Australia’s Best Wine Regions
Who doesn’t enjoy a day out at a winery, relaxing on a picnic blanket and taking in the fresh air? Even if you’re not a wine drinker, we think it’s still something you would enjoy. Book your holiday now to Australia’s wine regions. Did you know that Australia’s food and wine scene is extremely competitive? There are so many different vineyards and wineries to go to, all offering something unique. Why not plan a road trip and do a few in a day?
We’ve summarised a list of Australia’s best wine regions to make your next holiday planning that much easier, and a holiday loan can help you kickstart the fun. Grab some friends, grab your tickets, and go check out what’s on around the country!
Overview
- Yarra Valley, VIC
- Hunter Valley, NSW
- The Barossa Valley, SA
- Margaret River, WA
- Piper’s River, TAS
- Granite Belt, QLD
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s biggest wine regions, boasting over 300 vineyards and 160 wineries. Located just North East of Melbourne, it is one of the most urban wine regions, meaning you can enjoy the benefits of being close to the city.
More than 200 events take place in the giant Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, not only throughout the city of Melbourne but across the entire state of Victoria.
One of the festival’s signature events, the River Graze transforms the Yarra River into a foodie playground, with more than 20 culinary hotspots dotted along the river’s edge. There’s a great range of food and drinks on offer, as well as free entertainment for the whole family. Expect pop-up bars serving Victorian wines and beers, mini produce markets, fresh seafood and food trucks. One highlight of the festival in the city is Ponyfish Island, located smack-bang in the middle of the Yarra in Melbourne CBD. Accessible only by stairs descending from the pedestrian bridge above, they serve up great beers and a tasty seasonal menu.
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
The Hunter Valley, also known as Wine Country, is located north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is one of Australia’s major wine regions, with over 150 producers. It is also host to the popular Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival each June. The festival features events at the region’s many wineries, including tastings, cooking classes, popup stalls and concerts. You’ll also find many concerts and festivals throughout the year, with big names such as Rod Stewart stopping off in the region.
Whilst Semillon is considered the dominant variety of the region, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho are also common. The Hunter Valley’s local wineries offer wine tours year-round, including pet friendly and child friendly trips.
Elbourne wines is a great option for those looking for a family-friendly option. In addition to tastings, they have a collection of farmyard animals that the kids will love.
The Barossa Valley, South Australia
Located approximately an hour’s drive north of Adelaide, the Barossa is renowned for its full-bodied Shiraz as well as Chardonnay, Eden Valley Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. With more than 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, there are plenty of varieties to sample.
As well as its wineries, the valley is also famous for its seasonal artisanal produce. Along the butcher, baker, winemaker trail you’ll find freshly baked bread, handmade sausages, gourmet cheeses, and of course, wine! All the essentials for an Autumn picnic.
Also known as the festival state, South Australia is home to events all year round. You can time your trip with the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Comedy Festival, Film festival and countless more! Not just that, you can experience the journey of eating and drinking with beautiful surroundings.
Seppeltsfield Winery can give you the best of both worlds, hosting the comedy event Grapes of Mirth each year. Grapes of Mirth does the rounds at many different food and wine festivals – check out their website for details!
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is a small town of Perth in Western Australia. In only 50 years, the region has built a reputation as one of the foremost provinces for fine wine with approximately 215 boutique wine producers. The region produces arguably Australia’s best white varieties, including Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon and Chardonnay.
The area south of Perth has a unique climate in Australia, featuring unusually high rainfall and very even temperatures year-round. This means that although they produce only 3% of Australia’s grapes, they contribute 20% of the premium wine market. In short, if you are serious about good wine, you will want to visit Margaret River! The region also produces truffles, making it a foodie paradise. If, like us, you love truffles and wine, try visiting Truffle Hill! Their restaurant features indulgent truffle inspired food, local wines and seasonal produce.
Coonawarra, South Australia
We know, double dipping into the same state might seem excessive. But there’s a reason South Australia is responsible for over half of Australia’s annual wine production. If you are a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra should be high on your list of places to visit. As the home of Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a must-do for red wine lovers. Coonawarra, which is the Aboriginal word for Honeysuckle, is a South Australian wine region located on the Limestone Coast bordering Victoria.
Whilst the region hosts various events such as festivals, cellar doors and tours, the town itself is home to just 136 people. This makes it ideal for a quiet country getaway for wine lovers.
One local winery, Raidis estate, hold regular events featuring live music, tastings and canapes.
Piper’s River, Tasmania
The cool climate of the Piper’s River Region in Tasmania is similar to that of Champagne in France. This makes it ideal to produce sparkling varieties. And indeed, this is what the region is most famous for, producing the majority of Australia’s premium sparkling varieties.
One local winery, Bay of Fires, features a large range of sparkling varieties typical of the region. They have a cellar door located in the picturesque Piper’s River region.
The region is sparsely populated and has landscapes reminiscent of the English countryside, making it one of Australia’s most distinct holiday destinations. You’ll want to hire a car to explore the countryside because although some tours are provided, you can get the most of the quirky region with the freedom of your own vehicle.
You can also explore the region as part of the Tamar Valley wine trail. Non-drinkers will still enjoy all the other gourmet food such as Tamar Valley diary (which produce the most delicious commercial yoghurt) and small food producers.
Granite Belt, Queensland
Just three hours from Brisbane and 1000 metres above sea level, you’ll find Queensland’s wine producing capital. Over 60% of all Queensland wine production happens in and around Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt, with a unique climate that creates growing conditions unlike anywhere else in the country. That might explain the region’s long affinity with alternative varieties, known as Strange Birds. So if you’re looking beyond the typical chardonnay and shiraz, you should check out the Strange Birds Wine Tour! You’ll be trying small-run bottlings and boutiques you can’t find in shops and restaurants.
If you want to try them all in once place without travelling around, plan a trip in October for the Australian Small Winemakers Show. Or if you’re not keen on the cold weather, try escaping to the mountains in summer to taste all the fresh local produce in the area as well.
Explore Australia’s best wine regions with Swoosh!
If our list has got your taste buds salivating, you’re not alone. But between flights, accommodation, winery packages and tour prices, it can be tricky to cover all your costs upfront. That’s where Swoosh comes in. With a holiday loan, you can book your trip with peace of mind. Apply online in minutes to get your cash fast! Contact our friendly team to learn more.
FAQs
Which Australian state has the best wine?
With their cool climates and a diverse mix of established and independent producers, South Australia and Victoria dominate the list of top producers. These two states account for 74% of producers, and conveniently they’re right next door if you wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
What is the wine capital of Australia?
Adelaide is the wine capital of Australia, with so many beautiful and world-famous wineries just a short drive from the city.
Where does Australian wine rank?
Behind the classic wine producing countries like France, Italy, and Spain, Australia ranks an impressive 6th globally in wine production.
