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Escape to Australia’s Hidden Vines with Airbnb

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Key Takeaways

  • Vineyard getaways are proving popular for family and friends throughout autumn with Airbnb data revealing group bookings for three or more people, saw a year-on-year increase of almost 30 percent in 2024
  • Research shows 88 percent of Aussies are open to branching out from major wine regions to uncork something new
  • 44 percent of Millennials and 42 percent of Gen Z consider high quality wine a key factor when visiting wine regions compared with Gen X and Baby Boomers who are less discerning
  • Travellers from Asia are falling in love with Aussie wine regions with guests from China surging by 82 percent and visitors from India more than doubling in the last year
Murrumbateman Aerial

Key Takeaways

  • Vineyard getaways are proving popular for family and friends throughout autumn with Airbnb data revealing group bookings for three or more people, saw a year-on-year increase of almost 30 percent in 2024
  • Research shows 88 percent of Aussies are open to branching out from major wine regions to uncork something new
  • 44 percent of Millennials and 42 percent of Gen Z consider high quality wine a key factor when visiting wine regions compared with Gen X and Baby Boomers who are less discerning
  • Travellers from Asia are falling in love with Aussie wine regions with guests from China surging by 82 percent and visitors from India more than doubling in the last year

Just in time for Easter, Airbnb’s Hidden Vines is the ultimate grape escape guide as new data reveals travellers are keen to branch out and uncover lesser-known regions and rediscover old favourites.

Research conducted by YouGov1 revealed 88 percent of Aussies want to explore new wine regions, with half eager to pack their bags and explore these hidden gems this year.

The research also revealed Aussies’ changing attitudes towards these wine regions – it’s not just about the wine – with 29 percent wanting to dive into an area’s rich local history and culture, while 26 percent want to hit up local food and wine festivals or events.

The top five places international visitors are coming from to explore our wine regions over autumn are:

  • Singapore
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • New Zealand
  • China

Asia is starting to emerge as the biggest driver of overseas visitors to our wine regions as the weather cools with a more than 82 percent increase in Chinese visitors.2 There has also been a 55 percent increase in nights booked by guests from India and 40 percent increase from Japanese travellers.3  

Wine expert and Airbnb Hidden Vines contributor, Mike Bennie
Wine expert and Airbnb Hidden Vines contributor, Mike Bennie

To point wannabe wine buffs in the right direction ahead of the Easter break, Airbnb has partnered with renowned wine expert Mike Bennie to unveil its Hidden Vines guide, spotlighting 12 must-visit regions paired with listings across Australia. Packed with undiscovered vineyards and insider tips, the guide is a toast to the next wine adventure.

Airbnb’s Hidden Vines includes wineries located in: 

  • Southern Highlands, New South Wales
  • Canberra District, New South Wales
  • South Gippsland, Victoria
  • Macedon Ranges, Victoria 
  • Granite Belt, Queensland
  • Coonawarra, South Australia
  • Riverland, South Australia
  • Mount Gambier, South Australia
  • Great Southern Region, Western Australia 
  • Southern Forests (Manjimup and Pemberton), Western Australia
  • Swan Valley, Western Australia
  • East Coast, Tasmania

The regions in Airbnb’s Hidden Vines guide, many within driving distance of a major city or town, have largely gone unnoticed making them the perfect destination for the 40 percent of Aussies who are eager to discover unique experiences.

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said, “Our wine regions have so much to offer for families and friends alike.

“It’s fantastic to see that nearly 90 percent of Aussies are keen to explore our beautiful, lesser-known wine regions providing a much-needed boost to local economies with research revealing guests, on average, are willing to spend almost $700 per person on their weekend getaway.

“Now is a great time to list your home on Airbnb ahead of the Easter long weekend and school holidays so visitors can soak up everything a town has to offer, especially local wine and produce.”

Susan Wheeldon Country Manager Airbnb Australia and New Zealand
Susan Wheeldon Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand

Wine expert and Airbnb Hidden Vines contributor, Mike Bennie, said, “Some of the wine regions chosen have been in the spotlight and perhaps fallen off the radar, while others highlight an insider’s knowledge of exciting places that come with a sense of discovery and grassroots connection to wine producers of a boutique nature. 

“The regions chosen come with stunning vistas, great eating and drinking opportunities and additional places of interest outside of the wonderful cellar doors and winemakers.

“The collection showcases winemakers keenly invested in their regional staple grape varieties while also having points of difference, with quality as paramount.”

Margy Osmond, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) said, “Aussies love getting off the beaten track, and making new discoveries. This guide from Airbnb is a fantastic initiative to promote smaller regions, while also giving travellers a new wine experience that won’t break the bank.

