The Best Distilleries in Hobart to Swill Local Spirits
Tasmania’s become a frontrunner for top-shelf whisky and gin, so head to these best distilleries in Hobart to get sipping at the source.
In recent years, Tasmania has emerged as a major player in the global gin and whisky game. Spirit enthusiasts now flock to Australia’s southernmost state to visit all the best distilleries in Hobart to sample the local products and take a bottle (or three) home for themselves.
From gin crafted using Tasmanian botanicals to whisky made with locally grown barley, there’s something unique about the spirits distilled down in Tassie. If you want to try them out for yourself on your next trip, we’ve rounded up the best distilleries in Hobart to visit for a taste-test.
LARK Distillery
Founded by Bill and Lyn Lark back in 1992, LARK Distillery single-handedly revived the whisky industry in not only Tassie, but Australia. Whisky distilleries were outlawed in 1838, but Bill Lark recognised that the Tasmanian climate was perfect for whisky production. So he brought it back, and LARK has gone on to become the first Australian distillery to produce single malt whisky in 154 years.
LARK is now the forefront of whisky in Tasmania and in 2020 was named in the top four of the Worldwide Whisky Producer Of The Year award at the prestigious International Whiskey and Spirits Competition.
One of the most popular distilleries in Hobart, LARK is actually located at Pontville, about 35 minutes out of the CBD. Set amongst restored historical buildings making up the “whisky village”, you can tour the site, learn about what goes into the production and of course taste incredible, award-winning LARK whisky along the way. If you can’t make it out to Pontville, LARK also has a cellar door located in Hobart’s wharf precinct and The Still, a whisky bar.
LARK Pontville Distillery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Distillery tours run at 1pm and cost $69 per person.
76 Shene Road, Pontville (LARK Distillery)
14 Davey Street, Hobart (LARK Cellar Door)
30 Argyle Street, Hobart (The Still)
Hartshorn Distillery
Hartshorn is a truly unique Tasmanian gin that uses sheep whey in its production – the only distillery in the world that does so. Built on the same property as Grandvewe Cheeses and owned by the same folks, they started experimenting with using leftover sheep whey to make vodka and eventually gin, with surprisingly delicious results.
Blended with local botanicals like lemon myrtle, anise myrtle, wattleseed, juniper berries and Tasmanian pepper leaf, Hartshorn gin tastes incredible and looks great, with its signature black bottle with handwritten label. Visit the distillery at Birchs Bay, about 40 minutes south of Hobart CBD, and participate in a tasting ($15 per person) or the Spirited Alchemist experience ($150 per person, includes your own 500mL bottle of gin) before enjoying a sheep cheese plate overlooking the stunning D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.
59 Devlyns Road, Birchs Bay
7K Distillery
Known for its famous Tasmanian Raspberry Gin, 7K Distillery (named after the 7000 postcode of Tasmania) has a whole slew of other delish and one-of-a-kind spirits to try, like its citrus-laced Modern Tasmanian Gin, the Dry Chilli Gin and even some whiskies.
Located in Derwent Park, 7K is one of a handful of urban distilleries in Hobart and is easily accessible if you’re looking to stay in the city and sample some gins. Head to the website to book – there’s a few options including a core tasting of three gins ($25 per person), a three-whisky tasting ($35 per person), a deluxe tasting of gins, whiskies and liqueurs ($75 per person) and a Saturday Special for $50 per person.
2/33 Pearl Street, Derwent Park
Killara Distillery
Killara owner/operator Kristy Lark-Booth’s parents are behind the world-famous LARK Distillery, so whisky is quite literally in her blood. Having learnt the trade from her folks, she branched out on her own to open Killara Distillery in the beautiful, historic town of Richmond (about 30 minutes out of Hobart).
The distillery produces both whisky and gin and you can book a tour online or head there every second Friday night to sit out on the meadow and enjoy dinner from the food truck or BYO picnic. You’ll probably get to hang out with the distillery dog, Bonnie, while you’re there.
32 Ogilvie Lane, Richmond
Spring Bay Distillery
Spring Bay has two distilleries producing both gin and whisky – one at Spring Beach on Tasmania’s east coast and another conveniently located in Hobart. Visit the cellar door to try its award-winning single malt whisky or pink gin and learn about how the distillery’s coastal location directly affects the unique flavour of its spirits.
The gin tasting is $15 per person and whisky is $20, and the distillery also offers a more immersive 45 minute tasting and tour for $35 per person. If you want a premium whisky experience (including filling your own bottle straight from the barrel) that will set you back $90.
205 Kennedy Drive, Cambridge
Overland
One of the most unique distilleries in Hobart, Overland was dreamed up by three mates who had years of combined experience in the wine, craft beer and spirits industries and wanted to disrupt the game.
They launched Overland in 2022 with the aim of crafting and pairing beers and whiskies in the tradition of a “boilermaker” – the name given to expertly pairing and serving these drinks side-by-side.
This working distillery and brewery is located in a refurbished warehouse with an on-site taproom, bar and a food truck serving burgers to keep punters well fed. It’s dog friendly too, so there will likely be a pooch or two begging for a chip.
284 Argyle Street, North Hobart
Hellfire Bluff Distillery
Less than an hour out of Hobart on the road to Port Arthur, Hellfire Bluff is a distillery with a view – of stunning Marion Bay on Tasmania’s southeast coast, no less. Serving up small batch spirits including award-winning gins, vodka and even an Italian-inspired limoncello made from local lemons, Hellfire Bluff offers free tastings but doesn’t do a formal tour. However, the friendly and super knowledgeable staff are happy to chat through the processes of how they produce the brand’s small batch spirits.
55 Craigs Hill Road, Boomer Bay
Old Kempton
You’ll find Old Kempton Distillery built in an old colonial inn about 40 minutes from Hobart in the charming little town of Kempton. A distillery producing top-tier whisky and gin, there’s a cellar door and cafe on site serving up incredible meals to pair with your whisky or gin flights. On a fine day, sit out in the courtyard and enjoy live music on weekends while you swill Old Kempton’s finest spirits.
26 Main Street, Kempton
Sullivans Cove
One of the most famous distilleries in Hobart, Sullivans Cove is Australia’s most awarded whisky, with several of its single malts picking up worldwide acclaim. The Hobart distillery cellar door is currently getting a makeover and in the meantime, Sullivans Cove is holding whisky tastings at Cascade Brewery’s The Mill between 11am and 5pm daily.
1/10 Lamb Place, Cambridge (currently closed for renovation)
140 Cascade Road, South Hobart for tastings
