Food and drink

Sipping on a glass of tasty wine with friends while admiring a gorgeous outlook is absolute bliss.

And Australia’s abundant wine regions are dotted with vineyards where the vistas are as good as the vino.

So, with our friends at Laithwaite’s Wine People, we’re showcasing 11 irresistible outdoor winery experiences right across the country.

Start dreaming of an escape to one of these alluring cellar doors. 

1. Montalto, Mornington Peninsula, VIC

This winery has absolute star appeal. It begins with a superb, elevated position that delivers fantastic views over vineyards and rolling hills, best enjoyed from a huge deck. A signature of Montalto is its sculpture trail, which takes in dozens of art pieces and includes wetlands. And private picnic spaces enhance its reputation for providing one of Australia’s premier outdoor winery experiences.

Stay at: BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park.

2. Mandoon Estate, Swan Valley, WA

This estate is huge with loads of outdoor space led by Llawn (that’s no typo), a popular family-friendly precinct along the banks of the Swan River. Throw in a brewery, restaurant, an art gallery, and more and it quickly becomes clear why Mandoon is a Swan Valley favourite.

Stay at: BIG4 Perth Midland Tourist Park or Perth Central Caravan Park.

3. Scarpantoni, McLaren Vale, SA

The boutique, family-run vineyard is a great find in one of South Australia’s premier wine regions. Scarpantoni features an undercover terrace and lawned area in a tucked-away location and showcases flavoursome wines that are truly representative of the region.

Laithwaite’s picnic tip: Nab one of the historic fisherman’s caves at nearby Port Willunga Beach, set up your picnic table, and admire a stunning sunset.

Stay at: BIG4 Port Willunga, BIG4 Cape Jervis  BIG4 Mount Compass, BIG4 Normanville Jetty, BIG4 Breeze - Port Elliot or NRMA Victor Harbor Beachfront.

4. Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, Hunter Valley, NSW

This is one of the Hunter Valley’s best wineries, gifting glorious panoramic views from its positioning atop a foothill of the Brokenback Mountain Ranges. The historical vineyard is backed by a charming cellar door and its huge assortment of first-rate wines simply adds to the property’s must-visit status.

Stay at: Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley.

5. Frogmore Creek, Coal River Valley, TAS

Frogmore Creek is a perennial pick for best outdoor winery experiences thanks to its from where you’d rather be setting. A large grassy area overlooks the surrounding valley of this underrated cool-climate region and on a warm, sunny day you’ll likely find it hard to get up and leave.

Laithwaite’s picnic tip: You’ll have to save the wine for later, but Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is prime for a picnic.

Stay at: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park.

6. Flame Hill Vineyard, Montville, QLD

Perched at the top of Montville, this popular Granite Belt winery demonstrates the rich appeal of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Take a glass of the good stuff on to the terrace and admire vibrant valley views that stretch to the sea and encompass other eye candy. And you can throw in a wonderfully relaxing ambience for good measure.

Stay at: BIG4 Maroochy River, BIG4 Caloundra Holiday Park, BIG4 Noosa North Shore, Ingenia Holidays Noosa or Ingenia Holidays Noosa North.

7. Lake Breeze, Langhorne Creek, SA

This winery converted a circa 1930s limestone shed into a delightful cellar door, which offers a commanding outlook over the vineyards. Lake Breeze is revered for its food and wine and a handful of picnic platters are sure to tempt, delivered to a shaded, grassy setting that is backed by gum trees. Yes, please.

Stay at: BIG4 The Bend Holiday Park or BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Port Elliot.

8. Cupitt's Estate, Ulladulla, NSW

With its raised setting and ample stretch of lush grass, this South Coast NSW winery is the perfect place to indulge and soak up spectacular views over Burrill Lake and the Budawang Ranges. The estate has a microbrewery and fromagerie onsite in addition to a cellar door, so there’s plenty to please the palate.

Stay at: BIG4 Ulladulla Beachside or Ingenia Holidays Ulladulla.

9. Michael Unwin Wines, Ballarat, VIC

A 20min drive from the CBD incorporating the city’s famed Avenue of Honour – and less than half that time from BIG4 Ballarat Windmill – leads to a spacious winery inside and out. Its lawned area reveals a pleasant rural outlook and there’s a generous assortment of tasty wines to sample across various labels.

Laithwaite’s picnic tip: Ballarat Botanical Gardens and neighbouring Lake Wendouree are the perfect places to throw down a rug.

Stay at: BIG4 Ballarat Windmill Holiday Park or NRMA Ballarat Holiday Park.

10. Chateau Yaldara, Barossa, SA

Grab a glass of wine, nab a table or patch of grass, and admire a setting backdropped by a striking chateau. The Yaldara experience is enriched by the daily lunchtime tour and tasting alongside a couple of other cellar-door options for the true wine lover. And it features a riverside restaurant, too.

Stay at: BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park.

11. Wills Domain, Margaret River, WA

It’s hard to beat the views from Wills Domain, rated one of the best wineries in Margaret River. Lunching on its alfresco deck is seriously hard to top; the views mixing vineyards and valley in spectacular fashion. Unsurprisingly, the food and wine are just as desirable.

Laithwaite’s tip: Alternatively, Swings & Roundabouts is another excellent regional choice.

Stay at: BIG4 Bunbury Riverside, BIG4 Breeze - Busselton, RAC Busselton Holiday Park, Mandalay Holiday Resort, Tasman - Yallingup Beach and Tasman - Yallingup Caves.

Can’t make it to a winery?

Then picnic with wine anywhere (permissible) with this nifty portable picnic table from Laithwaites. 

It is the perfect picnic accessory with enough room to safely hold four wine glass and a bottle complete with a stable surface to add nibbles.

No dirt, no ants, no hassle. And the legs fold underneath for easy carrying. Check it out here.