Nestled around the picturesque coastal town of Byron Bay, a vibrant craft spirits scene has flourished, attracting connoisseurs and curious travellers alike. The Northern Rivers region of Australia is home to some of the country's most renowned distilleries, each offering a unique glimpse into the art of distilling and a chance to savour exquisite spirits.
The Lord Byron Distillery is producing fabulous rums and gin on the outskirts of Byron. This family-owned establishment champions using 100% renewable energy and embraces zero-waste practices. Here, you can also delve into Highwayman Whisky, a premium small-batch Australian whisky meticulously crafted with unwavering attention to detail, a testament to whisky maker Dan Woolley's dedication and craftsmanship.
Another destination not to be missed is the Cape Byron Distillery, nestled in the rainforest of the Byron hinterlands, where you can indulge in their award-winning 'The Original' Australian Single Malt Whisky and Brookie's Gin. Their products arise from a collaboration between esteemed Scottish Master Distiller Jim McEwan (formerly Bruichladdich and Bowmore) and Byron local Eddie Brook. This distillery is a beacon of innovation, with thrilling new releases on the horizon, sparking anticipation and excitement among spirits enthusiasts.
Husk Farm Distillery rounds out the list of craft spirit distilleries that you can visit in the Northern Rivers region. This farm-based distillery, located a 30-minute drive north of Byron, specialises in creating unique and sustainable spirits (gin and rum) using locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown on site. Here, you can witness the entire distilling process, from farm to bottle, and savour the exceptional flavours of the region's rich cane-growing heritage. There is also an on-site cafe, making it a great location for light light lunch or snack while you enjoy a gin or rum tasting (plus they're open 7-days).
Whether you're a seasoned spirits enthusiast or a curious traveller seeking new experiences, Byron Bay's distilleries offer sensational Spirited Adventures.
Map of Distilleries Near Byron Bay
Lord Byron Distillery
Nestled in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Byron Bay, Lord Byron Distillery embodies the region's commitment to sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship. Lord Byron utilise molasses to distil their rum (as does around 95% of the rum industry) - making it an interesting contrast to Husk (see below) who utilise cane juice.
Lord Byron's operations are centred on a commitment to traditional methods, while also using 100% renewable energy and embracing zero-waste practices. The fermentation process, which can last up to 10 days, is carefully monitored to achieve the desired alcohol by volume (ABV) of 10%, with the Byron's variable climate playing a considerable role in the fermentation time required. Longer fermentation allows the yeast more time to convert the sugars in the molasses, contributing to the rich flavours of the spirit.
Lord Byron's copper pot stills were imported from Portugal, and include two Olympic pot stills and a hybrid-still with a pot base and column head. The onion-shaped stills have a 400-litre capacity, and the condensers feature approximately 8 meters of piping. The first distillation produces low wines of around 50% ABV, while the second distillation usually ends up at around 80% ABV, thought it can go as high as 90% ABV at different times of the year (Byron has a considerably variable climate, which you'll hear more about later).
Lord Byron is a relatively small distillery, and it takes around around 2.5 weeks to complete the cycle from molasses fermentation to the final double distillation of the cane spirit before it is put into casks. They fill between one and two barrels a week, producing roughly 10,000 litres of cane spirit per annum.
Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the distillery's operations. The water used in production is sourced from the family's farm and delivered on the back of a ute. The spent grains (draff created during Highwayman production) and dunder (molasses residue) from the distillation process are repurposed as cattle feed, embodying a closed-loop approach to resource management.
Lord Byron Distillery's commitment to environmental responsibility extends to the cleaning process, where citric acid, an environmentally friendly and edible substance, is used to maintain the stills' pristine condition.
The result is a range of exceptional beverages, including their Pure Single Rum (cask strength - bourbon or wine cask finish), and array of cane spirits and liqueurs (Amanda is rather partial to the Kokomo Toasted Coconut Cane Spirit).
Maturing rum cask at Lord Byron Distillery.
