Top wine regions in Australia
Here in Australia, we love our food and wine almost as much as we love to explore — and with some of the most ideal winemaking conditions in the world right here, why not combine it all?
New South Wales
Hunter Valley
Australia’s oldest wine region and a weekend favourite that attracts visitors to over 150 cellar doors. Sip rich, oaky chardonnays, award-winning Semillon and sophisticated shiraz and cabernet while attending one of the regular vineyard concerts.
- Best for: A romantic hot air balloon ride or a getaway with friends featuring wine tasting and golf or a major music event.
- Popular wineries: Lindeman’s, Mount Pleasant, Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood Wines, De Bertoli, Tempus Two, Audrey Wilkinson Winery.
- Getting there: Drive from Newcastle in 90 minutes or from Sydney in under 3.5 hours. Stay at one of the charming Airbnbs in the Pokolbin region, or splash out for the luxurious Spicers Hunter Valley Retreat.
Orange
It’s the cool climate vineyards and enviable food scene that brings visitors to this region in New South Wales’ Central West. Explore over 60 high-altitude vineyards and 30 cellar doors including Australia’s only carbon-neutral winery, Ross Hill Wines. Even better, plan your trip to coincide with the Orange Wine FestivalOpens in a new tab or window in October.
- Best for: A bit of everything. The diversity of food, wine varieties, cider houses and breweries means that there’s something here for everyone.
- Popular wineries: Borrodell Estate, De Salis Wines, Nashdale Lane, Canobolas-Smith, Philip Shaw Wines, Ross Hill Wines, Swinging Bridge Wines.
- Getting there: Fly direct to Orange on QantasLink or drive from Sydney in just under 4 hours.
Mudgee
A charming foodie region that packs a punch for its remote location and small size. Sample robust reds and world-class chardonnays in one of the 35 cellar doors. Dine in paddock-to-plate restaurants adjacent to picturesque vineyards or take a heritage walking tour or cooking class.
- Best for: Something different still close to Sydney. Cycling through vineyards.
- Popular wineries: Lowe Wines, Logan Wines, First Ridge, The Cellar by Gilbert, Burrundala Wines, and Manners Wines.
- Getting there: Fly direct to Dubbo (1.5 hours from Mudgee) or Orange (2.5 hours from Mudgee) or drive from Sydney in approximately 3.5 hours.
Griffith Riverina Region
Done it all and looking for something new? The Riverina is where the Mediterranean climate and Italian history meet Australian wines. Visit destination restaurants including Limone DiningOpens in a new tab or window or explore the waterfalls, lookouts and caves of Cocaparra National Park before enjoying one of the region's famous semillon dessert wines.
- Best for: A Mediterranean foodie escape in the New South Wales countryside.
- Popular wineries: LillyPilly Estate wines, De Bertoli Wines, Calabria Family wines, Yarran Wines.
- Getting there: Fly direct to Griffith or drive from Canberra (4.5 hours) or Sydney (6.5 hours). For something different, Catania Fruit Salad Farm provides daily tours and tastings.
South Australia
Barossa Valley
One of the world’s great wine regions, this Australian icon is famous for full-flavoured reds like Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and grenache. Enjoy over 150 wineries dotted throughout picturesque vineyards and striking architecture like the palatial Chateau TanundaOpens in a new tab or window
- Best for: Beautiful architecture and picturesque vineyards and gardens. European-style villages and booming culinary scene, including heritage restaurants and local providores.
- Popular wineries: Penfold’s, Chateau Tanunda, Yalumba Family Winemakers, Seppeltsfield, Wolf Blass, Whistler Wines, Torbreck Vintners and Jacob’s Creek to name a few.
- Getting there: Less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide. Visit for a day, or visit The Louise, a slick hotel with vineyard views, an infinity pool, a fine dining restaurant and a wine bar, Novotel Barossa Valley or the luxurious Kingsford The Barossa.
McLaren Vale
Tucked in the Mount Lofty Ranges between rolling hills and white sandy coastline, and home to some of the most environmentally sustainable wineries in the country. Sample bold reds or embrace the diversity of grapes on offer, coupled with a foodie’s paradise – this region has something for everyone.
- Best for: Artsy and intriguing wineries like the d’Arenberg CubeOpens in a new tab or window, a five-story Rubik’s cube with a tasting room and restaurant set among Mourvèdre vines.
- Popular wineries: Chapel Hill, d’Arenberg, Beresford Estate, Down the Rabbit Hole Cellar Door and Restaurant, Gemtree Wines, Maxwell Wines.
- Getting there: Only a 45-minute drive from Adelaide CBD. Close enough to visit for lunch, or stay in a nearby beach town or the stunning Hotel California at Inkwell Wines.
Clare Valley
Clare Valley’s diversity of soil, altitude and climate has created a unique variety of quality grapes in one region. Riesling, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are some of the best to taste in one of the dozens of cellar doors — all among rolling hills and fresh air in this beautiful region north of the Barossa.
- Best for: Country pubs and bike/hike trails. Try the Riesling Trail, a full-day ride curving one way through 35km of lush countryside and vineyards.
