There’s no better way to experience the Northern Rivers region than through its flavour. From craft breweries to boutique distilleries, this area is brimming with passionate producers who are turning local ingredients into world-class beers and spirits. If you’re staying at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina, you’re perfectly placed to explore the best of them – whether you prefer sipping a crisp lager, a barrel-aged gin or something a little experimental.
Here’s our guide to the must-visit breweries and distilleries across the Northern Rivers.
Seven Mile Brewing Co – Ballina
Located just five minutes from Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina and a short stroll from Ballina Byron Airport, Seven Mile Brewing Co. is a proudly family owned and operated business with a deep focus on local produce and community. What began with three core beers has quickly grown into a diverse and ever-evolving range of seasonal releases that keep things fresh for locals and visitors alike.
Their beers are brewed on-site with passion and precision, drawing inspiration from international styles and local flavours. Expect a rotating selection on tap – from the citrusy West Coast IPA to crowd-pleasers like the Cali Cream and the spicy Wildling Hard Ginger Beer.
The brewery is open Friday to Sunday, 12 pm to 6 pm, with a different local food truck on-site each day. Whether you’re chasing a refreshing lager or something bold and hop-forward, this is one of Ballina’s best spots to enjoy a laid-back afternoon with good beer, good food, and even better company.
sevenmilebrewing.com.au
insta @sevenmilebrewingco
facebook @sevenmilebrewing
Stone & Wood – Byron Bay
Just 30 minutes from Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina, Stone and Wood is one of the Northern Rivers’ most iconic craft breweries. Located in Byron Bay’s Arts and Industry Estate, the Tasting Room sits among 31 brewing tanks and opens onto a leafy beer garden. The food offering is run by local favourites 100 Mile Table, serving a seasonal menu in a relaxed and welcoming space.
While many visitors come for the signature Pacific Ale, there is plenty more to discover. Their full range includes the Crisp Lager, Cloudy Pale Ale, and a rotating lineup of limited releases and experimental brews. The 100 Mile Table kitchen dishes up pulled pork burgers, cheese plates, salads and daily specials, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available.
Stone and Wood also offers 90 minute guided tours for those wanting a deeper look into the brewing process. Each tour includes a welcome drink, an overview of the brewery’s approach and a guided tasting of five beers. It is a great stop for craft beer lovers exploring the Northern Rivers or guests staying at a Ballina hotel.
stoneandwood.com.au
instagram @stoneandwood
facebook @stoneandwoodbrewing
Common People Brewing Co – Bangalow
Located in the picturesque hinterland village of Bangalow, Common People Brewing Co is a welcoming craft brewery with a true community spirit. Set within a working production facility, the taproom offers a relaxed, homey atmosphere with plenty of natural light, greenery, and comfy couches for winter. In warmer months, the purpose built outdoor deck is perfect for long afternoons in the sun.
The beer list features rotating favourites like the Back Beach White Ale and the Villagers Pale Ale, with seasonal and limited releases always on tap. The food is equally inviting, thanks to a wood fired oven serving up pizzas, roasts and share plates to match your drink of choice. It is a great spot for families, groups, and even four legged friends.
Open Thursday to Saturday from 12pm to 9pm and Sundays until 8pm, Common People Brewing is more than just a place for great beer — it is a relaxed, social space that feels like an extension of your living room. A must visit for those exploring the Northern Rivers or staying at a Ballina hotel.
commonpeoplebrewing.com.au
instagram @commonpeoplebrewing
Wandana Brewing Co – Mullumbimby
Located on the edge of Mullumbimby with stunning views of Mount Chincogan, Wandana Brewing Co offers one of the most unique brewery experiences in the Northern Rivers. Each small batch of beer is fermented to music, with every tank fitted with its own speaker playing style-specific playlists — from classical to dub — a quirky touch believed to enhance fermentation and flavour.
The brewery features a relaxed, family friendly taproom and beer garden, complete with a kids’ play area and a dog friendly atmosphere. Beers on tap range from crisp lagers and hazy IPAs to fruited sours, and for those who prefer other options, Wandana also serves cocktails, wines, cider, gluten free beer and non alcoholic drinks. Regular events like trivia on Thursdays and DJ sessions over the weekend make this a vibrant local favourite.
Open from Thursday to Sunday, Wandana also hosts the popular Sunset Eats food truck, serving gourmet burgers and nachos from 12:30pm. Whether you are exploring the hinterland or staying at a Ballina hotel, Wandana Brewing Co is well worth the drive for its great beer, good vibes and mountain views.
wandanabrewingco.com.au
instagram @wandanabrewingco
facebook @wandanabrewco
Byron Bay Spirits Company – Byron Bay
Located in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry precinct, Byron Bay Spirits Company is a boutique distillery producing award winning small batch spirits that reflect the flavours and character of the Northern Rivers. With a focus on quality and community, each product is crafted with care using locally sourced ingredients and traditional distilling methods.
Led by master distiller Luca Bolzoni, the team creates a standout range of liqueurs and spirits including the signature Byron Bees honey gin, made with fresh local honey and carefully selected botanicals. Other favourites include a bright and zesty Limoncello and a rotating selection of seasonal releases that capture the spirit of the region.