Lord Byron Distillery Tours and Tastings
The Lord Byron Distillery cellar door (and bar) is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. They are located at
Lord Byron Distillery Tour and Tasting
Lord Byron Distillery Tours run from Tuesday to Saturday, cost $25.00 per person, and are approximately 20 Minutes duration. This includes a guided tour of the Lord Byron Distillery rum production area, and a tutored tasting of any three products from the Lord Byron Distillery cellar door range (15ml samples). Online advanced bookings for the Lord Byron Tour are recommended.
Gin Distilling Class
Lord Byron Gin Making Classes run from Tuesday to Saturday, cost $149.00 per person, and are approximately 2-3 hours duration. Craft your own bottle of with guidance from Lord Byron's expert team. After a complimentary drink on arrival, select your unique blend of botanicals, distil, bottle and label a 500ml bottle of gin for you to keep, made by you, to your taste. Online advanced bookings are essential.
Highwayman Whisky
Highwayman released their first whiskies (100% produced, aged and bottled in Byron Bay) in 2021, though the Highwayman whisky programme commenced in 2016 with founder Dan Woolley acquiring spirit from various other distilleries (released as independent bottlings), which he had shipped to Byron so he could oversee their maturation in his own casks. In 2018 he started making his own whisky in collaboration with Lord Byron Distillery.
As Dan shares the Lord Byron Distillery facilities, it takes him five (5) weeks to make around 270 to 300 litres of spirit, as he is only in production on Saturdays.
- Week 1: Mash 1 (2 cycles) -> Fermentation Batch 1
- Week 2: Mash 1 (2 cycles) -> Fermentation Batch 2
- Week 3: Wash Run of Week 1's wort
- Week 4: Wash Run of Week 2's wort
- Week 5: Spirit run of of all the wash runs
The alcohol % off still is around 67-68 ABV, which is then reduced to 55% before being put into cask for maturation. The climate in Byron Bay is usually hot, but can be quite variable even over the course of a day - the swings in temperature and humidity make Byron Bay a very active region to age spirit. The amount of water evaporation is around 10% per annum, which substantially increases the % alcohol remaining in the cask. Highwayman whiskies are usually bottled at 55%.
Dan has over 30 different cask types across 10 different cask sizes on site at the distillery. As an example of the different cask types Dan uses to make Highwayman Whisky, a bottle he produced exclusively for Barrel and Batch (3.9 Completely Different Maple Cask Finish) started its aging in multiple 40L first-fill ex-bourbon barrels for just over 2 years before being married together and transferred into a first-fill, full size ex-Heaven Hill bourbon cask for over 7 months. The last unique maturation sees a portion of this liquid finished for nearly 3 months in a 40L ex rye whiskey/maple syrup cask. We own a bottle of this and highly recommend it.
Maturing Highwayman Whisky Casks - there are more than 30 different cask types across 10 different cask sizes
Highwayman Whisky Tours and Tastings
Highwayman Whisky visits are by appointment only. Highwayman Whisky is located at 4 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay, NSW.
Highwayman Whisky Tastings (60 minutes) are available on Fridays at 5pm and Saturdays at 2pm, 4pm and 5pm. Sessions cost $99 per person which includes a tutored tasting with Dan, and a Highwayman-branded Glencairn whisky glass to take home. Charcuterie platters are available at additional cost. We highly recommend tasting Highwayman whisky as it is completely different to any other whisky we've ever tried, and it is quite incredible the diversity and complexity of the flavours Dan achieves with each release - there's a good reason we have more bottles of Highwayman at home than any other whisky!
Please note that Highwayman whisky is generally bottled at cask strength - do NOT book for a tasting if you're planning to drive afterwards! This is definitely the time to get an Uber or taxi.
Also worth noting - while Highwayman whisky tends to sell out rather quickly online, there are sometimes one or two bottles available from the cabinet for those who make the effort to visit the Highwayman.
Highwayman Whisky Tastings can be booked online via highwayman-whisky.com - advanced bookings are essential.