“These places will no doubt benefit from an increase in visitors who will stay for the Easter long weekend or school holidays.”

Bellwether Wines. Credit: Tourism Australia, South Australian Tourism Commission
Bellwether Wines. Credit: Tourism Australia, South Australian Tourism Commission

Lee McLean, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Grape and Wine said, “Australia’s wine regions are special places and initiatives like this will help more people uncover the true essence of Australian wine country. Whether it’s a small family-run winery or a unique tasting experience, there’s something special waiting to be discovered.

“We want more people to get out there and explore the unique cellar doors, family-run vineyards and wineries so they can experience the incredible diversity of our wine regions and regional communities throughout Australia.”

More information on Airbnb’s Hidden Vines and tools to help you plan your visit and where to stay can be found here.

Research

  • 48 percent of Aussies are likely to consider visiting a lesser-known wine region in Australia over the next 12 months
  • Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than older Aussies to consider visiting a lesser-known wine region over the next 12 months (60 percent and 62 percent respectively, compared to Gen X: 40 percent, Baby Boomers: 31 percent)
  • It is all about quality when it comes to wine for younger generations with 44 percent of Millennials and 42 percent of Gen Z placing a critical importance on visiting regions with high quality wine compared to 29 percent for Gen X and 26 percent for Baby Boomers
  • Budgets are top of mind when it comes to planning a visit to a wine region with Aussies most commonly citing a cost-effective experience (49 percent), local scenic beauty (43 percent) and availability of quality accommodation (42 percent) as must-haves when visiting a lesser-known wine region
  • On average, Aussies would be willing to spend up to $676 per person, including accommodation, on a weekend getaway to a wine region
  • Younger generations, on average, are willing to spend more per person, including accommodation, when visiting our wine regions than older generations
    • Millennials – $811 
    • Gen Z – $764
    • Gen X – $631
    • Baby Boomers – $532  
  • 70 percent of Aussies say having access to more quality accommodation would make them more likely to attend events or festivals in a wine region
  • South Australia was voted as the state or territory producing Australia’s best wine (38 percent), well ahead of Victoria (13 percent), New South Wales (12 percent), Western Australia (11 percent), Tasmania (5 percent), Queensland (4 percent), Australian Capital Territory (2 percent), or Northern Territory (1 percent). One in seven (14 percent) were unsure
  • 17 percent of Aussies also think South Australia boasts the best ‘under-the-radar’ wine regions, although this is only marginally ahead of Tasmania (15 percent), Western Australia (13 percent), New South Wales (12 percent), or Victoria (12 percent)

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. The total sample size was 1024 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29 January and 2 February 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighed and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).

Hidden Vines Stays

New South Wales 

Southern Highlands – Just a short drive outside Sydney, the Southern Highlands is perfect for a swift weekend getaway. 

Wineries:

  • Joadja Estate – The Southern Highlands oldest winery, established in 1983, has an idyllic cellar door setting. Joadja Estate focuses on classic grape varieties and premium wines, produced in an artisan fashion. 
  • Artemis Wines – An upmarket, family-owned and operated winery with lush, alfresco cellar door tastings in summer and cosy fire-side wines in winter. A broad range of grape varieties and styles welcome visitors. 
  • Dawning Day Farms – The charming, somewhat chic cellar door is an invitation to explore both Southern Highlands wines and those produced from grapes sourced from further afield. A highlight for any visit is the riesling, gamay, chardonnay and the skin fermented wines, alongside pickles made from the estate’s market garden and produced in house. 

Attractions

Listings: 

Canberra District – A charming region with rich history and rolling hillsides, perfect for foodies who enjoy quality eateries.

Wineries: 

  • Ravensworth – An appointment only location, winemaker (and chef, farmer, livestock raiser and food author) Bryan Martin is one of the region’s true highlights. The organic farm and rammed earth winery are spectacular, so to the authentic premium wines.
  • Helm Wines – No visit to Canberra District is complete without a visit to Ken Helm’s original cellar door. A charming place with decades of wine awards, it is home to some of Australia’s greatest rieslings.
  • Clonakilla – Legendary for its incredibly high quality wines alongside its state-of-the-art cellar door. The famed shiraz viognier gets all the attention, but riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir also make significant landfall.

Attractions:

Listings: 

Victoria

South Gippsland – Branching around the coastline, South Gippsland offers a beachy escape from Melbourne city.