The Spirits Lounge is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 2pm and offers a relaxed space to sample the range. Whether you are visiting Byron Bay for the day or heading out from your Ballina hotel, Byron Bay Spirits Company is a refined and welcoming destination for lovers of craft spirits.
byronbayspirits.com
instagram @byronbayspiritscompany
facebook @ByronBaySpiritsCompany
Cape Byron Distillery – McLeods Shoot
Just 15 minutes from Byron Bay and an easy drive from your Ballina hotel, Cape Byron Distillery is set on a family farm surrounded by regenerated subtropical rainforest. Home to Brookies Gin and Cape Byron Whisky, this distillery offers an immersive experience that brings together native botanicals, environmental care and exceptional spirits.
The Brook family began restoring the land in 1988, planting over 40,000 rainforest trees on what was once a rundown dairy farm. Many of the ingredients used in their spirits are sourced directly from this forest, including Davidson plum, native ginger and aniseed myrtle. The popular Rainforest and Gin Tasting Tour takes you through the forest with a gin and tonic in hand, followed by a guided tasting. There is also a Whisky Tour where you can learn about the whisky making process and sample their full range.
Open Thursday to Sunday, the distillery also offers tasting flights and cocktails on the balcony with views of the surrounding rainforest. You can relax with a Brookies gin and tonic or try seasonal cocktails made with their full range of spirits. Cape Byron Distillery is a Northern Rivers favourite and a perfect day trip from any Ballina hotel.
capebyrondistillery.com
instagram @capebyrondistillery
facebook @Capebyrondistillery
Lord Byron Distillery – Byron Bay
Tucked away in Byron Bay’s Arts and Industry precinct, Lord Byron Distillery is a family owned operation creating premium small batch spirits using local ingredients and sustainable practices. Powered entirely by solar energy and committed to zero waste, it is the only distillery in Australia to list every ingredient on its labels and guarantee no artificial colours or flavours.
Visitors can explore the distillery through a guided tour that includes a tasting flight of three spirits from the cellar door range, with expert staff sharing how each drink is made on site. For those looking for something more hands-on, you can take part in a Cocktail Masterclass or even distil your own gin to take home. The experience is relaxed, educational and led by a passionate team who love what they do.
The cellar door is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Whether you are curious about the distilling process, keen to try a locally made spirit, or just looking for a quiet drink and chat with the team, Lord Byron Distillery is a rewarding stop on any visit to Byron Bay or day trip from your Ballina hotel.
lordbyrondistillery.com.au
instagram @lordbyrondistillery
facebook @LordByronDistillery
Husk Distillers – Tumbulgum
Set on a picturesque 150 acre farm in the Tweed Valley, Husk Distillers is home to the world famous Ink Gin and Australia’s only paddock to bottle agricole rum. Surrounded by rolling green hills and views of Wollumbin and the border ranges, Husk offers one of the most scenic and flavourful distillery experiences in the Northern Rivers.
The cellar door is open seven days a week from 11am, offering cocktails, tasting flights and a full lunch menu from the Planters Kitchen. Visitors can relax under umbrellas on the lawn, take in the fresh country air, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon with friends or family. Limited release bottles are available to purchase on site, making it a great place to pick up something special to take home.
Husk also offers a 45 minute guided distillery tour which includes a tasting of seven spirits and an insider look at how their signature gin and rum are made — from sugarcane to bottle. Located just over an hour from Ballina and 40 minutes from Byron Bay, it is the perfect day trip for guests looking to explore the region beyond the coastline.
huskdistillers.com
instagram @huskrum
Behind the Barrel – Brewery & Distillery Tours
Want to experience multiple venues without the hassle of driving? Behind the Barrel offers curated brewery and distillery tours departing from Ballina and Byron Bay. With fixed and custom tour options, you can explore top locations like Stone & Wood, Brookie’s Gin, Seven Mile Brewing Co and more – all in one day.
Each tour includes all tastings, lunch (on full-day tours), and a knowledgeable local guide. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group, Behind the Barrel offers a relaxed and social way to dive into the region’s best drinks. It’s one of the top-rated experiences for guests staying at Northern Rivers hotels, and a fantastic way to connect with local culture through craft.
behindthebarrel.com.au
instagram @behindthebarrelbyronbay
facebook @behindthebarrel
Isola – Riverside Wineshop and Tasting Room, Ballina
If you are short of time or looking, Isola is Located right next door in the Ramada Ballina precinct. Much more than your average wine shop, this beautifully curated riverside tasting room invites you to drop in, take a seat, and enjoy a relaxed journey through handpicked wines from artisanal growers around Australia and beyond. Whether you are looking to purchase a bottle or stay for a guided tasting, Isola makes wine approachable, enjoyable and full of discovery.
The wine list focuses on small batch, sustainably made labels full of personality and craft. You can choose from tasting flights, matched canapés or generous grazing boards, all designed to highlight the character of each pour. With its stylish space and riverside outlook, Isola is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring Ballina or to ease into your evening.
For guests staying at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina, Isola is right on your doorstep — an easy and elegant way to experience the local food and wine scene without even leaving the precinct.
isolawineshop.com
instagram @isolawineshop
Raise a Glass to the Northern Rivers
From relaxed cosatal breweries to award-winning hinterland distilleries, the Northern Rivers region has something for every taste. And with Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina as your base, it’s all just a short trip away. Whether you explore on your own or join a tour with Behind the Barrel, this is one experience you’ll want to sip slowly and savour.