Cape Byron Distillery
Cape Byron Distillery has quickly established itself as a premier craft distillery in the Byron Bay region, thanks in part to the guidance and expertise of legendary master distiller Jim McEwan. The former Master Distiller of Bruichladdich, Jim's influence has been instrumental in shaping Cape Byron's approach to distilling, ensuring a commitment to traditional methods and unwavering quality. While Jim was the teacher, the students were the Brook Family, primarily Eddie Brook and his brother Will (though Will now runs Brookfarm).
They started off making gin on a single 2000 litre still under the guidance of Jim (who created the superb Botanist Gin for Bruichladdich), and distilling wort (unhopped beer) from Stone and Wood Brewery, to make whisky.
Cape Byron recently invested in state-of-the-art fermentation tanks with a massive 8,000-litre capacity (each) which enables them to take complete control of the fermentation process.
Complementing these new fermentation tanks is the addition of a 4,400-litre wash still, joining the distillery's original 2,000-litre still, which is now solely dedicated to the spirit run. This expansion not only increases Cape Byron's production capabilities (production capacity is around 350,000 litres a year) but also allows for greater experimentation and refinement of their whisky and gin.
In 2022 Cape Byron released their first two whiskies, The Original, and Chardonnay Cask (both of which we own and highly recommend). The Original (ex-Bourbon Cask matured) won Gold at 2023 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, and was Awarded Australia’s top whisky at the 2023 International SIP Awards, receiving the ‘Platinum Award’ and ‘Best of Class’. They're exceptionally good value (sub $150 and in 700ml bottles) and if you're familiar with Bruichladdich whisky, you'll probably notice a resemblance, as they've got some very similar flavour profiles (especially The Original).
The majority of Cape Byron whisky is matured in American Oak barrels ranging in size between 200 to 300 litres. The maturing whisky is housed in a specially constructed warehouse (aka "the Dunnage") built into the hillside, to try and keep the temperature consistent (given Byron’s temperature and humidity extremes).
Cape Byron is also dedicated to ensuring their operations do not contribute negatively to the environment. They harvest rainwater directly from their roof for use throughout the distillery and farm, and organic matter is composted on the farm, including all botanicals from gin production and the cellar door. Whisky production waste is treated on-site and broken down into liquid fertiliser which is then distributed throughout the farm. Cape Byron Distillery are B-Corp Certified.
Brookie's Gin
While Cape Byron's whisky offerings have garnered significant acclaim, the distillery first made a name for itself in the world of gin. Brookie's Gin is a reflection of the Northern Rivers region's rich botanical diversity, crafted with a carefully curated selection of native Australian botanicals, including Native Ginger, Cinnamon & Aniseed Myrtle, Lemon Myrtle, Banksia, and Macadamia. Many of the ingredients are sourced locally, including on Brookfarm, the Brook family's 96-acre macadamia farm and reclaimed rainforest, within which the distillery resides (see their rainforest map here). Roddy's favourite Brookie's is the Aged Mac, while Amanda is partial to the Davidson Plum Slow Gin (and Shirl the Pearl Cumquat Gin is also rather good in a Breakfast Martini) though, we're both big fans of the Brookie's Byron Dry.
Cape Byron Distillery - Makers of Brookies Gin and Gin Liqueurs. Roddy's favourite is the Aged Mac, while Amanda is partial to the Davidson Plum Slow Gin.
Cape Byron Distillery Tours and Tastings
Cape Byron has a mid-sized visitor centre, however, they are incredibly popular and can fill up quickly. To avoid disappointment, and ensure they can cater to your arrival, bookings for tours and tastings should be made at least 24 hours in advance via their website or by phoning them on (02) 6684 7961. The Cape Byron cellar door is open for sales Thursday to Sunday, 10:45am to 6:00pm. The Cape Byron Distillery is located at 80 St Helena Rd, McLeods Shoot, NSW.
