Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour

The hills behind Noosa are quietly becoming one of Queensland's craft drinks regions, and the Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour is a way to sample it without worrying about the drive. The tour links three kinds of producer in one day: a distillery making spirits such as gin or rum, a winery pouring local and regional wines and a brewery serving beers brewed on site or nearby. Between stops, the van winds through rolling green country, small villages and farmland that look a world away from the beach strip, with views of the Blackall Range and the Glass House Mountains on a clear day. Guides usually introduce the producers, explain how the drinks are made and share some of the region's history, and the group is typically small enough for conversation and questions at each stop.

Tastings are the point, so the day moves at a leisurely pace. Expect samples of a handful of drinks at each venue, with water and often some food available between stops, and check whether lunch is included in the ticket. Drinking is moderate by design, but the combination of sun, travel and alcohol means you should eat well, drink water and pace yourself. Designated non-drinkers can sometimes join at a reduced rate or a different ticket, so ask the operator if your group is mixed.

The tour is for adults, and you will need photo identification to taste alcohol.The appeal of a hinterland tasting tour is the setting. The venues tend to be in converted farm buildings, gardens or sheds with long tables and outdoor seating, and the people pouring are often the people who made the drinks.

That adds a personal touch that you rarely get in a city bar. The region also has a strong local food culture, with cheese, chocolate, fruit, coffee and bakeries, and many guides will recommend favourites or incorporate a food stop. If you find a bottle you love, ask about shipping, because luggage allowances can be tight on the way home.This tour pairs naturally with the Eumundi Markets or a drive through Montville and Maleny, and some travellers book it for a day when the weather is less suited to the beach.

It is also a practical choice for couples or small groups where one person would otherwise have to be the designated driver. For a different flavour, look at the brewery tour with lunch or the private wine and gin tours that cover similar territory with a customised itinerary. Check the pickup points, the duration, the age policy, the dietary options and the cancellation terms when you book, and be ready for a changed route if a venue closes unexpectedly.

Think about food as much as drink. Hinterland lunches can be generous, and a light breakfast plus plenty of water helps you enjoy the tastings rather than feel them.

Ask your guide to choose smaller pours if you want to pace yourself, and keep a bottle of water in your bag, since the cool cellar air and warm sun can combine to make you thirsty.Souvenirs are an easy win on this kind of day: a bottle of gin, a four-pack of local beer or a bottle of wine are all natural keepsakes, and cellar doors usually offer discounts on tasting-day purchases. Keep receipts handy and check airline and customs rules if you plan to fly with alcohol.