- Popular wineries: Pikes, O’Leary Walker, Taylors Wines, Shut the Gate Wines, Jim Barry Wines, Pike Wines and Sevenhill Cellars.
- Getting there: Under 2 hours’ drive from Adelaide. Stay at the historic Bungaree Station or among beautiful gum-lined vineyards at Skillogalee Winery, Restaurant and Accommodation.
Adelaide Hills
In hopping distance to the CBD, Adelaide Hills boasts picturesque hillside vineyards and European-influenced villages like Australia’s oldest settlement of HahndorfOpens in a new tab or window Sample bratwurst and other German delicacies, relax amid lush leafy scenery while you sip cool-climate classics like sauvignon blanc, sparkling chardonnay and pinot noir.
- Best for: Proximity to the city. A little piece of Germany in South Australia. Iconic Mount Lofty House Estate and Sequoia Lodge with impeccable reviews and heartfelt service.
- Popular wineries: Bird in Hand, Hahndorf Hill, Shaw & Smith, Penfold’s Magill Estate, Golding Wines, Mt Lofty Ranges, and The Lane.
- Getting there: Only 20 minutes’ drive east of Adelaide. Make a weekend of it and visit the Mount Lofty House, surrounded by botanic gardens, onsite three hat fine dining restaurant overlooking the stunning Piccadilly Valley.
Victoria
Yarra Valley
Only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s most historic and popular wine regions. Famous for award-winning restaurants and cellar doors offering quality cool-climate drops including pinot noir, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.
- Best for: Escaping the city for a gourmet lunch, hot air ballooning over valleys and vineyards.
- Popular wineries: De Bertoli, Domaine Chandon, Rochford, TarraWarra, Dominique Portet, Seville Estate.
- Getting there: Only an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Make a day trip of it, or stay at one of the many Airbnbs in the region or nearby Dandenong Ranges.
Rutherglen
The gold rush brought wines to this historic region. Considered the fortified wine capital of Australia, you’re not going to find a better place to sample bold reds or crisp white varieties while surrounded by a palette of greenery from vineyards, produce fields and quintessential Aussie bushland.
- Best for: A winter escape. World-class vineyards among historic towns and Aussie bushland.
- Popular wineries: All Saints Estate, Campbells Wines, Morris Wines, St Leonards.
- Getting there: Fly to Albury with QantasLink or drive from Melbourne in 3 hours. Rutherglen Convent, Mount Ophir Estate or The Tower all offer unique historic accommodation.
Mornington Peninsula
Also within an hour’s drive of Melbourne, this region is perfect for a day out or a wine-tasting weekend by the beach. Sample perfect pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay on the grounds of Montalto, or stroll through the sculptures at Point Leo EstateOpens in a new tab or window overlooking Western Port Bay.
- Best for: A combined beach and cellar door weekend.
- Popular wineries: Paringa Estate, Jackalope, Montalto, Point Leo Estate, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Merricks Creek Winery.
- Getting there: Only an hour's drive south of Melbourne. Make it special and stay at the architecturally spectacular Jackalope, a five-star hotel among vineyards featuring an infinity pool and fine dining restaurant Rare Hare.
Western Australia
Margaret River
This western wonder is blessed with a Mediterranean climate and fringed by the Indian Ocean. Sample wines in one of over 100 wineries, award-winning restaurants, and architecturally designed cellar doors, such as those at the impressive Amelia Park WinesOpens in a new tab or window Stay longer and make the most of coastal cliffside walking trails, native forests and those famed West Coast sunsets.
- Best for: A one-stop shop for coastal walks, surfing and wineries. Quality boutique dining experiences like Miki’s Open Kitchen.
- Popular wineries: Amelia Park, Cullen Biodynamic Wines, Vasse Felix, Juniper Estate, Voyager Estate, Victory Point, Leeuwin Estate.
- Getting there: Fly to Busselton, or drive three hours from Perth. Stay in Cape Lodge or Indijup Spa Retreat or nearby Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup or Augusta.
Tasmania
Tasmania and the Southern Wine Trail
Tasmania is world-renowned for top-quality farm produce, seafood and artisanal foods, so it’s no surprise that their wine game is also strong. Follow the Southern Wine TrailOpens in a new tab or window in and around Freycinet Peninsula and stop at Devil’s CornerOpens in a new tab or window Cellar Door, overlooking sloping hills and the ocean below.
- Best for: A cellar door detour on your foodie’s tour of Tassie. Tastings accompanied by mussels, abalone and artisinal cheese.
- Popular wineries: Josef Chromy Wines, Pooley Wines, Clover Hill, Stefano Lubiana Wines, Riversdale Estate, Ghost Rock Wines, Stoney Vineyard, Freycinet Vineyard, Pipers Brook, Devil’s Corner.
- Getting there: The Southern Wine Trail is within a couple of hours’ driving distance of Hobart. Fly to Tasmanian with Qantas and stay in one of the hundreds of wineries, Airbnbs and luxury hotels in the state. For something extra special, Freycinet Resort, Piermont Retreat and Saffire Freycinet are among the best.
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