Brookie's Rainforest Tour & Gin Tasting
Cape Byron Rainforest Tours and Gin Tastings are available Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, $40 per person (including tasting) or $20 per person for Non-Drinking Attendees (including under 18s). This tour and tasting experience is 1 hour and 45 minutes duration. Your tour kicks off on the balcony overlooking the rainforest and Brookfarm. You'll start with a Brookie's Byron gin and tonic on arrival (if you're tasting) and hear the Brook family story, before heading off on a guided walk through their regenerated subtropical rainforest, where you will learn more about the native ingredients used in Brookie's gin. After that, you'll receive a tutored tasting of Brookie's gins while learning about the art of distillation. Includes a 10% discount on Brookie's purchases in the cellar door following their tour. The rainforest walk is a lovely experience, though note, it is outside, so if it is raining, you will get wet! The balcony is a nice spot to dry off, however; the view is stunning, as are the cocktails.
Cape Byron Whisky Tour & Tasting
Cape Byron Whisky Tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays, $28 per person, 40 minutes duration, persons aged over 18 years only. Start your experience with a Cape Byron Whisky Highball on the balcony where you will learn how the Cape Byron Distillery was started, before receiving a guided tour of the production area, and barrel room (AKA "the Dunnage") where the casks are maturing. You'll then receive a tasting of Cape Byron New Make Spirit and Cape Byron Single Malt whiskies (2 core range, Original and Chardonnay) and any other limited release products available at the time. Attendees also receive $5 discount on a whisky bottle purchase.
Husk Farm Distillery
Husk Farm Distillery is a true gem in the Northern Rivers region, offering a unique and immersive experience for rum and gin drinkers. Ensconced on a working farm, Husk Distillery has undergone an impressive transformation from its humble origins in a small shed (see photo gallery below). Husk embodies the essence of sustainability and farm-to-bottle production, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to witness the entire distilling process from cane to bottle, all the while enjoying the beauty that is their visitors centre, cafe and bar.
Husk Distillery was founded by Paul and Mandy Messenger (and their three daughters) and inspired by the diverse and vibrant rum culture of the Caribbean. In 2012 the Messengers embarked on a journey to create a plantation-style distillery on their cattle and cane farm. Husk Farm Distillery is located near the QLD/NSW border, 10 minutes south of Tweed Heads, 30 minutes north of Byron Bay.
Husk grows four hectares of cultivated sugarcane on their farm. Each year they crush around 450 tonnes, yielding around 320,000 litres of cane juice. Only around 3% of the world's rum is made from freshly crushed cane juice.
In April 2017 Husk (along with most of the northeastern seaboard) faced devastation in the aftermath of cyclone Debbie, with 4 metres of water blanketing the farm, and 1 metre of water through their barrel shed and distillery (the little green shed). Two years later they were finally able to open their new distillery buildings, complete with cellar door and cafe (it is a seriously impressive set of buildings when compared to most distilleries in Australia). As the distillery is on the Tweed River Flood Plain, they were also hit hard by the 2022 floods.
Husk Distillery Bar and Cafe Outdoor Dining Area
The purpose built cellar door, Planter's Kitchen cafe and bar are open 7 days a week from 11am. There is a considerable amount of indoor and outdoor seating, and they recently received permission to start hosting weddings on site. It is a stunning venue for a large group gathering, or a small group tasting. Husk Farm Distillery is located at 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum NSW.
Planter’s Kitchen operates Wednesday to Sunday, while the bar snack menu is available Monday and Tuesday (menus available here).
Husk Farm Distillery is committed to using locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown right on the property. This dedication to regional provenance ensures that each bottle captures the essence of the Northern Rivers, resulting in spirits with distinct and authentic flavours that truly embody the area's rich agricultural heritage (especially with respect to cane).
As part of their efforts in ensuring sustainability, Husk's primary waste disposal system comprises approximately fifty head of cattle. They eat most of the distillery waste - stillage, spent botanicals, cane tops and the high protein yeast left behind after distilling rum - and any waste that the cattle can't eat (such as the "bagasse" - the dry pulpy fibrous material that remains after crushing the sugar cane) is used as mulch for the rainforest regeneration plantings around the farm, or as compost in the gardens.
The aged expressions of Husk Rum are not chill filtered or carbon filtered and no colour (E-150a) is added. The rum is screened to remove barrel char, then bottled.
