The best things in life come in threes, and at Great Ocean Road Gin, you'll find a Distillery, a Gin Kitchen, and a Tasting Room, creating a trifecta of delights.
In November 2017, founder Ann Houlihan and her partner Kris Mckie embarked on a sea change to Anglesea, where Ann began crafting her small batch craft gin infused with regional botanicals.
Inspired by the thriving food scene in Geelong and the Surf Coast region, they eagerly joined the growing food community along the coast. The natural environment and rugged beauty of the Great Ocean Road served as their muse for crafting coastal gins with a playful brand that pays homage to their favourite place in the world and their love for premium gin.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
The duo’s focus was on using local ingredients and botanicals that truly reflect the coastline. Initially, they collaborated with a local indigenous nursery to identify the unique plants growing in the region. With their sights set on creating unique dining destinations along the Ocean Road, Ann and Kris are passionately dedicated to serving quality food and drinks.
In December 2022, the doors opened to their new Torquay-based distillery in Sawmills Way. Their gins are meticulously crafted using a 300L Australian copper pot still sourced from Tasmania. The distillery is not just a production hub; it also boasts a retail store and a cellar door bar open on Fridays and Saturdays. Here, gin enthusiasts can savour gin and tonics, tasting trays, and expertly crafted cocktails.
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At the Distillery Cellar door bar, you’ll find a variety of tasting trays featuring the complete gin range, mini negroni, and mini martini tastings, along with signature cocktails prominently featuring the Great Ocean Road Gin. The snack menu caters to various dietary preferences, offering options like Pork or Veggie Bao Buns, Vegan or Veggie Gozleme, Turkish Bread and Dip, Chips, and Nuts. As a cherry on top, the tasting kitchen and garden host a weekly happy hour every Friday from 5-6pm, making it a welcoming spot for families, including well-behaved fur babies.
Great Ocean Road Gin has curated an exciting lineup of event experiences at their Torquay Distillery, enticing you and your friends out of winter hibernation and into spring. From cocktail-making classes to live music, DJ grooves, and entertaining karaoke nights, these events promise to sweep you away from any weather worries. Don’t miss their Distill Chills weekends, where you can unwind with free live music from local and emerging artists, complemented by the perfect backdrop of their copper pot still Joanie. Keep an eye out for their monthly events, including Queer nights, karaoke, and cocktail-making classes.
Additionally, they have a Tasting Room & Gin Garden, and a restaurant called The Gin Kitchen in Aireys Inlet. The Gin Kitchen offers a delightful experience where you can indulge in their unique coastal Gins, handcrafted in small batches. Their tasting trays, carefully curated cocktails, and selection of local beers and wines further elevate the experience.
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DISTILLERY
1/8 Sawmills Way, Torquay
OPEN: Friday, 5-8pm, Saturday 12:30 – 7pm.
SHOP: Monday – Friday, 12:30-5pm.
TASTING KITCHEN & GARDEN
32/34 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet
OPEN: Wednesday – Thursday, 5:30-8, Friday – Saturday, 3-8 & Sundays, 12-8pm
Find out more here.
