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Regions near Sydney
The Hunter Valley, just 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney, pumps with tourists year-round, and was established in the mid-19th century by James Busby, who bought 20,000 vine cuttings to Australia from Europe. Rightly so, he is known as Australia’s father of wine.
Everyone from Shania Twain to the Rolling Stones has been enticed to the region for numerous events on light up stages at big-budget concerts in summer. There are golf courses and spas galore.
The Hunter Valley Gardens is a must see break from wine tasting, showcasing some of Australia’s most spectacular blooms, waterfalls, mazes and murals and surrounding the quaint Shopping Village.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is a two month long celebration in May and June, showcasing the epicurean pleasure of the region through incredible gourmet dinners at award-winning restaurants, winemaking masterclasses, hands-on cooking classes and cosy evenings beside open fires with friends.
Aside from the entertainment, a visit to the Hunter is a chance to sample the wines of some of Australia’s biggest and oldest names, such as Tyrrell’s Wines, Brokenwood Wines, Mount Pleasant Wines and Tulloch Wines.
This is the region for shiraz and semillon – both of which evolve beautifully in the cellar – but at the other end of the spectrum, the smaller region of Mudgee, 162 miles north-west of Sydney, is ideal for those who prefer a slower pace, as well as cool-climate rieslings and fantastic food.
Everyone from Shania Twain to the Rolling Stones has been enticed to the region for numerous events on light up stages at big-budget concerts in summer. There are golf courses and spas galore.
The Hunter Valley Gardens is a must see break from wine tasting, showcasing some of Australia’s most spectacular blooms, waterfalls, mazes and murals and surrounding the quaint Shopping Village.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival is a two month long celebration in May and June, showcasing the epicurean pleasure of the region through incredible gourmet dinners at award-winning restaurants, winemaking masterclasses, hands-on cooking classes and cosy evenings beside open fires with friends.
Aside from the entertainment, a visit to the Hunter is a chance to sample the wines of some of Australia’s biggest and oldest names, such as Tyrrell’s Wines, Brokenwood Wines, Mount Pleasant Wines and Tulloch Wines.
This is the region for shiraz and semillon – both of which evolve beautifully in the cellar – but at the other end of the spectrum, the smaller region of Mudgee, 162 miles north-west of Sydney, is ideal for those who prefer a slower pace, as well as cool-climate rieslings and fantastic food.
Wine Regions Near Victoria
From Rutherglen in the North, to the southern Pinot Coast and out west to Shiraz Central, Victoria’s wine regions may be small, but they pack a punch.
For international acclaim, enjoy the spectacular views from Mt Langi Ghiran in the Grampians while tasting on of Australia’s most acclaimed producers of Shiraz, or try a tipple from Sally’s Paddock at Redbank Winery. Two of Victoria’ not-so-secret diamonds in the wine industry famous for their single vineyard blend of Cab Sauv, Cab France, Shiraz, Merlot and Malbec coupled with their fantastic ploughman’s lunch.
The Yarra Valley offers over 70 wineries around Healesville and the picturesque Marysville, but a real highlight is method traditionnelle Australian sparkling, hailing from it’s ancestors, Moët and Chandon.
For seafood lovers, drive the most southern edge of Australia to visit cellar doors such as Scotchman’s Hill, Paringa Estate Winery and the scarily named Cannibal Creek Vineyard, only one hour from Melbourne and recognised as the Cellar Door with Best Food in Gippsland by Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine in 2018.
For international acclaim, enjoy the spectacular views from Mt Langi Ghiran in the Grampians while tasting on of Australia’s most acclaimed producers of Shiraz, or try a tipple from Sally’s Paddock at Redbank Winery. Two of Victoria’ not-so-secret diamonds in the wine industry famous for their single vineyard blend of Cab Sauv, Cab France, Shiraz, Merlot and Malbec coupled with their fantastic ploughman’s lunch.
The Yarra Valley offers over 70 wineries around Healesville and the picturesque Marysville, but a real highlight is method traditionnelle Australian sparkling, hailing from it’s ancestors, Moët and Chandon.
For seafood lovers, drive the most southern edge of Australia to visit cellar doors such as Scotchman’s Hill, Paringa Estate Winery and the scarily named Cannibal Creek Vineyard, only one hour from Melbourne and recognised as the Cellar Door with Best Food in Gippsland by Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine in 2018.
Wine Regions near Perth
Margaret River
Three hours drive south of Perth sits Margaret River, which spoils visitors with turquoise surf breaks, soft sand beaches, towering forests, mouth-watering dining and buttery chardonnay to indulge. Boutique breweries, fine restaurants, fresh produce and art galleries also abound.
Margaret River is made up of six sub-regions – Willyabrup, Yallingup, Karridale, Wallcliffe, Treeton and Carbunup, which are roughly defined by their differences in soil.
Follow the three-day Margaret River Wine Trail taking in Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate and stay at Cape Lodge, one of Australia’s most luxurious country estates.
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is held each year in November – diarise it for your Food Festival of a Lifetime.
Three hours drive south of Perth sits Margaret River, which spoils visitors with turquoise surf breaks, soft sand beaches, towering forests, mouth-watering dining and buttery chardonnay to indulge. Boutique breweries, fine restaurants, fresh produce and art galleries also abound.
Margaret River is made up of six sub-regions – Willyabrup, Yallingup, Karridale, Wallcliffe, Treeton and Carbunup, which are roughly defined by their differences in soil.
Follow the three-day Margaret River Wine Trail taking in Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate and stay at Cape Lodge, one of Australia’s most luxurious country estates.
The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is held each year in November – diarise it for your Food Festival of a Lifetime.
Wine Regions near Hobart
Tasmania’s cool climate produces crisp, elegant wines and the Tamar Valley, lining the north edge of Launceston is the epicentre of Australian Sparkling at House of Arras.
Immerse yourself in the outdoors, with Josef Chromy Winery’s unique experiences of learning how to Fly Fish or Ride the Vines cycling activities to top off your day.
Immerse yourself in the outdoors, with Josef Chromy Winery’s unique experiences of learning how to Fly Fish or Ride the Vines cycling activities to top off your day.
Wine Regions near Queensland
Normally known for it’s humid climates, Queensland isn’t the first state you’d think of for a winery weekend away. However the Granite Belt Wine Country, at 1,000 metres elevation, with the town of Stanthorpe at its centre, is home to over 40 “Strange Bird” wineries made from unique grape varieties such as nero d’avola, petit Verdot and sylvaner.
Along with unique varietals comes unique experiences, such as the many national parks. The best known is Girraween National Park where you can climb The Pyramid, or visit the Eye of the Needle.
Plus the temperate climate makes Picnics in the Vineyard an obvious option for the romantics out there, or just a great opportunity to relax with friends.
Domestic travel to start end of June? Sale fares as low as $19.
Determining whether or not to travel is a personal decision, and we want you to feel informed with all of the latest details to help why our decision making during this challenging time.
Along with unique varietals comes unique experiences, such as the many national parks. The best known is Girraween National Park where you can climb The Pyramid, or visit the Eye of the Needle.
Plus the temperate climate makes Picnics in the Vineyard an obvious option for the romantics out there, or just a great opportunity to relax with friends.
Domestic travel to start end of June? Sale fares as low as $19.
Determining whether or not to travel is a personal decision, and we want you to feel informed with all of the latest details to help why our decision making during this challenging time.