From boutique beginnings, Queensland’s distilling industry is aging nicely

Across the state, distillers are combining premium spirits, destination-led experiences, scientific innovation and strong brand storytelling to compete on the global stage. 

David Ridden, Founder of Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery and President of the Australian Distillers Association, says Queensland has reached a new level of maturity. 

“Queensland has gone from a small handful of operators to a genuinely serious distilled drinks state,” Ridden says. 

“The quality has lifted dramatically, the professionalism has lifted and the ambition has lifted.” 

Based on the Gold Coast, Granddad Jack’s exemplifies this shift. Rather than focusing solely on production volume, the distillery has built a vertically integrated business model that includes distilling, direct sales, hospitality and tourism through its distillery and bar experiences.

 “You don’t win by producing more liquid,” Ridden says. 

“You win by building demand and controlling your route to market.”

In the Scenic Rim, Tamborine Mountain Distillery embodies both the heritage and tourism foundations of Queensland’s spirits sector. Established in 1993 as Queensland’s first licensed craft distillery, the family-owned business has become one of Southeast Queensland’s most visited distilleries. 

"‘Evolved’ is better described as ‘exploded’,” says Gordon Murray. 
“There are now more than 100 licensed distilleries in Queensland, with the vast majority established in the past ten years.” 

Further north, the Whitsundays offer a very different yet equally compelling expression of Queensland's spirit. At 74 Islands Distillery in Airlie Beach, place and lifestyle are central to the brand’s identity. 

“The Whitsundays are not just a backdrop; they are central to our story,” says founder Glenn Hitch. “There is a genuine coastal identity in everything we make - authentic, refined and internationally relevant.” 

“Our efforts at CIIE in Shanghai connected us with an amazing established distributor in China who has taken the exclusive distribution rights of Lūla Rum with our first shipment leaving in late January 2026”. 

“The initiatives and support that both TIQ and Austrade provide certainly assist in providing the opportunities and platforms to present to the world and Lūla cannot speak any higher of their work and assistance,” Stowers added. 

Science-led innovation underpins Diviner’s Distillery, which operates between Brisbane and the Granite Belt. Using cold distillation techniques that extract flavour at significantly lower temperatures, the distillery combines technical precision with creative distilling. 

“Diviner’s is proudly Queensland-made. By working across Brisbane and the Granite Belt, and collaborating with local producers, we’re able to combine scientific precision with regional character to create something genuinely distinctive,” says co-founder Michael Tomlinson. 

Across the sector, export readiness has been supported by collaboration, industry advocacy and government-backed trade initiatives. Trade and Investment Queensland continue to support distillers through trade missions, export capability programmes and global platforms, including the delivery of the Queensland Government’s Gold Partnership at Expo 2025 Osaka. 

In 2024-25, Queensland exports of distilled spirits was valued at almost $1.3 million, double the value ten years ago ($611,000 in 2014-15).

As Queensland’s distilled drinks industry continues to mature, its competitive edge is increasingly clear: premium spirits grounded in place, powered by innovation and supported by compelling stories that resonate in global markets.

If your business is ready to unlock global markets, you can learn more about your future export success through TIQ. 

Whether you are an experienced exporter looking to expand your global footprint or a new exporter starting your journey, TIQ can help you scale your business internationally.