Can you say you've blended your own rum? Toured an award-winning gin distillery? Enjoyed a brew with one of the best views on Australia's East Coast? After your next trip to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you'll be able to!
Discover these 13 hot spots to grab a cold drink on the Southern Great Barrier Reef...
Established in 1888, at Bundaberg Rum they know a thing or two about Queensland’s world-famous brew. And with a swag of tourism awards including multipe prestigious Australian Tourism Awards, the Visitor Experience they know a thing or two about a great holiday experience!
Begin your rum discovery at the museum, standing inside giant barrels, which once contained rum. Learn how this enterprising community went from crushing sugar cane in 1882, and just six years later, turned the molasses by-product into Bundaberg Rum. Take a tour of the operations in which you will encounter a river of molten molasses. A highlight of a visit the special Blend Your Own Rum Experience. Here, you will enter a private tasting room which resembles an upmarket science lab, perch on an American oak barrel chair, and taste five samples of 40 per cent alcohol base. From your notes, in which you will specify any memories or emotions these tastes evoke, you will concoct a mixture of these blends, which is then bottled under your own personal label, sealed, and a record kept on site for future orders.
At The Bundaberg Barrel you can not only learn about how its ginger beer is made, but all of the soft drinks this family-owned business creates. Enter this giant barrel in which you will see how one of the only drink makers on the planet still brew the old-fashioned way. The museum here is an interactive experience where you are you encouraged to identify secret scents, create bubbles, and learn how ginger beer actually originated from England. But the true highlight is at the tour’s end, where you are invited to taste the full flavours on offer here made from many of the region’s fresh fruits. There’s everything from guava and pink grapefruit to passionfruit, and pineapple and coconut which evokes the taste of a pina colada on a tropical island.
The latest enterprising entrant into Bundaberg’s brewing crew is Kalki Moon Distilling Company. Owner Rick Prosser is an old hat in the local brewing game, having worked at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery for 13 years as a blender and later as a lauded master distiller. It’s these superior skills he now brings to his own operation, recently opening the craft brewery. While, under law, his rum has to sit in barrels for two years and will not be ready until 2019, in the meantime, he is busy brewing and selling vodka and gin. Rick likes to impress his customers with a “Gin Gin Mule” playing on the nearby place name, and using local Bundaberg Ginger Beer, to produce an enchanting drop.
It's not all spirits - Bundaberg’s beer drinkers love Ballistic Bargara in its sassy Brewhouse in the CBD. Here you’ll find an awesome range of beers on offer, from the classic range, like Reef Lager and Reef Red Ale, to the most-loved - Hawaiian Haze (recently voted 8th most popular beer in the GABS Hottest 100), to special releases. Make the Bargara Brewhouse an essential pit stop on your Bundaberg brewery bucket-list.
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At the 1770 Distillery, try the four liqueurs made from regional fruit. There’s the tangy Sunset Citrus; the Daybreak with oranges and spices; Pink Dawn with plum and green apples; and the Strawberry Splash, made from strawberries and said to be popular with the champagne set. Owner John Richards made his first whisky with a mate 26 years ago, when they bought a barrel for $1800 and they were the only whisky makers in the nation. Now, Australia boasts more than 160 whisky makers, of which John’s mate is one of the best, while John prefers to focus on these sweet wines.
If you’re chasing a view with your brew, the 1770 Beach Hotel not only points west, but is one of the few establishments along Australia’s east coast that also overlooks an ocean sunset. It’s a laidback vibe here, turn up in your thongs and togs, order a local Baffle Creek brew, and enjoy the last rays of the day.
As the name suggests, Lagoons 1770 Resort & Spa is built around a luscious lagoon which winds through the centre of the resort. Head to Plantation Bar and Restaurant, notable by the giant bust of a giraffe at the entrance, and sit with a pool view, sipping on local Baffle Creek beer or Bundaberg soft drinks. Order tropical-style cocktails such as the Plantation Splice and Lagoon’s Iced Tea.
By the same innovative crew that opened Headricks Lane in Rockhampton, The Lightbox Espresso & Wine Bar in Gladstone is a relatively new player on the scene. Perched in the city’s recently-redeveloped entertainment precinct, try bespoke cocktails, French champagne, premium spirits and local and imported beer here.
At Heron Island, it’s not just about the birds. There’s a nice watering hole here too in the form of Baillie’s Bar and Pandanus Lounge. Best of all, it takes advantage of its panoramic reef views with an outdoor terrace replete with giant chessboard and lounges which are ideal for sunset spotting and slouching. Should you be tempted inside, there’s two pool tables, a cocktail bar with old-fashioned concoctions, entertainment lounge, and library area.
Nestled on the stunning Capricorn Coast, Reef Distillers offers a unique blend of coastal charm and artisanal craft. This boutique distillery is a haven for spirit enthusiasts, where local ingredients are transformed into premium spirits that capture the essence of the region. From rich, smooth rums to refreshing gins, each bottle is a testament to the dedication and passion of the distillers. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply looking to indulge in a tasting experience, Reef Distillers invites you to explore the flavors of the Capricorn Coast, one sip at a time.
Crimson Finch Brewery, a vibrant new addition to the Capricorn Coast, offers craft beer enthusiasts a unique experience in the heart of Yeppoon. Nestled just moments from the shoreline, this boutique brewery combines the laid-back coastal vibe with an artisanal approach to brewing. Each beer is carefully crafted using locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the region's diverse flavors. Whether you're a fan of hoppy IPAs, crisp lagers, or rich stouts, Crimson Finch has something to delight every palate. With its relaxed atmosphere and commitment to quality, this brewery is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
One of the cutest cocktail joints along the Southern Great Barrier Reef can be found at Pumpkin Island, in the Keppel Group. Not only does the island’s Sunset Lounge point west, so you can watch the sun dip over the Australian mainland, but it boasts an innovative cocktail menu.
Looking for the perfect spot to unwind with a drink on the Capricorn Coast? From sipping cocktails with ocean views at Beaches Restaurant to enjoying a cold brew at the laid-back Strand Hotel, there's a watering hole for every vibe. Keppel Bay Sailing Club and Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club offer nautical charm, while Vue Wine Bar & Restaurant and The Waterline Restaurant serve up sophisticated sips with stunning backdrops. Don't miss the seaside chic of OFISHAL Beach Club and The Station 4703—the newest additions to Capricorn Coast's vibrant social scene.