Wineries: 

  • The Wine Farm – Open by appointment and ‘the occasional Sunday once a month or so’, The Wine Farm is a relative newcomer,  with a focus on sustainability that still produces wines that are elevated.
  • Bass River Winery – Pinot noir and chardonnay are at the apex of Bass River Winery’s collection, but don’t miss the joy of gamay or the single vineyard Field Blend white that stretches the range into even more compelling territory. A family-owned and operated winery that delivers great DNA of South Gippsland’s winemaking prowess.
  • Bandicoot Run Wines – A husband and wife duo producing some of South Gippsland’s more original and distinct wines (appointment only). They farm their land organically and with biodiversity in mind, producing character-filled, charismatic wines with minimal intervention and no additives. 

Attractions

Listings: 

Macedon Ranges – Known for its expansive forests and farmers markets, Macedon is perfect for a calming, nature-filled, foodie weekend. 

Wineries:

  • Dilworth & Allain – Appointments are recommended at this boutique wine producer at the forefront of central Victorian wines. Elegance, balance and finesse are calling cards, with the wines underpinned by organic and sustainable farming practices.
  • Cobaw Ridge – One of the original wineries and cellar doors of the Macedon Ranges, with a big focus on biodynamic farming. Their chardonnay is often included in ‘best in Australia’ lists while the cellar door is artistic, authentic and downright charming.

Attractions:

Listings: 

Queensland

Granite Belt – Easily accessible from Brisbane, the scenery and subtropical climate of the Granite Belt makes it the ideal holiday spot for outdoor lovers. 

Wineries: 

  • Ravenscroft – A boutique producer with a compelling wine offering and an intimate cellar door experience overlooking the vines. Sample classic wines or explore lesser known varieties like nero d’Avola, sagrantino, vermentino and fiano. 
  • Boireann – A stalwart of Granite Belt’s wine community, Boireann has a focus on bold statement red wines. The charming cellar door reveals nebbiolo, sangiovese and tannat alongside staples of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. 
  • Robert Channon Wines – Robert Channon is known as ‘the king of verdelho’ producing arguably some of the finest examples in Australia of this variety. While that may be a bullseye for some, the range is wildly diverse, fine tuned with elegant expressions of chardonnay, shiraz and blends. 

Attractions

  • Uncover granite boulders, caves and panoramic views at Donnelly’s Castle
  • Try all things truffle flavoured at rustic truffle farm, The Folly

Listings: 

South Australia 

Coonawarra – Famous for its world renowned red wine, the bustling region is ideal for a romantic trip south. 

Wineries:

  • Bellwether – Come for the soulful, brilliant winemaker Sue Bell, stay for the compelling regional take on wine alongside the historic shearing shed, diverse pop-up dining and cultural events.
  • Raidis Estate – A younger generation, family owned-and-operated wine producer that marries the classics of the region with a contemporary interpretation that pushes the boundaries in all the right ways. A charming, intimate cellar door experience. 
  • Bowen Estate – A stalwart producer, Bowen Estate’s focus is on classic cabernet wines, though shiraz and chardonnay also deserve attention for their richer, elegant expressions. A traditional cellar door makes for easy tasting experiences. 

Attractions:

Listings: 

Riverland – Known for its natural wonders and variety of outdoor activities, this region is perfect for family getaways.

Wineries:

  • 919 Wines – A family affair, 919 Wines does a broad range of wines and styles. It’s the fortified wines that often and rightly have the larger share of the spotlight, including the outstanding and uniquely Australian fortified wines.
  • Ricca Terra Farms – Founder, Ashley Ratcliff, has a knack for revitalising older vineyards, alongside supporting climate-appropriate Mediterranean varieties. The Ricca Terra Wine Room has been on hiatus but reopens in April – a focal point for the town of Renmark and the broader Riverland wine region. 
  • Whistling Kite Wines – This biodynamic producer of fine wines supports two tasting opportunities. Your classic tasting, and another pairing wines with locally sourced produce. There’s delight in exploring familiar varieties of chardonnay and shiraz coupled with lesser-known varieties like gros manseng and mencia.

Attractions:

Listings: 

Mount Gambier – Mount Gambier draws in culture lovers for an inspiring weekend with its vibrant arts scene and picturesque views. 

Wineries: 

  • Good Intentions Wine Co – While visiting the vineyards or winery is more an appointment only scenario, Good Intentions Wine Co has opened a cellar door-cum-bar in an old butcher’s shop in Moorak, a short walk from the spectacular Blue Lake. The wines are charming, pure, idiosyncratic at times, and individual expressions of Mount Gambier. The winemaking couple behind the wines are utterly charming hosts. 
  • Limus Wine – An appointment-only producer, this is a brilliant experience for a grassroots connection to the very clever and forward thinking winemaker and (organic) grape grower Kyatt Dixon. The wines are expressive, somewhat left of centre but offer purity, vibrancy and authenticity in spades. 
  • Herbert Vineyard – The small scale vineyard supports an array of grape varieties, making for an intriguing and value-packed tasting. Herbert Vineyard also offers tastings direct from the barrel to taste the progress of current wines.

