Private Tassie Distillery Tour – Tastings, Lunch and Morning Tea

Tasmania’s distilling scene becomes much more interesting when you can step behind the tasting counter. This private Hobart tour takes you to three very different producers, including Hobart Whisky, a working site not open to the general public. You may taste spirit straight from the still, meet the people making it, and blend a whisky of your own.

I like the personal access here. You are not simply handed a flight of drinks and sent on your way. At Spring Bay, Susanne and Cam share their story, while at Killara you meet Kristy Lark and her team. I also like the food, especially the local cheese, biscuits and chocolates at morning tea, followed by an individual catered lunch.

The main drawback is the price: $860.69 per person is a serious outlay. It makes the most sense for a small private group that values direct access, a broad range of tastings and a relaxed day rather than a quick cellar-door visit.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different distilleries: Visit Spring Bay, Hobart Whisky and Killara in one carefully planned day.
• A genuine behind-the-scenes stop: Hobart Whisky is not open to the public, so access depends on this private arrangement.
• Taste more than whisky: Gin, vodka, rum, liqueurs and whisky are included across the venues.
• Make your own blend: You get to combine whisky and create a personal spirit profile.
• Food is built into the day: Morning tea includes award-winning local cheeses, biscuits and chocolates, with catered individual lunches later.
• Best for a private group: Pickup is offered, and only your own party takes part.

Three distilleries, one very full Hobart day

This is a six-hour private outing beginning at 10:00 am. The schedule includes three distillery visits, tastings, morning food and lunch, so you should expect a steady day rather than a slow afternoon with long gaps between stops.

That structure matters. Tasmania has more than 100 distilleries, according to the operator, and the producers on this route give you a useful range of styles. You can compare a small producer in Cambridge, a private whisky operation in an old egg factory, and a newer distillery connected to local distilling heritage.

Because the tour is private, the guide can explain the drinks at a pace that suits your group. If you already know your way around whisky, you can ask more technical questions. If you are new to spirits, you can take your time without feeling rushed or out of place.

Pickup is offered, which is especially useful when tastings include several types of alcohol. Confirm the pickup details when booking, since the supplied information gives a 10:00 am start but does not state every pickup location or transfer time.

Spring Bay Distillery in Cambridge

The first stop is Spring Bay Distillery in Cambridge, not far from Hobart. This is a sensible opening visit because it gets you close to the people behind the product before the day becomes more tasting-focused.

Owners Susanne and Cam introduce the operation and explain their story. The stop lasts about an hour, with admission included. You can expect tastings and a look at the distilling process, with the chance to ask questions directly rather than relying on a standard recorded presentation.

The food element begins around this part of the experience. Morning tea includes award-winning local cheeses, biscuits and chocolates. That is more than a pleasant extra. Cheese and biscuits give you something substantial alongside the alcohol, while chocolate can help round out a tasting of sweeter liqueurs and darker spirits.

The limitation is time. An hour is enough for a clear introduction and tasting, but not enough for a long technical tour of every stage of production. If Spring Bay is the stop you most want to study, tell the guide early so you can use the available time well.

Hobart Whisky’s private old egg factory

The longest visit is at Hobart Whisky, with about two hours set aside. This is the most unusual part of the day because the site is not open to the public. You meet distillers John, Ben or Trevor in person, depending on who is available, and hear how the old egg factory has been repurposed for whisky production.

That setting gives the visit a strong sense of place. You are not walking into a polished shop built only for tastings. You are seeing a working site with a past life, and the people involved can explain how the building now supports their whisky making.

One of the tour’s special tastings is new make spirit. This is whisky before maturation has changed it in the barrel. It will not taste like finished whisky, and that contrast is the point. You get a direct sense of the raw spirit before time, wood and ageing shape its colour and flavour.

You also get to blend your own whisky. This is a hands-on activity, but it is not a promise that you will produce a commercial bottle. Think of it as a practical lesson in balance and preference. You can make a blend that reflects the kind of whisky you enjoy, then leave with a better idea of how different components affect the final drink.

Two hours gives this stop room to breathe. You can ask questions, compare samples and spend time with the distillers. For many people, this will be the most valuable portion of the tour because access is restricted outside arrangements like this.

You should also keep expectations realistic. The information provided does not specify exactly how much whisky you can blend or whether the blend is bottled for you. Ask before booking if taking home your own blend is important.

Killara Distillery and the lavender gin welcome

The final listed stop is Killara Distillery, a newer name in Tasmania’s distilling scene. The visit lasts about an hour, and you meet owner Kristy Lark and her distilling team.

