The short answer
- For the most tastings, take the Behind the Barrel day: two breweries, two distilleries, lunch and pickup. See the tasting day →
- For a ride plus one distillery and a long lunch, take the Better By Bike e-bike and Husk day. See the e-bike day →
- Both are for adults only. See the limits →
The tasting day: Behind the Barrel
Behind the Barrel Byron Bay runs a six-hour day to two breweries and two distilleries, with pickup and drop-off so nobody drives. The listing puts the total at about 15 to 20 tastings, all included, with guided tastings from the brewers and distillers, lunch at one of the breweries and a drive through the coast and hinterland.
It names the venues as examples rather than a fixed list: breweries such as Stone and Wood, Common People Brewing, Wandana Brewing and Seven Mile Brewery, and the Lord Byron or Cape Byron distillery. Not a beer drinker? The listing says you can swap to cider, wine or ginger beer, depending on the venue, though it does not recommend the tour for people who do not like alcohol.
Brewery and distillery day tour with lunch
Bring photo ID (18 and over only), and check which venues are on your date.
See itinerary and dates on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)The e-bike and distillery day: Better By Bike
Better By Bike’s seven-hour day starts with a van transfer to Murwillumbah, then a two-hour self-guided ride on a premium e-bike through hinterland, rainforest and a rail tunnel of about 520 metres to Burringbar. Helmets, lights, a gel seat, waterproof panniers and a trail map are supplied.
At Husk Farm Distillery you get a welcome drink, a seven-spirit guided tasting and a behind-the-scenes tour, then a three-course lunch (entrée, main and dessert) at the Planter’s Kitchen, with views of Mount Wollumbin. Extra drinks are not included. Transfers come from Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Tweed Coast accommodation within about 15 km.
Rail-trail e-bike ride, Husk Distillery tasting and lunch
Adults only. Check you are within the transfer area and comfortable on a bike.
See itinerary and dates on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)The ride passes through the tunnel used by the evening glow-worm tour.
The two days side by side
| Consider | Tasting day | E-bike and Husk |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6 hours | 7 hours |
| Venues | 2 breweries, 2 distilleries | Husk Farm Distillery |
| Tastings | About 15 to 20 | Welcome drink and 7 spirits |
| Lunch | At a brewery | Three courses at the distillery |
| Activity | Driving between venues | Two-hour self-guided e-bike ride |
| Pickup | Included | From accommodation within about 15 km |
Who can go
Both tours are adults only. Behind the Barrel requires participants to be over 18 and to bring a passport or ID card. Better By Bike excludes under-18s and anyone who cannot ride a bike, and the ride comes before the tasting. Both include transport, so there is no need for a designated driver.
Drink at your own pace and drink water between tastings. If you are unsure how much you will have, the e-bike day has fewer tastings.
Food and drink on the water instead
For drinks with a view rather than a tasting room, the M.V. Jasmine runs adults-only cruises on the Brunswick River. The long-lunch cruise on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab) serves an eight-course set menu with optional paired drinks, and the sunset cruise on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab) opens with prosecco and a cheese board. The three Jasmine cruises compared.
Questions people ask
Do I need to like beer?
On the tasting day you can often swap to cider, wine or ginger beer, but the listing does not recommend it if you do not like alcohol. The e-bike day is spirits.
Is the tasting day good for a group celebration?
It includes pickup, lunch and all tastings, which makes it simple for groups of adults. See ideas for couples for smaller occasions.
What if it rains?
The tasting day is spent at venues and in the vehicle; the e-bike day rides outdoors for two hours. See rainy-day ideas.
Before you book: the brewery tour checklist
- Is everyone over 18, with photo ID?
- Tasting widely, or a ride and one distillery?
- Is your accommodation inside the pickup area?
- Any dietary needs for lunch?
- For the e-bike day, is everyone comfortable on a bike?
Your shortlist
Open a listing in a new tab and check its itinerary, suitability and inclusions against the checklist above.
- Four venues, about 15 to 20 tastings: Behind the Barrel day tour on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- E-bike ride and distillery lunch: Better By Bike and Husk Distillery on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)
- Long lunch on the river: M.V. Jasmine long-lunch cruise on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)