We all know caravans are perfect for an extended holiday that includes all sorts of outdoor activities, from fishing to kayaking, hiking to climbing. But caravanning isn’t limited to adrenaline rushes and fresh air adventures. You can also take a more leisurely pace and really dive into everything Western Australia’s amazing distilleries have to offer. If you’re thirsty for a tasty drink and ready for an awesome day of distilleries, here are a few you can’t miss.
GREAT SOUTHERN DISTILLING – ALBANY
Located in the port city 418 kilometres southeast of Perth, Albany’s beloved local distillery is in a prime position overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. If you love waterfront views and whisky, this is the place to be. While Great Southern Distilling has grown over years, this remains the flagship location and the distillery’s famous home where Limeburners Single Malt Whisky is made.
It’s easily accessible from local campgrounds and beaches, with tastings and bottle sales to keep your caravan holiday going strong. The cellar door opened in 2007 and has since welcomed thousands of visitors. Great Southern Distilling is open seven days a week with behind-the-scenes distillery tours available too.
WEST WINDS GIN – MARGARET RIVER
Depending on your caravan trip itinerary, you can make West Winds Gin your first stop. Located 280 kilometres south of Perth, you can make it to Margaret River in three hours. The distillery is on North Jindong Road, about 30 minutes’ drive outside of the quaint town centre. It’s not far from Busselton Jetty either, so wherever you are camping or stopping in the area, you can stop and enjoy West Winds Gin.
The award-winning premium artisan gins are made from native botanicals and include Margaret River Sea Water. The distillery has been open in the region since 2014, and the cellar door has quickly become a hot spot for locals and visitors alike. You can also take master classes to try your hand at gin distilling.
HOOCHERY RUM DISTILLERY – KUNUNURRA
Another cool distillery to put on your caravan travel bucket list is Hoochery Rum in the very far north of the state. The Kununurra distillery has a rich history in the region, with incredibly fertile soils in the Ord River Valley. It will take a while to get there, as it’s over 3,200 kilometres or a 33-hour drive, but if you’re headed this way and love rum, you won’t want to miss it.
Hoochery Distillery was founded by farmer Raymond ‘Spike’ Dessert III in the 1990s. The remote Kimberley outback operation was Raymond’s way of diversifying his farming operations, and he created WA’s longest operating legal distillery. There’s a cellar door, distillery tour, and café to round out your visit.
MORE WA DISTILLERIES & WINERIES
There are plenty more distilleries and wineries scattered throughout regional Western Australia. A few other fan favourites include Copperhead Road Distillery in Greenough and Illegal Tender Rum Co. in Springfield. There is a variety of distilleries and wineries in the Perth/Peel region so you can stop on your way out to your grand Australian caravan adventure too.
