21 Epic Experiences For Every Australian Who Doesn't Mind A Drink

If there's one thing we know how to do, it's drink.

1. Illegal Tender, WA

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This little distillery in the middle of nowhere, Western Australia, makes some of the best rum in the country. Their spiced rum is made with 100% Aussie dark brown sugar, instead of cheap molasses, resulting in a smooth and naturally sweet syrup. There's no sugar added after distillation, and it's spiced with indigenous plants like Kakadu Plum, Lemon Myrtle, and Quandong. Stop in for a distillery tour and tasting — it's four hours north of Perth, but a good halfway point on a road trip up to Exmouth.

2. Sullivans Cove Distillery, TAS

Sullivan's Cove distillery literally makes the world's best whisky. It won ‘best single malt whisky’ at the World Whiskies Award two years in a row, which had never been done before. At the distillery in Cambridge, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of where the magic happens, learn all about the whisky-making process, sample their award-winning drink, and buy a couple bottles to take home.

3. Giniversity, WA

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Margaret River may be known for its wine, but you can also get some stellar gin down there too. At the Margaret River Distilling Company, you can enrol in their one-day Giniversity class. First you learn all about the process of making gin, then dive in and develop your own unique gin blend, using native Aussie botanic ingredients. The same class is held at their Albany location as well, if that's more convenient for you.

4. Gin School, SA

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Keen on gin but don't want to trek to Western Australia? There's a similar blending experience at Durand Distillery in the Barossa, just north of Adelaide. You'll make a bottle of your own unique craft gin, using a huge variety of different botanicals to find a flavour that you love.

5. Tamborine Mountain Distillery, QLD

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Something about a distillery in the mountains just feels so cozy, right? This boutique distillery in the Gold Coast hinterland makes a range of spirits with native ingredients — you can taste everything from apricot schnapps to eucalyptus gum leaf vodka. Sample a selection in their tasting room, or just park up at the bar for a couple of afternoon cocktails.

6. Bass & Flinders, VIC

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On the Mornington Peninsula, just an hour outside of Melbs, Bass & Flinders makes gin, brandy, and a range of spirits made with grapes grown right next door. The vine-to-bottle approach gives their drinks a rich, unique flavour that you'll just have to try for yourself. If tasting isn't enough, you can also join a masterclass and blend your own bottle.

7. Nashdale Lane Glamping, NSW

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Sometimes, after a wine tasting, you just want to stumble back to bed and watch Netflix. Well, at Nashdale Lane winery in Orange, you can stay right on the vineyard, in a luxe glamping "tent" between the vines. It's kitted out with a comfy bed, fireplace, showers and lounge area — so you don't even have to compromise on comfort.

8. Helicopter pub crawl, NT

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Everyone's done at least one pub crawl in their life, but how many can say that they've done it by helicopter? This tour in the Northern Territory is the best way to visit some of the country's most remote pubs without having to drive for hours through the Outback. It's got to be the most scenic pub crawl in the whole world.

9. Millionaire's Margarita, NSW

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This is one for the bucket list. At Bar Patrón by Rockpool in Sydney, you can order yourself a Millionaire's Margarita. It's made right in front of you at your table, with 150-year old Grand Marnier Cuvee du Cent Cinquantenaire, Remy Martin Louis XIII XO cognac, fresh finger lime pearls, and topped off with a gold leaf-adorned ice ball. Yes, it'll cost you $100 but it's a pretty cool experience.

10. Alcoholic Bubble Tea, VIC and NSW

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Bubble tea is all the rage at the moment, so it just makes sense to have an alcoholic version, right? B. Lucky and Sons bar in Melbourne is a must-visit for anyone who loves cocktails. There are a bunch on the menu with pearls and jellies, plus classic cocktails with a twist — like the margarita with a pepperberry salted rim. The bar itself is full of arcade games so you can really spend the whole night there.

They also have locations in Sydney, Wollongong, and Brisbane.

