Winter is here and wow is it chilly – best time to warm up with a beautiful glass of wine…or two maybe? Wanted to share a potential story idea around wine experiences in Australia.
With more than 60 wine regions across the country that produce over 100 grape varieties, Australia is an iconic wine country and is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world. The winter season is a great time to bundle up, take a trip out to admire the vines, and sip on some of the vineyard’s newest releases.
As you make plans to sip away for the weekend, Tripadvisor has put together a list of drool-worthy wine experiences that offer exclusive wine tastings, food pairings and behind-the-scenes winemaking to help you wine-down this winter:
Margaret River Wine Adventure – Margaret River, Western Australia
Ranked the No. 2 Top Experience in Australia in this year’s Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards, the Margaret River Wine Adventure is the tour for people who ‘don’t do’ tours. Discover the natural beauty and great wines of the Margaret River region on a small-group tour by luxury 4WD. Take a canoe trip on the Margaret River, visit a picturesque beach, and see an ancient waterhole where you learn about Aboriginal traditions. Stop for lunch and wine tastings at Fraser Gallop Estate, a renowned local winery, then head to the Cape Track for a walk and exhilarating off-road ride.
From AU$193 per person
Yarra Valley Wine & Food Day Tour from Melbourne – Melbourne, Victoria
Another Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best winner, this experience is ranked the No. 9 Best Wine, Beer & Spirits Experiences in the World! Escape the city and relax in rural Victoria on this hassle-free Yarra Valley tour from Melbourne. Visit the best of the region’s wineries, handpicked by your guide, and sample their wines. Unlike other Yarra Valley tours, this experience includes lunch at a winery and a cheese tasting at De Bortoli Winery.
From AU$230 per person
Tamar Valley Wine Tour with Lunch – Launceston, Tasmania
Discover the Tamar Valley on a small-group wine tasting tour from Launceston. Visit 4 local vineyards, sample wines and cheeses, and tuck into a delicious gourmet lunch over the course of the day. Learn about the history of the region and tips for wine tasting from your guide.
From AU$159 per person
Day Trip with Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine – Sydney, New South Wales
This full-day Hunter Valley food and wine tour, led by a professional chef, is perfect for Sydney visitors wanting to get a true taste of the region’s world-renowned food scene. Discover what’s new in culinary culture while leaving the logistics to the professionals. See the Sydney Fish Market, try local specialties like kangaroo, roll your own sushi, and taste a variety of wines in the Hunter Valley.
From AU$208 per person
Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour – Brisbane, Queensland
The scenic hinterlands around Mount Tamborine are home to some of Queensland’s most popular boutique wineries and lie just north of the Gold Coast. On this tour, visit five different wineries; sample a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines; and indulge in a 2-course lunch at a winery restaurant.
From AU$175 per person
Barossa Valley Wineries Tour – Adelaide, South Australia
Explore the Barossa Valley on a full-day wine tasting tour that includes visits to four wineries, a delicious lunch, and stops at the Whispering Wall, the town of Tanunda and Mengler’s Hill Lookout. Visit renowned wineries such as Chateau Yaldara, Peter Lehmanns, Rosenvale Wines and Wolf Blass to taste a variety of wines from both new and established producers. Your knowledgeable guide shares behind-the-scenes facts about the valley with your small group, giving you insight into the legendary winemaking region.
From AU$159 per person
Swan Valley Winery Experience – Perth, Western Australia
Discovering the world-class vineyards of the Swan Valley is made easier with a guide to create the itinerary. This tour from central Perth includes tastings at cellar doors known for their premium wines and unique ambience. In addition to wine and beer, you’ll feast on gourmet platters, cheese boards, chocolates, and truffles.
From AU$130 per person
Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Picnic with Wine Masterclass Tasting – Pokolbin, New South Wales
One of the Hunter Valley’s oldest cellar doors, the Audrey Wilkinson estate and museum will appeal to wine lovers wanting to discover the region’s longest-standing wines. Make the most of a visit with this private masterclass and picnic-in-the-vineyards experience. After charting the Wilkinsons’ heritage at the museum, enjoy a masterclass and tasting. Then, collect a gourmet picnic basket with wine to savour a private picnic in the estate’s vine-coated hills.
From AU$85 per person
McLaren Vale Wine Tour by Bike – Adelaide, South Australia
Explore the McLaren Vale wine region on this guided bike tour. Ride through Kuitpo Forest on your way to at least two wineries for tastings. Plus, a lunch with produce from local farms is included. You don’t need to be an experienced cyclist to enjoy the tour, just follow along and enjoy the ride.
From AU$159 per person
Boutique Atherton Tablelands Small-Group Food and Wine Tasting Tour – Cairns, Queensland
Get a taste of the Atherton Tablelands during this 10-hour food tour and tasting experience from Cairns. Learn about how the volcanic soil allows cultivation of diverse range of produce and taste the spoils of this region.
From AU$235 per person
