Chinchilla’s Clover Hill microbrewery tourist experience gets the green light

One of Chinchilla’s favourite tourist spots has expanded and will soon serve ice-cold beverages with the region’s first microbrewery tourist experience getting the green light. Here’s everything you need to know:

Chinchilla will soon be home to the region’s first microbrewery tourist experience following after a proposed expansion of a popular tourist park in the area was approved.

Clover Hill Accommodation and Camping will expand its Braithwaite Street facility to include a microbrewery, offering the opportunity for thirsty visitors and locals alike to taste and buy products on site.

Owners and beef producers Steven and Ursula Keating have been working closely with an existing Sunshine Coast brewery to seal the deal.

Mr Keating said they’d discussed new ideas to promote their homegrown beef alongside the already popular smoked Wagyu Fridays and farm tours.

“(Wagyu Friday’s) became more and more popular week by week, so we decided that we would look at expanding further,” Mr Keating said.

“The brewery we’re working with on the Sunshine Coast is also expanding, so it’s just a really good fit.”

The Keating family are looking to open the new microbrewery at next years Chinchilla Melon Festival. Photo/Clover Hill

The family of six are looking to open the microbrewery at next year's annual Chinchilla Melon Festival.

Mr Keating said the project is still in its very early stages and he’ll be able to reveal more to the community once the agreement has been finalised.

“I think it’ll be great for the town and great for the region,” he said.

“I’ll be more than just beer and more than just meat. We also like to show people what it's like to be a farmer and raise cattle, and that it’s a really great experience living out in the bush and living locally.”

Councillor Andrew Smith said the development would be delivered in three stages, starting with the construction of a microbrewery, undercover entertainment area, internal roadway and parking.

“Stage two will involve the delivery of a tourist tasting facility and stage three will involve the construction of 10 cabins to expand accommodation options on site,” he said.

Councillor Kylie Bourne said it was exciting to see new tourist ventures setting up in the region.

“Council proactively advances the Western Downs as a tourist destination so we are delighted to see plans for a microbrewery and expansion of tourist accommodation in Chinchilla, which will also involve the sale of local meat products on site,” Cr Bourne said.

“We haven't seen this type of development in the region before, and it’s encouraging to see local businesses considering new ways to enhance visitor experiences locally.

“The development will also support local jobs in the region, which is a bonus for business and our economy.”

Originally published as Chinchilla’s Clover Hill microbrewery tourist experience gets the green light