Attractions:

Listings: 

Western Australia

Great Southern Region – One of the most varied areas of Australia, the region boasts fresh farmland produce, stunning coastal views and ancient mountain ranges, perfect for the traveller who thrives on exploration.

Wineries: 

  • Oranje Tractor Wines – A visit to this vineyard is a multi-faceted experience where learning about organic, regenerative farming is underpinned not only by A-grade wines, but a closed-loop orchard (of varied fruits), vintage clothing hire and eco weddings! The cellar door is made from recycled materials, and eco-sensibilities are embedded in all aspects of the farm.
  • Paul Nelson Wines – Paul Nelson Wines are synonymous with ultra quality. Tastings by an appointment, in which an exploration of Great Southern is detailed through the lens of Paul Nelson’s stellar wine range. The tasting offers range from regional selections through to vineyard focused masterclasses. 
  • Frankland Estate – One of the original family-owned and operated wineries and vineyards of the Great Southern wine region, with a commitment to organic farming, some of Australia’s finest riesling wines, an array of left of centre varieties and stalwart expressions of shiraz and cabernet. This is one of the most genuine and rich-historied cellar doors, and a truly beautiful experience, at all levels. 

Attractions

Listings: 

Southern Forests – The ideal off-grid escape, the Southern Forests region has a vibrant agricultural heritage that attracts nature lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

Wineries: 

  • Peos Estate – Peos Estate honours family tradition in winemaking and farming, releasing a large number of wines each year as a worthy exploration of regional wines and styles. The family’s back-drop of Macedonian heritage is also of interest for those seeking more depth and information regarding cultural ties to the region and heritage of farming in Southern Forests. The cellar door is by appointment only.
  • Truffle Hill Wines – You could rationalise that Truffle Hill Wines is more about truffles, but the wine credentials are equally compelling. A kind of one stop gourmet immersion where an array of amazing products sit alongside each other, in a very friendly tasting environment. 
  • Pemberley – Two-for-one tasting where the benchmark, super premium wines of Picardy can be tasted alongside the boutique and boundary pushing wines of Hidden River Estate. Picardy is synonymous with some of the region’s finest wines and a pioneer WA winemaking family (the Pannell family).

Attractions

Listings: 

Swan Valley – Immerse yourself in the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine region, known for its gourmet treats and artisanal delights. 

Wineries: 

  • Harris Organic – A longer term organic certified producer from  the Swan Valley, there’s an array of outstanding, regional focused wines, though it’s often the magnificent and rich fortified wines that draw in most wine lovers.
  • Talijancich Wines – A wide array of wines are available at the homely and extremely informative cellar door. Regional staples of white varieties, verdelho and chenin blanc, excel here, especially their cellar release versions that show the full flex of both varieties.
  • Nikola Estate – A modern wine producer delivering a dizzying array of wines, from regional hero grape varieties of shiraz, chenin blanc, verdelho, through to wines sourced from a net cast wider to Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions. Don’t miss some of the more expressive, experimental (yet high quality) wines.

Attractions:

Listings: 

Tasmania

East Coast – Tasmania’s East Coast is hailed for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and charming seaside towns, drawing in families and couples alike. 

Wineries: 

  • Spring Vale Vineyards – One of the original vineyards and wine producers of the East Coast, and steadfast in their adherence to boutique, high quality wine releases. The heritage listed, 1840s stable that houses the cellar door is a beacon for authenticity and a beautiful place to taste the wares of Spring Vale.
  • Devil’s Corner – One of the most modern and impressive wine tasting facilities in Tasmania, perched in a scenic location amongst the vines with the cellar door serviced by staff knowledgeable in their wines. It’s a glamour stop on the East Coast and likewise sought after for its winery food offering. 
  • Freycinet Vineyard – The cellar door is a destination for those seeking fine wine iterations of Tasmania’s great wine assets of chardonnay, pinot noir and riesling. Don’t miss the very special, rare-to-fine vintage sparkling wines too. 

Attractions:

Listings: 
Read more about: airbnb australia, Community, Hidden vines, wine tourism

1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. The total sample size was 1024 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29 January and 2 February 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighed and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).
2. Internal Airbnb booking data for vineyard category March-May 2023 and March-May 2024.
3. Internal Airbnb booking data for vineyard category March-May 2023 and March-May 2024.

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