Sip & Savor: A Brewery Trail Through the Southern Gold Coast & Northern Rivers

If you’re a fan of locally brewed craft beer, bold flavours, and sunny afternoons spent with good friends and great drinks, you’re in for a treat. The Southern Gold Coast and Northern Rivers region is home to some of the most exciting breweries (and one incredible distillery) in the country. Whether you’re a fan of barrel-aged IPAs, crisp lagers, or something fruity and fun, there’s a taproom waiting for you.

Here’s our round-up of must-visit spots for your next brewery crawl:

🍺 Precinct Brewing Co. – Burleigh Heads

Tucked away just back from the beach, Precinct Brewing is known for pushing flavour boundaries. Expect bold, barrel-aged creations and a lively atmosphere perfect for a Sunday session. Their rotating taps feature everything from easy-drinkers to serious hop bombs.

Details: 17 Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters

Best for: Industrial Brewery feel perfect for sampling beers and food. Open daily.

Visit: Precinct Brewing Co.

🍺 Balter Brewing Company – Currumbin Waters

Co founded by surfing greats Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson in 2016, Balter is a local icon. Their XPA is a crowd favourite, and their taproom has become a hotspot for locals and tourists alike. You’ll find a laid-back vibe, great food trucks, and rotating seasonal releases worth the visit.

Details: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin Waters

Good for: The Brewery Tour for $30 and a Beer Garden brewski

Visit: Balter Brewing Co.

🍺 Black Hops Brewery – Burleigh Heads

Award-winning and fiercely independent, Black Hops is known for its innovative approach to brewing. From crisp lagers to bold experimental stouts and hazy IPAs, there’s something for every palate. Don’t miss their OG brewery in Burleigh—intimate, industrial, and always pouring something new.

Details: 15 Gardenia Grove, Burleigh Heads

Good for: Independently Brewed Beers, Pet friendly tasting room. No big groups/parties.

Visit: Black Hops Brewing

🍺 Burleigh Brewing Co. – Burleigh Heads

One of the original pioneers of craft brewing on the Coast, Burleigh Brewing delivers time-tested classics and limited-edition drops with a focus on quality and balance. Their Heads of Noosa-style lager and Bighead (a no-carb beer!) are especially popular.

Details: 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

Good for:

Visit: Burleigh Brewing Co.

🍺 Earth Beer Company – Cudgen, NSW

Tucked among the rolling hills near Kingscliff, Earth Beer Co is as scenic as it is refreshing. Their farm-style brewery is all about fresh ingredients, seasonal flavours, and sustainability. It’s the perfect place to kick back, soak up the view, and try something a little different.

Details: 592 Cudgen Rd, Cudgen

Good for: Open on weekends, this Brwery is perfect for an afternoon drive to a farm style brewery surrounded by land.

Visit: Earth Beer Company

🍺 Pickled Pig Brewery – Tweed Heads South, NSW

Small-batch, organic, and bursting with character, Pickled Pig is a hidden gem on the border. They offer a wide selection of beers (plus ciders and even alcoholic ginger beer), with a focus on preservative-free, naturally brewed goodness.

Details: 📍 1/2 Industry Dr, Tweed Heads South

Good for: No preservatives = No hangover right?

Visit: Picked Pig Brewery

🍸 Husk Farm Distillery – Tumbulgum, NSW

Okay, it’s not a brewery, but we couldn’t leave out this local superstar. Home of the iconic Ink Gin, Husk is a must-visit distillery nestled in the Tweed Valley. Their lush grounds, farm-to-bottle ethos, and flavour-packed rums and gins make for an unforgettable experience.

Details: 📍 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum

Good for: A weekend drink, while the kids play lawn games and feed the cows sugar cane.

Visit: Husk Distillery

Whether you’re planning a laid-back weekend or a full-blown brewery tour, this region has plenty to offer. Just remember to drink responsibly, support local, and maybe organise a designated driver (or catch an Uber!).

Happy sipping, and remember – don’t drink and drive, kids!