Ballarat and the Goldfields are a goldmine of breweries, distilleries, and vineyards. With its luscious landscapes and renowned local produce, this region knows a thing of two about producing deliciousness. From artisan gins to organic wines and award-winning beers in steampunk surrounds, head to Ballarat and ever so slightly beyond, to discover your new favourite drop.

1. Aunty Jacks

With its eclectic interior of repurposed metal and wood, Aunty Jacks is a craft beer lover's dream. They’ve won Australian International Beer Awards for their beers, which are brewed onsite, making them one of the best breweries in Ballarat. Try a tasting paddle to discover your favourite. You can deep dive into their beer education and brewing events, too.

2. Red Duck Brewery and Distillery

Small batch gin? Traditionally crafted beers? You can have it all at Red Duck Brewery and Distillery. This independent operation has been in business for almost 20 years now. They're passionate about creating beers and gins that utilise the best in local ingredients, while keeping the process as pure and simple as possible. You can taste it.

3. Cubby Haus Brewery and Bar

Cubby Haus craft small batch beers in their onsite brewery, and you can get up close to them on a brewery tour. The Cubby Haus Bar is a family-friendly hangout where you can enjoy a couple of beers  along with pizzas and light meals. There's free pinball and records spinning for that retro vibe.

4. Mitchell Harris Wine Bar

Mitchell Harris Wine Bar has been winemaking since 2008, creating elegant drops that reflect the surrounding cool-climate wine regions. Their 150-year-old former produce store is now a showcase for their wines and other local gourmet delights. Head to Mitchell Harris for a full wine bar and dining experience right in the heart of Ballarat.

5. Kilderkin Distillery

If you love artisan gins, drop in to Kilderkin Distillery. This distillery produce high quality spirits in small batches, which you can try on a gin tasting, starting with their signature Larrikin gin. They vapour infuse their artisan gins with a range of botanicals, as this method ensures a super smooth and well-balanced spirit that is perfect to enjoy neat (or pair with whatever you like).

6. Captains Creek Organic Wines

Captains Creek, at the foot of Kangaroo Hills, is a four-generation family business, with the May family having run the farm since 1909. Come here for lush pinot noirs, bright chardonnays and quenching ciders, best enjoyed on the verandah overlooking the vines in summer, or by the open fire in winter.

7. Michael Unwin Wines

Michael Unwin Wines is a family-owned winery, where the wines are processed and bottled on-site from locally grown grapes. Visit the cellar door for a tasting amidst the wine barrels or bring a bottle and 'fill your own' with your favourite cellar door wine. Getting to pat the winery's resident dogs is a bonus, too.

8. Hop Temple

Hop Temple is enthusiastic about good beer, wine and food in a casual, friendly environment. There are more than 220 craft beer and ciders to choose from – the biggest range in the state – at this relaxed pub set within a converted stable. To get there, just follow the canopy of umbrellas down Hop Lane.

9. Eastern Peake Vineyard

Eastern Peake Vineyard produces award-winning, minimal intervention wines from a scenic property that overlooks the Creswick Valley to the east and the dramatic Eastern Peake to the west. The tasting room is a magnificent glass cube, so you can take in the whole landscape as you sip its fruits.