Ann Houlihan’s Great Ocean Road Gin has been capturing the essence of the coastal region since 2018, using local native ingredients such as coast daisy, kelp, pigface and saltbush. At its Torquay distillery and cellar door bar (not far from its original Aireys Inlet location) customers can get a taste of where the award-winning gin is made.
Enter through a steel roller door to find the industrial-looking space with room for 60 people. It’s the kind of place where slow Saturday afternoons lead into evenings with DJs spinning tunes and live music performances.
Behind a metal planter, crates, miscellaneous equipment and a 300-litre copper still (endearingly named Joanie) – offer a glimpse of the inner workings of the distillery. Exposed metal beams, concrete floors, crisp white walls, festoon lights and timber accents dotted throughout complete the relaxed, industrial atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy tasting flights and cheeky G&Ts, sampling the house’s full range of gins. Mini Negroni and Martini tasters are also available alongside signature cocktails – all featuring gin, of course. And for those after local beers, wines and soft drinks, the distillery’s bright green bar has that covered as well.
The tight snack menu includes the likes of gozleme, bao buns and simple yet satisfying dips and breads.
