October 2022

Hampton High Country Brewers and Distillers Trail

Scenic sights and super sips are what you’ll find on this trail which takes you away north of Toowoomba. You’ll travel through some of the region’s picturesque Hampton High Country to the Bunya Mountains with four fabulous stops.

Wind down those windows, breathe in the deeply refreshing mountain air and listen for bird calls as you wend your way from brewery to distillery to a supercharged whiskey bar.

It starts at Montys Brewing Company on the outskirts of Toowoomba. The only thing better here than the jaw-dropping views over the Lockyer Valley are the brews. So grab a beer or a cider and enjoy some seriously good food.

It doesn’t get any more local than a sixth-generation country homestead. That’s where you’ll find the next stop, Pechey Distilling Co, about half way between Hampton and Crows Nest. They use fruit from 100-year-old trees to make gin, vodka and limited-edition specials such as poitin.

You’ll need some mixers to go with those spirits, so keep it local with a stop at Crows Nest Soft Drinks. Grab some Cherry Cheer or Creaming Soda to show the kids how soft drinks should really taste, or just indulge your inner child.

Get ready for a bit of a climb because your final destination is in the Bunya Mountains. It gets chilly up here, but that’s easily fixed with a roaring fire and a tipple from Shackelton’s Whiskey Bar at the Bunya Mountains Tavern. With more than 180 Australian whiskeys and a growing collection of gins, you’ve got a lot of drinking ahead of you to work through the bar. It’s best to go slow and spend a few nights while enjoying lush rainforest walks and crystal clear creeks during the day. The Bunya Mountains is really a magical place to visit.