Attention, attention. *clinks glass*. Vino lovers, welcome. We know you’ve been looking for the best places to score a drop, so we’ve gone and done the hard work for you.
Many sips and nibbles later, we’ve identified the top ten wineries on the Gold Coast and surrounds. From the rainforests of Mount Tamborine to the fields of Beaudesert, these are the estates and vineyards that deserve a place in your weekend schedule. Get ready to drink up.
Witches Falls Winery
79 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
Image Credit: Witches Falls Winery | Supplied
You expect three things when you visit a winery: great vino, great service, and a great atmosphere. Witches Falls Winery delivers on every count. Hugging the western edge of Mount Tamborine, this gorgeous estate has been a Mountain staple since it opened in 2003—and we’re pleased to report that it just keeps getting better.
Granite Belt-sourced grapes and a great selection of wines mean booking a tasting session is a must. (And, yes, there are plenty of alternatives if wine isn’t your thing, including Eighth Day cider and locally distilled gin.) Our pick: the wild ferment lambrusco, which is made using the natural yeasts found on grape skins. Complement your beverages with nibbles like vegan cheese and gluten-free salami.
P.S. The winery gets its name from Witches Falls, a nearby waterfall tucked away among thickets of ferns and towering fig trees. Go for a walk after your tasting session to help all that cheese and wine settle.
Drive Time: 46 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A wander down Witches Falls Walking Track
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard
852 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra QLD 4275
Image Credit: O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyard | Instagram
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard is the kind of vineyard that feels distinctly Australian. Think broad rows of vines encircling a historic Queensland homestead, flanked by Canungra Creek and low hills. It’s the kind of picture-perfect setting that practically screams ‘picnic’.
And the selection of picnic baskets—including vegan and gluten-free options—means you can make that a reality. Grab one, order a flight of wine (or a bottle of signature Shiraz), and set up under one of the property’s many trees. Wet weather? Head to the Killwen Cafe, housed in that very picturesque Queenslander, for caffeine and chow. If you’re in the mood for live music, visit between 11am and 2pm on a Sunday.
Drive Time: 47 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: An alpaca cuddle at the on-site Mountview Alpaca Farm
Cedar Creek Estate
104 Hartley Road, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
Cedar Creek Estate is famous, even among non-drinkers, for one simple reason: glow worms. No, we didn’t mistype ‘Grenache’ or ‘Gamay’. We’re talking about actual, native glow worms, which, courtesy of a purpose-built cave, flock to Cedar Creek in their thousands. You can see them as part of a guided tour (which is even better after lunch and a few glasses).
Speaking of food and wine… the on-site cafe serves up elegantly plated classics that work well at any time of day, including a baked camembert that’s slightly addictive. Pair a round of tapas with a six-glass tasting session and a cheese platter for a very moreish experience. Walk-ins are welcome, so, if your weekend schedule clears up, heading up to Mount Tamborine isn’t a bad way to fill it.
Drive Time: 48 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A meander down Gallery Walk
Mason Winery
32 Hartley Road, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
We’ll say it: if you’re a wine connoisseur, you should probably think about relocating to Tamborine Mountain. With four wineries located on the mountain itself (and many more within a short drive), you’ll be dangerously close to some very good vintages, including Mason Wines.
This small but decidedly attractive estate exudes alpine vibes, with a cabin-esque cellar door overlooking a tranquil sprawl of trees and grass. (Special mention goes out to the truly monstrous fig tree. It’s almost worth a visit on its own.) You can pop in for a standalone tasting, but we’d recommend pairing it with lunch—you’ll get your samples comped, and the house-made gnocchi is *chef’s kiss*. Take home a bottle of Petit Verdot for something a little different.
Drive Time: 47 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A light paperback from Under the Greenwood Tree
Sarabah Estate Vineyard
46 Rymera Rd, Sarabah QLD 4275
Why do alpacas and wine go so well together? We’re not 100% sure, but two of the Gold Coast’s top wineries feature fluffy entertainers—and you won’t hear any complaints from us. Located just a stone’s throw from Lamington National Park, Sarabah Estate Vineyard delivers the holy trinity of cute animals, great food, and even better wine in a delightfully rural setting.
Pair a tasting session with a cheese and charcuterie board, settle in for some wood-fired pizza, or devour a steak at the on-site restaurant. Yes, you should be guided by the Sarabah team’s recommendations—but definitely ask about sampling the tawny port (it’s good enough that you’ll probably buy a bottle). Also, don’t let the beverage quality distract you from the fact that the vineyard is home to a miniature horse called Harriette.
