From One Brewery to Twenty — A Craft Beer Revolution
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.
Breweries, Distilleries & Food Producers
The Sunshine Coast's craft scene spans from south to north — each venue with its own character, specialty brews, and stories. Here are the highlights every visitor should know about.
Award-WinningMoffat Beach Brewing Co
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.
BreweryBrouhaha 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.
BreweryYour Mates Brewing Co
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.
BreweryBlackflag Brewing Co
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.
DistillerySunshine & Sons 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.
InnovationTerella Brewing
Science meets beer passion. A totally sustainable brewery integrated with a Vertical Farm system that creates its own fresh water. The onyx-coloured industrial taproom features 15 taps, a weekend rescue animal farmyard, local gelato, cheese boxes, and live music. Family and dog-friendly.
FoodThe Ginger Factory
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-style village shops. A perfect food tour stop for families and foodies alike.
MarketEumundi Markets
One of Australia's premier artisan markets — over 600 stalls every Wednesday and Saturday with fresh produce, gourmet food, arts, crafts, and live music. The Saturday market is the flagship, drawing visitors from across Queensland. A must-visit foodie stop 30 minutes from Noosa.
A Full-Day Brewery & Food Tour
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.
Hotel Pick-Up & Scenic Drive
Your guide collects you from your Sunshine Coast accommodation in an air-conditioned minibus. Enjoy local commentary as you head into the hinterland.
First Brewery — Tasting Flight & Behind the Scenes
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.
Second Brewery — Tastings & Gourmet Lunch
Visit a second brewery with a different style and character. Enjoy tasting paddles followed by a paired gourmet lunch — think local produce, craft burgers, wood-fired pizza, or tapas platters.
Boutique Distillery — Spirit Tasting
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.
Wild Card Stop — Brewery, Winery, or Food Producer
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.
Return Drop-Off
Arrive back at your accommodation with a belly full of craft beer, spirits, great food, and enough stories and brewery recommendations to fill the rest of your trip.
Scenes from the Craft Beer Capital
Choose Your Adventure
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.
Half-Day Brewery Tour
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.
Full-Day Brewery & Food Tour
The complete experience — 3–4 venues over 6–7 hours including breweries, a distillery, gourmet lunch, and a food producer or winery stop. The most popular option.
Distillery & Gin Trail
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.
Private Group Tour
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.
🍺 Insider Tips for Your Brewery Tour
Book Ahead for Weekends Brewery 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 Map Visit 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) Tastings Most tours include lunch, but start the day with a solid breakfast. Pace yourself with water between tastings — there's a lot to drink.
Combine Beer + Distilleries The 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-Friendly While tastings are 18+, many breweries welcome families with playgrounds, food trucks, and non-alcoholic options. Terella even has a rescue animal farmyard.
Pair with Eumundi Markets If visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday, combine a brewery tour with a morning at Eumundi Markets for the ultimate food-and-drink day out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most guided brewery and distillery tours are for adults aged 18+, as they involve alcohol tastings. 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 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 the time of booking so they can arrange appropriate food pairings.
Popular operators include Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours (specialist beer tours 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.
Explore More on the Sunshine Coast
Combine your brewery and food experience with the Sunshine Coast's other incredible attractions — from iconic wildlife parks to pristine beaches.
Ready to Taste Australia's Craft Beer Capital?
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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