Kristy has a local distilling background, which adds useful context to the stop. You are not just tasting another gin from another bar. You can hear how her work fits into Tasmania’s wider craft spirit culture and how a newer operation is finding its own direction.

You are greeted with a lavender gin or another suitable sample. The details allow for some variation, so the exact welcome drink may depend on what is being served on the day. Across the tour, the included tastings cover gin, whisky, vodka, rum and liqueurs. That range makes the day useful for mixed groups where one person loves whisky and another prefers gin or sweeter drinks.

The one-hour format keeps the day moving, though it also means this is another introduction rather than a long production visit. I would treat Killara as a chance to meet the team, taste a distinctive local product and compare its approach with the other two stops.

What you eat during the six hours

Food is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Morning tea includes cheese, biscuits and chocolates, with the cheese described as award winning and local. Later, lunch is catered and served in individual portions.

Lunch takes place in a rustic distillery loft. That setting fits the tone of the day better than a formal restaurant would. You remain connected to the working distillery atmosphere while taking a proper break between tastings.

The supplied details do not list the lunch menu or dietary options. If you have allergies, follow a special diet or need a larger meal, ask the provider before booking. The wording confirms catered individual servings, but it does not promise a particular menu.

The alcohol and food pairing also helps make the price easier to assess. You are not paying only for three short samples. The fee includes a private guide, access to distillers, a broad selection of drinks, morning food, lunch and the whisky blending activity. Even so, the total remains high, so the value depends on how much you care about personal access and specialist conversation.

Is $860.69 per person good value?

At $860.69 per person, this is not a casual tasting tour. It is priced as a private, specialist day with access that ordinary visitors may not receive.

I can see the value for a group celebrating a milestone, a whisky enthusiast, or people who want to understand Tasmania’s distilling industry in one compact outing. A private group also avoids being mixed with strangers, and the guide can focus on your interests. Group discounts may improve the cost for larger bookings, though the exact discount is not stated.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want to sample local spirits at the lowest possible cost. Tasmania has other tasting options, and the tour fee would buy a great deal of alcohol elsewhere. You are paying for the arrangement, transport option, introductions, meals and access to Hobart Whisky, not just for the liquid in the glass.

I would compare the price with the size of your group before booking. For one or two people, it is a major splurge. For a private party sharing a special day, it may feel more reasonable, particularly if everyone is interested in both whisky and other spirits.

Who will enjoy this private tour most?

This experience suits people who want conversation, not just consumption. You will get the most from it if you enjoy asking how spirits are made, comparing styles and meeting owners or distillers face to face.

It is also a good match for mixed-interest groups. One person can focus on whisky while another explores gin, vodka, rum or liqueurs. The food helps keep the day comfortable, and the private setting makes it easier to handle different levels of spirit knowledge.

You should think twice if you dislike alcohol tastings, want a full sightseeing day around Hobart, or prefer to choose every stop yourself. The tour is tightly focused on distilling and includes several scheduled visits. It is not designed as a general tour of Tasmania.

The information says most people can participate, service animals are allowed and the stops are near public transportation. Those points are useful, but they do not provide detailed accessibility information for every building. Ask the operator about specific mobility needs before booking.

Practical details before you book

The advertised start time is 10:00 am, and the full experience lasts about six hours. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm where and when your pickup will occur.

Only your group participates, which is one of the main reasons to choose this option. A private format can make a big difference at a distillery, where questions and conversation are often more rewarding than a fixed script.

Mobile tickets are available, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Bottle purchases are not included, so allow extra money if you want to buy spirits directly from a producer.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Tasmanian distillery day?

Book it if you want private access, serious tastings and direct contact with makers. The visit to Hobart Whisky, the chance to sample new make spirit and the personal whisky blend make this more than a standard bar crawl.

I would especially recommend it for a small group with a strong interest in spirits and enough budget to treat the day as a specialist experience. The cheeses, lunch and private transport option add comfort, while the three distilleries give you a useful spread of products and personalities.

Skip it if your main goal is cheap tasting or broad Hobart sightseeing. At $860.69 per person, the cost demands genuine interest. For the right group, though, this is a focused way to understand the people, places and methods behind Tasmanian whisky, gin, vodka, rum and liqueurs.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm the available pickup details when booking.

Which distilleries are included?

The tour visits Spring Bay Distillery in Cambridge, Hobart Whisky and Killara Distillery.

What drinks are included?

Included tastings cover gin, whisky, vodka, rum and liqueurs at the venues.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Morning tea includes cheese, biscuits and chocolates, and lunch is catered in individual servings.

Can I buy bottles during the tour?

Bottle purchases are not included in the tour price. You will need to pay separately for any bottles bought at a distillery.