Scenic Rim Eat Local Month: Citrus, Orchards & the Story Behind Tamborine Mountain Distillery
A Season Defined by Citrus
Winter in the Scenic Rim has a distinct character. The air is crisp, the light is clear, and on Tamborine Mountain, the orchards reach peak abundance. Citrus trees carry heavy fruit, with oranges, lemons, and yuzus at their best.
This is Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, and the focus this year is seasonal fruit at its peak, led by citrus.
For Tamborine Mountain Distillery, citrus is more than seasonal produce. It is where the story began.
The Orchard That Started Everything
Before the distillery existed, there was an orchard.
On Tamborine Mountain, Michael and Alla Ward, the founders of the distillery, were surrounded by trees producing more fruit than could be used. Each season brought abundance, and with it a simple challenge. What happens when the harvest is more than the land can hold?
Rather than let fruit go to waste, it became an opportunity. Citrus was the first to be explored because it was vibrant, plentiful, and full of natural character.
From that orchard surplus came early experimentation, turning excess fruit into liqueurs that captured the season in liquid form. That moment became the foundation of the distillery.
A First Expression of Citrus
From this early abundance came the creation of the first liqueur at Tamborine Mountain Distillery.
Originally known as 'Bells of St Clements', inspired by the traditional English nursery rhyme, the Citrus Brandy Liqueur was created to capture the brightness of citrus at its peak and preserve it beyond the season.
Blending oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, it reflected both the character of the orchard and the hands that shaped it.
Still made today to its original recipe, it remains a defining link between those early experiments and the citrus spirits we continue to create.
Why Citrus Still Matters Today
Tamborine Mountain Distillery continues to evolve under new ownership, led by Head Distiller Gordon Chalmers, building on the foundation established by Michael and Alla Ward.
After relocating in 2019, a new and larger orchard was established on the current property. It now includes over 60 fruit trees, from oranges and lemons to limes, grapefruits, and yuzus, continuing the vision of working closely with seasonal fruit.
This connection to place is reflected in the distillery’s commitment to sustainability. Certified through Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification Program, the focus remains on caring for the environment, supporting the local community, and reducing impact through responsible practices.
This relationship between land, orchard, and community aligns naturally with Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, where seasonal produce and local experiences come together.
Citrus as Our Seasonal Signature
Citrus remains central to everything we do, reflecting both place and season on Tamborine Mountain.
Grown across the Scenic Rim, it reaches peak freshness in winter and naturally suits the creation of aromatic, flavour-driven liqueurs and spirits.
Each variety brings something unique. Lemon adds brightness, lime adds intensity, orange adds depth, and yuzu adds fragrance. Together, they define our seasonal signature.
Eat Local Month: A Celebration of Seasonal Citrus
Throughout Eat Local Month, citrus is showcased through a series of immersive experiences at Tamborine Mountain Distillery.
Visitors can expect:
- Seasonal citrus tastings
- Distillery experiences focused on winter production
- Insights into how fresh fruit becomes a crafted liqueur or spirit
These experiences connect the orchard directly to the glass.
Citrus Workshops and Distillery Experiences
Workshops throughout the month give visitors a closer look at how citrus is transformed into handcrafted liqueurs and spirits.
Citrus Liqueur Crafting Workshop
Create your own citrus liqueur from orchard to bottle in a hands-on session guided by Head Distiller Gordon Chalmers.
Guests will:
- Select, peel, juice and blend fresh citrus from the orchard
- Craft a personalised 375ml liqueur to take home
- Taste award winning citrus liqueurs and learn flavour balancing and botanicals
- Gain behind the scenes insight into the full distillation process
Inclusions:
- Hands on citrus liqueur crafting using fresh orchard fruit
- Tasting of award winning citrus liqueurs
- 375ml bottle of your personalised creation
- Expert guidance throughout the session
► Book Citrus Liqueur Crafting Workshop
Craft Spirit Distilling Workshop
A deeper dive into spirit making, exploring botanicals and technique while creating your own take home bottle.
Guests will:
- Take a guided distillery tour
- Taste a selection of signature spirits
- Operate stills and experiment with botanicals
- Craft a personalised 500ml bottle of rum, gin, brandy, vodka, or schnapps
Inclusions:
- Hands-on crafting of your own 500ml spirit
- Guided tasting of four spirit samples
- Shared grazing board during the session
- Expert guidance from the Head Distiller
These sessions are hands-on and designed to show how fruit becomes flavour.
► Book Craft Spirit Distilling Workshop
Signature Event: Sunset & Citrus Cocktails
One of the highlights of the month is Sunset & Citrus Cocktails on Tamborine Mountain.
Set within the distillery’s rainforest gardens, this evening experience brings together citrus, cocktails, and atmosphere in an intimate after-hours setting.
Guests will:
- Sample a selection of citrus cocktails or mocktails
- Taste award-winning citrus liqueurs
- Enjoy a shared grazing platter featuring local meats, cheese, and seasonal vegetarian options
- Relax with live music surrounded by lush rainforest gardens
Why you will love it: This experience is designed for those who appreciate flavour, setting and atmosphere. It is a relaxed winter evening that combines citrus, music and the natural beauty of Tamborine Mountain.
It brings together orchard, craft, and community in one seasonal moment.
► Secure your place at Sunset & Citrus Cocktails
The Story Behind the Experience
Scenic Rim Eat Local Month is about connection to place.
On Tamborine Mountain, that connection began in the orchard and continues to shape the distillery today. What once felt like surplus became something enduring. A way to capture season, flavour, and memory in every bottle.
Visit Tamborine Mountain This Eat Local Month
This is a season defined by citrus, place, and story.
Come to the orchard.
Experience the citrus.
Discover how it all began and how it continues to grow.
► Plan your visit to Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scenic Rim Eat Local Month?
A month-long celebration of local food, drink, and farm experiences across the Scenic Rim, showcasing seasonal produce and regional makers.
Why is citrus featured this year?
Citrus is at its peak during winter in the Scenic Rim, making it one of the region’s most vibrant and widely grown seasonal ingredients.
What is the connection between the distillery and citrus?
Tamborine Mountain Distillery began in a citrus orchard, where surplus fruit inspired the creation of its first liqueurs.
Who leads the distillery today?
The distillery continues under new ownership, led by Head Distiller Gordon Chalmers, building on the foundation established by Michael and Alla Ward.
Can visitors experience the orchard?
Yes. Selected workshops and events take place in and around the orchard and garden spaces during Eat Local Month.
What is Sunset & Citrus Cocktails?
An after-hours experience featuring citrus cocktails, local food, live music, and a relaxed evening setting in the distillery’s rainforest gardens.