Drive Time: 52 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A morning of walks at Binna Burra
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Mount Nathan Winery
220 Clagiraba Road, Mount Nathan QLD 4211
If you like your wines classy and your interiors rustic, Mount Nathan Winery should be on your weekend hit list. The vibe here is definitely cellar door (emphasis on ‘cellar’)—picture wooden panelling, brick walls, and an old-timey indoor bar with plenty of personality.
Book a tasting session to spend 90 minutes being guided through seven different wines. We loved the Ridgeway Red blend, but the winery’s lineup of fortified wines is absolutely worth trying too (especially with a cheeseboard). Each session also features touring the on-site beehives and being introduced to the resident alpacas and sheep. Seriously—wine, honey, and very friendly fluffballs? That’s our sort of adventure.
Drive Time: 27 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A sunset picnic at Syd Duncan Park
Sirromet Winery
850–938 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton QLD 4165
Image Credit: Sirromet Winery | Instagram
OK, so Sirromet Winery isn’t technically on the Gold Coast (or even in the Scenic Rim), but, hey, when you’re writing about an icon, the normal rules don’t apply. Sourcing many of its grapes from the Granite Belt, this sprawling estate is one of Queensland’s best-known cellars, and for good reason: its four wine brands are all excellent.
Of course, you don’t just visit a winery for the vino. You come for the experience, and Sirromet absolutely delivers. Want casually refined dining inspired by Southern Italy? Head out to the Tuscan Terrace. Prefer something a little more relaxed? Snag a picnic hamper, order a mixed wine flight, and decamp onto the surrounding lawns (and, yes, it’s even better at sunset). Keep an eye out for one of Sirromet’s seasonal offers—like this summer’s platter board and paired bottle, served on rustic benches among the vines.
Drive Time: 55 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair with: An overnight stay in Sirromet's tented 'tree house' pavilions
Hampton Estate Wines
52 Bartle Road, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
Love that classic, carefully sculpted winery atmosphere where the grounds are manicured and the service is impeccable? Hampton Estate Wines is probably your cup of tea (glass of wine?). The centrepiece is the historic Hampton House, a majestic blue-and-white building that previously served as a church in Burleigh Heads. Today, it houses both the on-site restaurant and a gallery featuring art from local talent.
Like some of the other Gold Coast wineries on this list, the estate’s signature range is made with Granite Belt grapes. Our serving recommendation: a light lunch with a classic white, then a wine tasting, followed by a cheese and sunset picnic at the nearby Rotary Lookout. (Just make sure you book—Hampton Estate is a very popular wedding destination.)
Drive Time: 44 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: Sunset nibbles at the Rotary Lookout
Albert River Wines
869 Mundoolun Connection Road, Tamborine QLD 4270
If Hampton Estate feels decidedly bougie, Albert River Wines is the opposite—in the best possible way. This sprawling rural estate sits on top of a low hill, with sweeping westward views of farms and fields. When you visit the restaurant and cellar door, you’ll wine and dine in the Auchenflower House, a huge timber building that was home to three Queensland premiers.
Expect a modern Australian menu with Mediterranean and Japanese influences (including multiple gluten-free and vegan options). Of course, you’ve probably come for a good drop as much as the food, and Albert River doesn’t disappoint. Sample a strong range of red, white, rose and fortified vintages with antipasti and cheese platters (the Poinciana Red is highly drinkable).
P.S. The estate is lovely at any time of year, but it’s especially stunning over the cooler months. Check your socials for the once-a-month Friday night dinners—they’re the perfect opportunity to enjoy live music and a glorious Scenic Rim sunset.
Drive Time: 50 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: A day trip to Canungra
The Overflow Estate 1895
1660 Beaudesert Boonah Road, Wyaralong QLD 4285
The Overflow Estate 1895 is located halfway between Beaudesert and Boonah, but don’t worry—it’s worth the drive. Overlooking Teviot Brook / Ickkaybin, it blends waterfront views with a sleek, modern aesthetic that matches the quality of the vintages. A tasting session features eight different wines, including summery Italian and Spanish grapes like Vermentino.
The Overflow Estate is also home to Roastbeef and the Frog, a British–French fine dining establishment run by Chefs Jake Hatch (Roastbeef) and Olivier Boudon (the Frog). The result: a pared-back menu that combines comfort staples like slow-cooked beef cheeks with more exotic options like snails in wild mushroom arancini. Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, the Overflow Estate is very much worth a visit. (And bring plenty of pats for Nero, the winery Labrador.)
Drive Time: 1 hour 22 minutes from Surfers Paradise
Pair With: Nothing—between lunch and a tasting session, you’ll have a full day
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Main image credit: Witches Falls Winery | Supplied
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