Fun for the whole family: four Australian wineries to visit

Wineries across Australia are focusing on making their cellar door experiences fun for the whole crew. They are a great family activity to add to the schedule, alongside beach trips, play centre bookings and picnics these summer school holidays. 

To help you start planning, we're introducing four family-friendly wineries below. While you enjoy their stellar wines and delicious food, your kids will be sorted with playgrounds, games, kids menus and enough room to run around and use up their energy. 

Fowles Wine, Strathbogie Ranges

CEO Matt Fowles says: We are a family-owned winery nestled in the rugged and beautiful Strathbogie Ranges in regional Victoria. As a family of farmers, we have a deep connection to the land and a passion for regenerative farming. Our cool-climate wines, including our Ladies who Shoot their Lunch range, reflect the ancient granite stone that forms our region and are crafted to be enjoyed alongside great food.

H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
MF. Our cellar door in Avenel is a welcoming food, wine and farm experience, set amongst beautiful native gardens overlooking the Strathbogie Ranges. Guests can explore our wines through guided tastings, enjoy farm-to-table dining in our restaurant or settle into the Ginger Prince Garden Bar for a drink in the sunshine. It's all about connecting people to the land through great food and wine.

H. How do you make sure everyone feels welcome?
MF. With three young girls of our own, my wife Luise and I know how important it is to have somewhere the whole family can enjoy. There's plenty of room for kids to explore, with a playground, spacious gardens and lawn games in our seasonal Garden Bar. Parents can enjoy a glass of wine or a relaxed meal while the kids play.

H. What is your favourite local spot?
MF. It would have to be Bank Street Wood Fired Pizza, right here in Avenel. It's a fantastic local spot with great wood-fired pizzas, a beautiful garden setting and a really relaxed atmosphere. I love places that celebrate good food, local produce and bringing people together, and Bank Street does exactly that. It's a real gem in our little town.

1175 Lambing Gully Road, Avenel, Vic 3664 | Halliday profile | fowleswine.com

McHenry Hohnen Vintners, Margaret River

Cellar door manager Clarice McDonald says: Here at McHenry Hohnen, we're a family-owned winery in the southern Margaret River region, and what makes us a little different is the way we farm and care for the land. Our biodynamic farming practices are at the heart of everything we do. Our vineyards are part of a much bigger farming operation, with sheep, chickens, bees, olive groves, vegetables and fruit trees all playing their part. It's about working with nature rather than against it, keeping our soils healthy and reducing the need for chemicals.

From the way we farm through to our minimal-intervention approach in the winery, everything we do is about letting the fruit and the vineyard shine through. For me, that's what makes McHenry Hohnen so special.

H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
CM. More than just a cellar door, McHenry Hohnen is home to Vintners Wine Bar & Bistro, where exceptional wines, authentic farm-to-plate dining and relaxed country hospitality come together. Nestled in the charming village of Witchcliffe, surrounded by antique stores and a thriving creative community, guests can drop in for a wine tasting, settle in for a leisurely lunch from our seasonal bistro menu or simply unwind with a glass of wine in the courtyard.

H. How do you make sure everyone feels welcome?
CM. At Vintners, everyone is welcome, including the little ones! Our spacious courtyard and grassy areas provide the perfect setting for families to relax, while the bocce court invites a little friendly competition. On cooler days, you can gather beside the cosy fireplace for a game of chess, cards or Monopoly. Our cellar door is a welcoming destination where the whole family can enjoy quality time together.

H. What is your favourite local spot?
CM. Hamelin Bay is a favourite summer escape, with its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and relaxed, untouched coastal charm. It’s the perfect place for swimming, fishing or simply soaking up the sunshine with a stroll along the beach. A highlight is watching the stingrays glide through the shallows close to shore, a truly memorable Margaret River experience for the whole family.

10412 Bussell Highway, Witchcliffe WA 6286 | Halliday profile | mchenryhohnen.com.au

Swings & Roundabouts, Margaret River

General manager Keith Warrick says: At Swings & Roundabouts, we take our wine seriously, knowing the best part is sharing it. Rooted in the Margaret River region, our wines celebrate the character of the South West, from approachable, easy-drinking blends to award-winning regional releases. Made with care, they're wines for good food, good company and good times around the table.

H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
KW. Set amongst rolling vineyards in Yallingup, our cellar door is all about slowing down and staying a little longer. Think swing chairs beneath the gums, wood-fired pizzas, generous grazing plates and great wine. It's relaxed, welcoming and full of South West charm, where a quick tasting can easily become an afternoon.

H. How do you make sure everyone feels welcome?
KW. We've always believed good food and wine should bring everyone together, little ones included. With wide-open lawns, an adventure playground and a dedicated kids' menu, there's plenty to keep younger visitors happy. Parents can settle in over a long lunch, knowing the whole family is having a good time.

H. What is your favourite local spot?
KW. One of the best things about living and working in Yallingup is having so much natural beauty on our doorstep. Whether it's a morning by the coast or exploring the bushland, there's always somewhere worth visiting.

2807 Caves Road, Yallingup WA 6282 | Halliday profile | swings.com.au

Tahbilk, Nagambie Lakes

CEO Mel Clayton says: Established in 1860, Tahbilk is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries, located in Victoria’s picturesque Nagambie Lakes region. Renowned for its marsanne, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, Tahbilk combines generations of winemaking heritage with a passion for crafting distinctive, award-winning wines from historic vineyards, some dating back to 1860.

H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
MC. Steeped in history, Tahbilk’s cellar door offers a truly unique wine experience, surrounded by historic vineyards and the natural beauty of the Nagambie Lakes region. Discover exceptional wines, explore generations of winemaking heritage and relax on the cellar door deck, overlooking tranquil waterways in a setting unlike any other.

H. How do you make sure everyone feels welcome?
MC. Tahbilk welcomes families of all generations to explore our historic estate, enjoy delicious seasonal dining at our estate restaurant and discover our picturesque wetlands and walking trails. With open spaces for children, wine experiences for adults and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, Tahbilk is perfect for creating lasting family memories together.

H. What is your favourite local spot?
MC. My favourite spots are the Tahbilk cellar door deck and estate restaurant deck, where you can enjoy the very best of our wines, delicious seasonal food and stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape. There’s something truly special about relaxing by the water, surrounded by nature, while enjoying great wine, food and company.

254 O’Neils Road, Tabilk, Vic 3608 | Halliday profile | tahbilk.com.au

Top image credit: McHenry Hohnen Vintners