Regional breweries don't come much cooler than Dunetown. The brainchild of Chris and Gab Moore of Sailors Grave Brewing, this farmhouse-meets-beer hall opened in December 2024 and has quickly become a must-visit destination for visitors to East Gippsland.
Located between Marlo and Cape Conran (yep, it's an excellent spot for a post-surf froff), it takes its name from the sea shanty village that existed in the area until the 1980s. Far from a ramshackle setup though, Dunetown boasts a huge brewery operation – we're talking a pilot malting plant and a 16-tap bar complete with a four-tap Lukr side-pour system imported from the Czech Republic.
But that's not all – there's a huge indoor-outdoor seating area, a fantasic sandy play area for the kids with two boats, gardens, two adorable mini goats and quirky illustrative-style art by Joe Lyward. And there's no chance of going hungry here, either. The Tumba Taco food truck dishes up tasty Mexican fare including corn chips with guac, tacos and burrito bowls – and best of all, the handmade tortillas are formed using 100 per cent locally grown maize.
And to wash it all down, you're going to want to try some of the beer. You'll always be able to get Sailors Grave's core range here, but there will also be an ever-rotating selection of more adventurous and interesting brews – think limited-edition and seasonal drops like a cacao husk and vanilla bean stout or a sea urchin and lemon myrtle gose. Many of the beers have even been inspired by the rugged marine landscape and locally foraged ingredients.
With on-site accommodation (there are two tiny homes and campsites available to book) and the beach just a stone's throw away, Dunetown really does have it all.
For more info, visit the website.
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