Ink Gin
While the Messengers were waiting for their rum to mature, they set about making gin. After a bit of exploration and research, Paul stumbled on "an exotic flowering legume growing wild in tropical Australia and South East Asia, popular in Thailand and used for centuries in herbal teas and traditional medicine. The flower was the butterfly pea, Clitorea ternatea. In 2011 he bought 5 seeds for $5, planted them in the backyard and a few months later picked enough flowers to start trial infusions" [ref]. The groundbreaking moment was when he realised that butterfly pea infused gin changes colour from inky blue to pink when mixed with tonic water. Along with 12 other native and traditional botanicals, the butterfly pea flower would go on to become the hero of Husk's new spirit line, and the reason for the name, Ink Gin.
Display shelf of Ink Gin and Husk Rum Bottles in the Planter's Cafe.
Husk Distillery Tours and Tastings
Visitors to Husk Farm Distillery can embark on a guided tour, where knowledgeable staff will take them through the various stages of the distilling process, from harvesting the cane, to fermentation, distillation, and bottling. This immersive experience offers a unique chance to learn about the art of distilling and gain a deeper appreciation for the labour and craftsmanship that goes into each bottle.
Husk Farm Distillery offers a range of tasting experiences, including of their award-winning Ink Gin. The tasting room and cafe provide a relaxed atmosphere, and there is also undercover outdoor seating, where one can sip on a cocktail and nibble on some snacks, while looking out over the farm's paddocks and grazing cows.
For those seeking a truly memorable experience, Husk Farm Distillery also offers the opportunity to blend and bottle your own gin, allowing you to create a personalised and unique spirit that captures your unique taste preferences.
Tours of Husk Distillery are available Wednesday to Sunday, and tastings are available Monday to Sunday. Husk Farm Distillery is located at
Distillery Tour and Tasting
A Husk Distillery tour takes you behind the scenes where you will learn about their unique farm to bottle process, and explore Ink Gin. Tour duration is 45 minutes, and costs $45 per person. Tours of Husk Distillery are available Wednesday to Sunday. You will receive a welcome drink on arrival, a guided tour of the distillery, a tasting of three (3) Ink Gins, enjoy a tasting of Husk Rums in the Barrel House, and receive a discount on purchases made during your visit. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended (and essential on weekends).
Farm to Bottle: Husk Rum Experience
An immersive farm-to-glass experience. With a cocktail in one hand and a cane knife in the other, delve into the sustainable farming processes behind Husk Rum. The cost is $89 per person and the duration is roughly 90 minutes. The Farm to Bottle: Husk Rum Experience is only available on Saturdays and advanced online bookings are essential. This tour experience includes making your own Ti-punch drink on arrival, a behind the scenes guided tour of Husk Farm in addition to a full tour of the distillery. You will have the opportunity to juice your own cane, before enjoying a tasting of Husk Rums in the Barrel House, and finishing off with a rum cocktail (definitely don't drive yourself to this one).
Directions to Byron Bay
Flying is the fastest option for getting to Byron Bay from other Australian capital cities. Direct flights from Sydney to Ballina/Byron Bay Airport, take around 1 hour and 15 minutes, while direct flights from Melbourne to Ballina/Byron Airport are 2 hours. Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas, operate multiple daily flights to Ballina/Byron Bay Airport.
Once you land at Ballina/Byron Bay Airport, which is located around 30 minutes from Byron Bay town centre, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi or pre-arrange a private transfer to your final destination in Byron Bay.
If you're hiring a car in Ballina, take the Pacific Highway/A1 north towards Brunswick Heads. After around 25km, take the exit for Byron Bay and follow the signs into the town centre. The total driving distance is around 30km.
While driving from Sydney takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes (covering a distance of approximately 770km), flying cuts the travel time significantly, making it the fastest option for those coming from Sydney.
It's worth noting that flight schedules and prices may vary, so booking your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, is advisable to secure the best deals and convenient flight times.
