Wandana Brewing Co.

Set on the outskirts of Mullumbimby, a short drive from Byron Bay, Wandana Brewing Co. combines a small-batch brewery with a tap room and beer garden overlooking Mt Chincogan. It is a relaxed hinterland setting for enjoying beer brewed on site, with plenty of space to settle in with friends and take in the view.

The venue is designed to suit more than dedicated beer drinkers. Alongside its craft beers, Wandana offers cocktails, wine, cider, ginger beer and non-alcoholic drinks. A kids’ room stocked with toys makes it a practical choice for families, while the beer garden is dog-friendly. That mix of options also makes it workable for groups with different tastes, or solo visitors wanting to try a local brewery without committing to beer.

Food is available from the permanent Sunset Eats food truck, which serves gourmet burgers and nachos from Thursday to Sunday, including vegan options. The brewery’s entertainment calendar adds to the appeal: Thursday nights feature trivia, while DJs play on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, creating a livelier atmosphere around sunset. For a quieter visit, the tap room and views provide the main draw outside those programmed events.

Wandana’s most distinctive idea is its approach to fermentation. The independently owned brewery says that every beer is fermented with continuous music, using custom-made tanks fitted with speakers. The music is matched to the beer style, with classical music played to its Harmonic Lager and Kiwi dub used for the Mullum Madness Hazy IPA. Whether or not the sound changes the finished beer, it gives the brewery a clear sense of identity and adds an unusual story to a tasting session.

At 20 Manns Road, Wandana is a good option for families, dog owners, casual groups and visitors looking to get beyond Byron Bay for a brewery visit with food, hinterland scenery and scheduled music. Its 4.7 Google rating from 148 reviews also suggests it has made a strong impression with previous visitors.