Twenty-plus independent breweries, award-winning distilleries, artisan food producers, and iconic markets — all connected by guided tours through the most delicious region in Queensland.
The Sunshine Coast has earned its title as Australia's Craft Beer Capital, boasting more craft breweries per capita than any other region in the country. In 2015, there was just one brewery — today there are more than twenty, stretching from beachside taprooms in Caloundra and Mooloolaba to hinterland brewhouses nestled in the rolling hills of Maleny and the Noosa Hinterland.
But the story goes well beyond beer. A thriving ecosystem of boutique distilleries, artisan food producers, farmers' markets, and farm-to-table restaurants has transformed the Sunshine Coast into one of Australia's most exciting food and drink destinations. Think organic gin distilled in subtropical rainforest, cheese aged in the hinterland, chocolate handcrafted from single-origin beans, and ginger products made from a recipe dating back to 1941.
Guided brewery and food tours are the best way to experience it all — you get behind-the-scenes access, expert commentary, tasting flights, gourmet lunches, and scenic hinterland drives, all without worrying about who's driving. From half-day tasters to full-day immersions, there's a tour for every palate and budget.
The Sunshine Coast's craft scene spans south to north — each venue with its own character, specialty brews, and stories. Here are the highlights every visitor should know about.
Award-Winning
Champion Small Australian Brewer (2023). Perched on the beachfront esplanade at Moffat Beach in Caloundra, with their brewery in full public view. Renowned for their Moff's Summer Ale and a rotating lineup of craft beers brewed metres from the ocean.
Brewery
A triple-threat — great beer, excellent coffee, and incredible food set against the lush hills of Maleny. Famous for fruit sours featuring Sunshine Coast Hinterland flavours, including gold-medal winning Apricot Sour and Strawberry Rhubarb Sour wheat beers. Second location in Baringa.
Brewery
Built on mateship and sessionable beers — tropical pale ales, crisp lagers, and crowd-pleasing brews designed for sharing. Venues in Kawana and the Noosa Hinterland with food, tasting paddles, and the quintessential Sunshine Coast vibe.
Brewery
Street art, skate culture, and seriously good beer. Taprooms in Mooloolaba and Coolum with bold creations — from the award-winning Deadbeat Crisp Ale to their Rage Juicy Pale Ale. Live events, comedy nights, and an unmistakable punk aesthetic.
Distillery
Best Queensland Distillery (2025 Royal Queensland Awards). Certified organic gin, vodka, rum and specialty spirits pot-distilled in hinterland rainforest near the Big Pineapple. Open daily from 10am with tastings, cocktails, and a picnic-friendly terrace. Kids and dogs welcome.
Science meets beer passion — a totally sustainable brewery integrated with a Vertical Farm system. The onyx-coloured industrial taproom features 15 taps, a weekend rescue animal farmyard, local gelato, cheese boxes, and live music. Family and dog-friendly.
Food
An iconic Sunshine Coast food destination in Yandina, producing the world's finest ginger since 1941. Free admission to grounds, with paid tours, train rides, a gelateria, and the heritage village shops. A perfect food tour stop for families and foodies alike.
Market
One of Australia's premier artisan markets — over 600 stalls every Wednesday and Saturday with fresh produce, gourmet food, arts, crafts, and live music. A must-visit foodie stop 30 minutes from Noosa and 15 minutes from the brewery belt.
Here's what a typical guided full-day Sunshine Coast brewery and food tour looks like. Operators customise routes based on the day, season, and group preferences.
Your guide collects you from your Sunshine Coast accommodation in an air-conditioned minibus. Enjoy local commentary as you head into the hinterland.
Arrive at a leading craft brewery for a guided tour of the brewing process and a tasting paddle of 4–6 beers, including seasonal and limited-release brews.
Visit a second brewery with a different style. Enjoy tasting paddles followed by a paired gourmet lunch — local produce, craft burgers, wood-fired pizza, or tapas platters.
