You can find exquisite wine all over Australia, as it is produced in all of its states, although mostly gravitating towards the south due to the cooler climate there. With more than 60 of these wine regions, if you’re planning to explore a bit of this side of Australia you have a lot to choose from.
Wine regions are not only worth visiting because of the fine wines and gourmet food served with them. Australia is a beautiful continent and every corner of it hides something remarkable. Wine regions are no exception from this as the rolling hills and the expansive valleys provide a view that will let you experience tranquility like nothing else before. Without further ado, here are some of the top-rated wine regions in Australia you should definitely consider visiting in the near future.
Barossa Valley — An Historic Wine Region
Vineyards on the hills of Bethany, Barossa Valley, South Australia. Photo by Stephen Michael Barnett. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
We simply must start this list with Barossa Valley, arguably one of the premier wine regions of this continent, located in South Australia about an hour’s drive from Adelaide. It is a historic wine region whose roots go back all the way to the 19th century, when German settlers arrived. Barossa Valley boasts more than 150 wineries so you will have a lot on your plate if you want to fully experience it, but whatever you do, don’t skip their full-bodied Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Barossa Valley is also famous for its farmer’s markets – there are lots of gardeners and orchardists in the region so you can rest assured you will find the finest produce on these markets. You can also stop by just to have breakfast – you will be served the famous local Market Burger with a special blend of coffee. Also, don’t forget to check out the event calendar for the time you are visiting, as festivals, live music and other food-related events abound.
Wines of Tasmania
Sparkling wine harvest, Tamar Valley, Tasmania. Photo by Mark Smith. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Tasmania is worth visiting for many reasons, as this state is a wonderful natural paradise with unique wildlife and sights to behold. However, wine lovers now have another great reason to pay a visit to this island as it has some truly exquisite wines. Tamar Valley is the most prominent wine region in Tasmania, located near Launceston in the north. Wines you should not skip here are the amazing Pinot Noirs and Riesling, but sparkling wines are magnificent too.
If you decide to visit Tamar Valley, you should not miss out on exploring the area: you can drive by the river and marvel at the beautiful sights along the way. Don’t forget to stop by Brady’s Lookout on the way, as well as the wetlands where you can have a relaxing walk while marveling at the birdlife. In addition, the Bridestowe Lavender Farm is located nearby as well so if it’s the flowering season, you don’t want to miss out on seeing the expansive fields of fragrant flowers and snag a few souvenirs.
Hunter Valley — A Favorite Wine Region
Located in New South Wales, which is already a great advantage in itself as this state truly boasts some scenic places and so many things to do that your week holiday won’t be enough, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s favorite wine regions for all the right reasons. Relaxing and unwinding are the name of the game here and the fantastic wine and food will ensure that you enjoy every moment of your stay, so book your Hunter Valley wine tours and you can just sit back. Sip on some exquisite Semillon that this region is so famous for and forget about all your worries.
Hunter Valley is also a center of all things fun – from festivals through beautiful gardens all the way to hot air balloon flights above the vast landscape, you will find that you don’t want to leave. If you’re an animal lover or if you are with your kids, don’t miss out on the Hunter Valley Zoo where you can watch shows and have unique encounters with amazing animals.
Victoria — A Perfect Climate for Vineyards
View from Yarra Yering in Victoria, Australia. Photo by Jameson Fink. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Traveling a bit further south, you will find yourself in Victoria, which is another amazing state where you won’t get bored. This state has a perfect climate for wine production so it’s no wonder it has numerous wine regions to choose from. Choosing just one is certainly not easy, but if you must, make that one Yarra Valley. Also dating back to the 1800s, this picturesque region is famous for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, so make sure you have a taste of them during your explorations.
Another great thing about Yarra Valley is that Melbourne is basically located in the heart of it. With such an outstanding cultural and historic city right at your fingertips, your travels will be even more enriched. Add to this the fact that the natural sights of the area are nothing short of breathtaking with impressive mountain ranges and lush forests perfect for hiking, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect holiday.
The Granite Belt — Try Some Unique Wines
Winter in the Granite Belt. Photo by Christoph Rupprecht. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
You don’t necessarily have to travel all the way to the south if you want to enjoy exquisite Australian wines. Queensland has its fair share of good wines too, so if you don’t want to leave the Sunshine State – no one is blaming you for that – then head to Granite Belt instead. Thanks to the elevation (1000 meters above sea level) the pleasant, cool temperatures here allow for some truly fine varieties. What’s more, those looking for something unique should definitely check out Granite Belt, as the area is famous for some “Strange Birds” – alternative wine varieties (coming from vines that make up less than 1% of what the country has).
You might also be wondering what gave the area the name “Granite Belt”. Well, make sure that when you are making your winery visits, you also devote some time to explore the local nature and you will find out soon enough. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures!
Kangaroo Island — A wine Region in its Entirety
Kangaroo Island in Australia. Photo by Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
If you want to explore an island that is a wine region in its entirety, take another trip to South Australia and head to Kangaroo Island where you will be able to make friends with these animals while trying some of the best wines out there. Kangaroo Island is one of the newest wine regions in the country, but it has plenty to choose from when it comes to vineyard visits. You will encounter outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and so on.
Kangaroo Island is also a great choice if you want to enjoy the seaside and all the great things it comes with. You will catch a glimpse of wild animals such as seals and also explore interesting spots such as the Remarkable Rocks. Kangaroo Island is a great choice for even those who like active travel as you will have the opportunity to try activities such as sandboarding, kayaking, horse riding and many more.
Western Australia — 200 Vineyards along the Margaret River
Margaret River Wine Country. Photo by Tim & Julie Wilson. Edited and reused under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Finally, Western Australia should not be left off this list either with such amazing wine regions as Margaret River down in the south. Take a flight to Perth and from there, you can easily get to Margaret River, where you can enjoy amazing wine tours taking you behind the scenes and sip some of the local Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, whichever is your cup of tea.
It is also important to mention that Margaret River is actually one of the largest wine regions in all of Australia, boasting over 200 vineyards. But even beyond that, the area is as beautiful as it gets, with amazing seaside views and opportunities to indulge in your favorite water sports and activities.
Plan Your Trip to Explore Fine Australian Wines
Australia is a notable wine producer and it’s quite easy to see why if you’ve ever tried some of the country’s premium wines. A trip to this country to savor their best wines while enjoying all the beautiful scenery this land has to offer can only be an amazing experience.
Tourism Australia
Ultimate Winery Experiences in Australia
More Places to Visit in Australia & New Zealand
About the Photo
The photo in the header above is a summer photo of vineyards in Australia taken by Ajac.
About the Author
This article was written by Nina Simons, an Australia based blogger.
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