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 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. Husk Rum makes for an interesting comparison with Byron Bay's Lord Byron rum, which is made with molasses.
Where is Husk Farm Distillery
Husk Farm Distillery is located near the QLD/NSW border, 15 minutes south of Tweed Heads and 30 minutes north of Byron Bay, at 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum NSW.. There is 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).
Husk Distillery History
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.
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.
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).
Husk Distillery Image Gallery
Click on the images below to view at full size and read captions
Organised Tours to Husk Distillery
If you want to have someone else do the driving, then the following companies offer tours to Husk Distillery: