Breweries, distilleries and wineries becoming Coast’s major drawcard

Breweries, distilleries and wineries are fast becoming a major drawcard to the Gold Coast — a market that spends “significantly more” on travel than any other.

ALMOST 300,000 visitors to the Gold Coast have said visiting wineries, breweries and distilleries is their most important reason to come.

Figures released by Destination Gold Coast as part of its 2017 Gold Coast Australian Travel Survey show 287,000 Australians visited the Gold Coast for its growing brewing industry.

This particular tourism market spends “significantly more” on travel, averaging $6300 a year. This is 27 per cent higher than the national average.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the Coast’s wineries, craft breweries and distilleries were becoming an important reason to visit.

HUSK DISTILLERY OPENING UP PROPERTY TO PUBLIC

Guy Scruton from Aardvark and Arrow which is part of a growing number of breweries around the Gold Coast. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“Our research tells us that Australian travellers love visiting and participating in these activities, with one in four holiday-makers making it a priority,” she said.

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“This market has the potential to attract 3.5 million adult Australians … Boutique wines, microbreweries and micro-distilleries in particular are in high demand. Nationally, this trend is exceeding supply and Gold Coast traders are providing quality and award-winning bespoke experiences and products to fuel the demand.

Cheers! Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“There are more than 600 craft breweries in Australia and the Gold Coast is home to 2 per cent of the market, so there is room to grow.

“The Gold Coast is in a great position to benefit from new and repeat visitors who are keen to spend up big in Australia’s favourite holiday playground.”

But it’s not only tourism numbers that are keeping the Coast’s breweries and distilleries in business. Many operators say they thrive off the locals.

The owner of gin distillery Granddad Jacks, Luke Ridden, said there was “no doubt” interest in the business had grown since it first opened mid-last year.

Black Hops Brewery has been so successful they've opened a second location in Biggera Waters. Owners Dan Norris and Michael McGovern toast future success at the plant. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Everyone’s really trying to be local focused, it’s about trying to keep your money in your own community almost,” he said. “Everyone likes supporting the little guy and we’re really lucky on the Gold Coast to have a lot of local support. That’s what keeps most of our businesses running, especially in the Miami and Burleigh area.

“Gone are the ways of trying to save money in those kind of places too. People are willing to fork out a little bit more cash for something that’s made in their own back yard.”

The popular Black Hops Brewery is preparing to open a second location in Biggera Waters to keep up with demand for its product.

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Co-founder Dan Norris said it was something his team had always hoped to do.

Luke Kidden from Granddad Jack's Breweries on the Gold Coast. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

“We realised we were going to hit capacity in Burleigh so we started planning, raised some money, did some crowd-funding,” he said.

“We can only fit a certain number of tanks and we’re selling everything we can make there now, so we had to get a new site.

“There are breweries around the world and it’s now starting to appear on the Gold Coast, it’s a different experience than going to the pub. It’s family friendly … just enjoying the beers while watching the brewery in action.”

Guy Scruton, owner of Varsity Lakes brewery Aardvark and Arrow, said many visitors would come solely to tour the breweries.

“In the morning they open up Google Maps and work out a path for themselves (to the breweries),” he said.

“By far and away locals are our lifeblood. We have a key demographic we target but tourists are obviously an important part in getting the word out there as well.

“We came very close to closing the doors in 2012 … since then we’ve just gone power to power, we’re really pleased.”

WHERE TO FIND A DRINK ON THE COAST:

BALTER BREWING CO

WHERE: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin

AARDVARK AND ARROW

WHERE: 4/13 John Duncan Ct, Varsity Lakes

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY

WHERE: 89 Beacon Rd, Tamborine Mountain

O’REILLY’S CANUNGRA VALLEY VINEYARDS

WHERE: 852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra

BEENLEIGH ARTISAN DISTILLERY

WHERE: 142 Distiller Rd, Eagleby

BLACK HOPS BREWERY

WHERE: 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads

GRANDDAD JACKS DISTILLERY

WHERE: 45 Lemana Ln, Miami

LOST PALMS BREWING CO.

WHERE: 11 Oak Ave, Miami

PICKLED PIG BREWERY

WHERE: 2/18 Industry Dr, Tweed Heads South

WITCHES FALLS WINERY

WHERE: 79 Main Western Rd, North Tamborine