Visitors looking for a hands-on taste of Tamborine Mountain can step beyond the traditional cellar door experience at Tamborine Mountain Distillery, where a range of interactive classes and workshops offer guests the opportunity to create their own spirits and liqueurs.
Founded more than two decades ago, the distillery has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals, with owner Gordon Chalmers saying the growing demand for immersive experiences has helped shape the business’s approach.
“Experiential tourism is huge,” Mr Chalmers said.
“People don’t travel all this way to have something they can get anywhere else. They want to experience local food, local drinks and learn where products come from.”
The distillery’s experiences include liqueur making classes, spirit making workshops, spirit blending sessions, cocktail masterclasses and citrus liqueur crafting workshops.
Participants can create their own personalised products while learning about ingredients, flavour profiles and the distillation process.
Depending on the class, guests can blend liqueurs, craft gin, vodka, rum, brandy or schnapps, or learn the techniques behind creating cocktails.
One of the most unique experiences is the citrus liqueur workshop, where visitors begin by heading into the orchard to pick their own fruit before returning to the classroom to create a take-home liqueur.
“We take them out around the orchard, and they pick the fruit themselves,” Mr Chalmers said.
“They bring it back, prepare it and then create their own limoncello or citrus liqueur. That’s the difference. It’s a real hands-on experience.”
Mr Chalmers said many visitors are seeking authentic and memorable activities, with travellers increasingly exploring destinations independently and looking for experiences they can share with family and friends.
The distillery also offers a range of tastings, tours, events and gift options, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring Tamborine Mountain.
“When it all comes together – the mountain, the scenery, the experience and the product you’ve made yourself – it’s a great day out,” he said.
For those looking to discover the craft behind distilling while creating something uniquely their own, Tamborine Mountain Distillery’s workshops offer an experience that goes well beyond simply enjoying a drink.
Bookings can be made at https://tamborinemountaindistillery.com/