Tour a boutique distillery for gin, vodka, or rum tastings. Meet the makers, learn about pot distillation, and sample craft spirits you won't find in bottle shops.
A surprise final stop tailored to the group — perhaps a hinterland winery, a chocolate maker, an artisan cheese cellar, or a third brewery with a completely different vibe.
Arrive back at your accommodation with a belly full of craft beer, spirits, great food, and enough brewery recommendations to fill the rest of your trip.
Multiple tour operators offer guided brewery, distillery, and food tours — from half-day tasters to full-day immersions. All include transport, tastings, and expert guides.
Visit 2–3 breweries in around 4 hours. Includes tasting paddles at each stop, a snack or light lunch, and return transport. Perfect for afternoon sessions.
The complete experience — 3–4 venues over 6–7 hours including breweries, a distillery, gourmet lunch, and a food producer or winery stop. Our most popular option.
Dedicated spirits experience visiting 3–4 distilleries across the region. Gin, vodka, rum tastings plus a paired lunch. Around 5–6 hours with scenic hinterland drives.
Fully customised itinerary for your group — birthdays, hen/bucks, corporate events, or just mates. Choose your venues, set the pace. Available any day with flexible pick-up.
Book Ahead for WeekendsBrewery tours sell out, especially over school holidays and long weekends. Book online at least a few days in advance to secure your spot.
Download the Craft Beer Trail MapVisit Sunshine Coast publishes a free trail map covering all 20+ breweries — perfect for self-guided adventures if you have a designated driver.
Eat Before (or During) TastingsMost tours include lunch, but start the day with a solid breakfast. Pace yourself with water between tastings — there's a lot to drink across 3–4 venues.
Combine Beer + DistilleriesThe best tours mix breweries with a distillery stop for variety. Ask your operator about combo itineraries that include Sunshine & Sons or Beachtree.
Most Venues Are Family-FriendlyWhile tastings are 18+, many breweries welcome families with playgrounds, food, and non-alcoholic options. Terella even has a rescue animal farmyard on weekends.
Pair with Eumundi MarketsIf visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday, combine a brewery tour with a morning at Eumundi Markets for the ultimate food-and-drink day out on the Sunshine Coast.
Most guided brewery and distillery tours are for adults aged 18+. Some operators offer family-friendly options where children can attend but won't participate in tastings. Many individual breweries and food venues like The Ginger Factory and Eumundi Markets are family-friendly for self-guided visits.
Half-day tours typically run 4–5 hours, visiting 2–3 venues. Full-day tours run 6–7 hours and cover 3–4 venues including lunch. Most operators also offer custom durations for private groups.
Full-day tours typically include a gourmet lunch paired with beer, wine, or spirits at one of the brewery or restaurant stops. Half-day tours usually include snacks or a tasting platter. Check with your specific operator for exact inclusions.
Yes, most operators include return transport in air-conditioned minibuses with pick-up from hotels and accommodation across the Sunshine Coast. Some also offer Brisbane pick-ups at an additional charge. This means everyone in your group can enjoy the tastings safely.
Absolutely! Visit Sunshine Coast offers a free downloadable Craft Beer Trail Map covering all 20+ breweries. You'll need a designated driver, though. Many breweries are clustered in areas like Caloundra, Maroochydore/Mooloolaba, and Noosa, making it easy to walk between some venues.
Most operators can accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-specific needs with advance notice. Let your tour operator know at booking so they can arrange appropriate food pairings at each stop.
Popular operators include Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours (specialist since 2016), Coast to Hinterland Tours, Creative Tours (distillery-focused), Tasty Tours, and several private charter services. Each offers different itineraries, group sizes, and price points — Cooee Tours can help arrange the best fit for your group.
Combine your brewery and food experience with the Sunshine Coast's other incredible attractions — from iconic wildlife parks to pristine beaches and hinterland walks.
From beachside pints to hinterland hops, boutique gins to artisan cheese — the Sunshine Coast's food and drink scene is waiting. Let someone else drive.
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