Driving From Sydney to Byron Bay
We've done the Sydney to Byron Bay road trip several times as we usually travel with our dog (a Staffi named Muffin). The driving route is straightforward: from Sydney, take the M1 Pacific Motorway north for around 765km, then take the exit for Byron Bay/Bangalow. It takes around 8 hours driving (not including rest stops) and it is pretty boring as far as scenery goes (you catch occasional glimpses of the coast but mostly its just seemingly endless motorway). There are a lot of lovely coastal towns to stop at along the way - our preferred destination is Port Macquarie as it is almost exactly half way - and there are quite a few dog friendly accommodation options. It is a nice place to stay for a day or two, and convenient if you're just staying overnight. If you're from overseas, or if you never had the thrill of visiting these "attractions" as a child, along the route you will find "The Big Banana" in Coffs Harbour, and "The Big Prawn" outside the Bunnings in Ballina. Amanda made Roddy visit these on our first road trip from Sydney to Byron.
Brisbane to Byron Bay
Brisbane to Byron Bay is approximately 175km south along the M1 Pacific Motorway. The Gold Coast is only 95 km from Byron Bay. We recommend you stop in at Husk Distillery on your way south (or alternatively on your way back north) - as Husk is only 45 km from the Gold Coast. Another distillery to stop by if you're passing through the Gold Coast is Grandad Jacks.
Getting Around Byron Bay
The public transport system around Byron Bay is practically non-existent. If you do not plan to drive yourself around distilleries (and we definitely do not recommend drink driving!) then your best options are Uber or Taxi services. The easiest distillery to get to if you don't have a car, is Lord Byron - they are on the main road into Byron Bay and there is a bus stop nearby.
We've found it relatively easy to get an Uber around Byron during the day (before 5pm), including on weekends. The rate (March 2024) was $22 Brunswick Heads to Mullumbimby and $25 Brunswick Heads to Lord Byron Distillery. We discovered the hard way though that getting an Uber home again (9pm/10pm) is almost impossible! Both our Uber drivers finished their shifts at 5pm - there is a considerable deficit of Uber drivers in the evenings. We were able to get Taxis, and we recommend Byron Bay Taxis (02 6685 5008) as they were quick to answer the phone and had a taxi to us within 20 minutes (it took us 20 minutes to give up waiting on Uber to find us a driver through the app!). The Taxi fare was double the Uber fare.
Byron Bay Distillery Tours
If you want to visit several distilleries (and a few breweries while you're at it) and have someone else do the driving, then your best option is to join a small group tour. Check out the following companies to see which tours best suit your needs/preferences:
Where to Stay in Byron Bay
We prefer to stay in the surrounding areas of Byron (such as in Brunswick Heads or Mullumbimby) as Byron town is incredibly popular and swarming with tourists, especially on the weekends and during school holidays. Byron certainly gives you the broadest range of accommodation and entertainment options though. As we often travel with our dog (Muffin) we tend to stay in self-contained cottages, and our preferred platform in this instance is VRBO (also known as Stayz) as we've found their search results to be more reliable when looking for particular features (such as whether a property will accept dogs).
Byron Bay Accommodation Map
Other Things to Do in Byron Bay
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Cape Byron Lighthouse is a picturesque landmark that attracts visitors from all over the world. Located at the easternmost point in Australia, it offers panoramic views of the stunning coastline and clear blue waters. The historic lighthouse, built in 1901, is not only beautiful, but also serves as a vital navigational aid for ships. Visitors can take a guided tour and learn more about its rich history, or simply enjoy the scenic walk leading up to the lighthouse and soak in the natural beauty. Note: it is $10 per vehicle per hour to park and there is limited parking available.
Minyon Falls
The magnificent Minyon Falls, located within the Nightcap National Park, is a perfect place to connect with nature. It boasts a spectacular 100-metre waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest, creating an idyllic and tranquil setting for visitors. The walking tracks through the rainforest offer the opportunity to encounter native wildlife and admire ancient trees, while the lookout point provides an unobstructed view of the falls. For adventurous souls, there is also an option to swim in the plunge pool at the base of the falls. Note: Minyon Falls is in the National Park so you cannot bring your Muffin.