11. Adelaide Wine Train, SA

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Wine tours by minibus or car might be convenient, but how much cooler would it be on a steam train? Well, in the Adelaide Hills you can do just that. The Wine Train journey takes you from the city into the picturesque wine region, where you'll visit three wineries, have lunch in the countryside, and explore the beautiful landscapes.

12. HandleBar, SA

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If you've ever seen a group of people zoom past you on one of these bar/bike hybrids, you'll know that it looks like a lot of fun. The HandleBar in Adelaide calls themselves a pedal pub. Gather up some mates and make a playlist, then you're good to go! You can do a standard pub crawl, a brunch crawl with mimosas and iced coffee where you'll stop off at a cafe for food, or a dinner crawl to different restaurants around the CBD.

13. Mudgee winery ride, NSW

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A bicycle winery tour just sounds so damn wholesome, right? There are a ton of vineyard cycling trails across the country, but we really love the one in Mudgee. The 10 kilometre loop starts in town, and takes you past 22 different cellar doors. It's a beautiful route, and there's no better incentive for pedalling up hills than wine tastings. If you're going to get drunk, maybe skip the bikes – you can get a DUI if you're caught riding while intoxicated.

14. Tippled cocktail class, NSW

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If your DIY cocktail nights don't stretch far beyond vodka sodas, it's time to up your game. Why not take a cocktail class and learn all about how to pair flavours and really impress your friends with new drink creations. If you're in Sydney, Tippled run great classes, including one where you'll make drinks with native forageables found around the city.

15. IceBar, VIC

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At Australia's only ice bar, in Melbourne, you don warm capes and gloves, then drink cocktails from glasses made out of ice. The bar itself is also made from ice, and there are huge ice sculptures everywhere. You can do shots via an ice luge, then play a few rounds of avalanche Jenga. We reckon it's a pretty cool place to hang out.

16. Shifty Lizard Brewing, SA

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If you're in Adelaide and need a break from all the wine, Shifty Lizard has you covered. This small brewery in the McLaren Vale region is all about fun and good times, and you'll have exactly that when you pop in for a couple of drinks. Sit outside, soak up the views of the hills and vineyards, and try a tasting paddle of the different beers on offer.

17. Capital Brewing Co., ACT

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We can't forget about the ACT! Canberra may be small but there are some good things going on over there. Capital Brewing Co. makes the most of the city's excellent tap water, and turns it into crisp, delicious beer. You can buy it in bottle-os around the country, but if you drop in at their taproom you can try exclusive and seasonal releases that aren't available elsewhere. A brewery tour comes with a drink on arrival and a tasting flight. The best part? Dogs are welcome — and they even have a special doggy brew for them to drink.

18. Tasmania brew trail, TAS

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For a small island, Tassie sure has a lot of breweries that have popped up in the last few decades. There's even a dedicated beer trail that's a must-do for brewheads. It takes you between Hobart and Launceston, stopping in at a number of breweries along the way. You can do it in a day, or turn it into a full road trip.

19. Moon Dog Craft Brewery, VIC

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If you love it when breweries get creative with their beers, you're going to be a big fan of Moon Dog in Melbourne. Stop by their taproom to sample some of their more out-there flavours, like their peach and plum sour ale, cucumber, chilli, and coriander gose, white chocolate ale, or Tim Tam slam stout.

20. Tasmania Whiskey tour

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Tasmania knows how to do whisky. If you want to try it all, and have no idea where to start, hop on a tour and let the experts lead the way. This tour out of Hobart will take you to different distilleries, where you'll taste up to a dozen Tasmanian single malt whiskies, meet the makers, and learn about the distillation process. It's also a great excuse to get out of the city and explore the stunning Tassie countryside. Plus, the tour starts with a 'breakfast whisky' — how good is that?!

21. And finally, Hop-on-hop-off beer boat, QLD

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Whether you're a local or tourist, a boat-based pub crawl is the best way to experience Brisbane's bar scene. No traffic, no Uber surges, just drinks and good times. It's an all-day affair, that'll take you all over the city by boat, stopping in at breweries and pubs. Good times guaranteed!