About McHenry Distillery
McHenry is a family-run distillery in the hills behind Port Arthur, five minutes past the Historic Site and about 2 km up a forest track off Radnor Road. Founder Bill McHenry left a corporate career in Sydney and the United States for the Tasman Peninsula, and the distillery draws its water from five natural springs on the property. It makes whisky, gin, vodka and beer. Its 10 Year Old French Oak whisky won gold at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, and its Navy Strength and sloe gins have also won awards.
The cellar door and tasting room offer a guided tasting of the spirits, an introduction to how they're made and cellar-door-only releases to buy. The distillery and brewery tour runs at 12pm and 2pm, includes a gin tasting and a souvenir glass, and must be booked ahead. On clear nights, a stargazing experience takes advantage of the peninsula's lack of light pollution.
A fire burns in the tasting room through winter (June to August), and in summer the doors open onto the sunshine. Families are welcome, and so are dogs on leads; ask about the resident dogs Daisy, Sammy and Darcy. There's level access from the car park to the tasting room, free gravel parking with room for campervans and small buses, and two EV chargers. Accommodation is also available on the property.
Port Arthur Lavender is about 10 minutes away on the Arthur Highway, so you can walk the lavender trail and visit the distillery in one afternoon.
What to do
- Book the distillery and brewery tour at 12pm or 2pm, with a gin tasting and souvenir glass
- Taste whisky, gin and vodka in the tasting room
- Buy releases sold only at the cellar door
- Book the stargazing experience under dark Tasman Peninsula skies
- Stay overnight in the distillery's accommodation
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; fireside tastings in winter (June–August)
- Hours
- 2026: cellar door 12pm–4pm (listed as 7 days in one place and weekdays in another; check before visiting); tours 12pm and 2pm
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Leashed
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible, with level access from the car park to the tasting room
Tips for your visit
- Tours must be booked ahead
- The cellar door hours are listed two ways on their website, so confirm whether it opens on weekends before you go
- Parking has room for campervans and small tour buses
- Plan a designated driver; the access road is a forest track
Pair it with a lavender farm
Port Arthur Lavender · about 10 minutes away
Both are just outside Port Arthur, so a lavender walk and a distillery tour fit easily into one afternoon on the peninsula.
Getting there
Questions
Do I need to book a tour at McHenry Distillery?
Yes. Tours run at 12pm and 2pm and must be booked ahead.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome.
Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?
Yes, with level access from the car park to the tasting room.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Port Arthur & the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
