Introducing new Ballarat distillery Itinerant Spirits

Ballarat’s newest multi-spirit distillery has opened in the city’s historic train station precinct.

Itinerant Spirits is housed within the 160-year-old heritage-listed Ballarat Goods Shed.

Located at 200 Lydiard Street North, its within metres of the Ballarat Train Station and Quest Ballarat Station.

Itinerant Spirits’ world-class distilling operation produces three different spirits – Gallivanter Gin, Vansetter Vodka and Wayfarer Whiskey – using locally-grown grains, botanicals and natural volcanic spring water.

In addition, the 140-seat venue offers an extended curation of spirits, a pizza menu, cheese and charcuterie boards plus sharing plates from neighbouring The Goods Shed restaurants Nolans and Boom Time Dumplings (set to open in November).

The charming bluestone walls and high ceilings of the historic building will also host regular gin and cocktail masterclasses.

With the capacity to produce 1.2 million bottles per year, Itinerant Spirits is decked out with a 3000-litre vodka and whiskey-producing German Kothe still, a 650-litre gin still and a 24,000-litre on-grain brewhouse.

Gallivanter Gin and Vansetter Vodka are both available now, while the Wayfarer Whiskey matures in ex-bourbon barrels awaiting its future release.

The word “itinerant” – meaning to travel from place to place – encapsulates the story of founders Brad Wilson (Little Lon Distilling Co founder and advertising creative) and Craig Ryan (ex-Quest Apartment Hotels chief commercial officer), who have lived and worked across the globe.

Ex-Four Pillars distilling guru James Fairlie joins Brad and Craig as the venue’s head distiller.

Itinerant Spirits is open seven days a week (Monday to Wednesday 4pm-late and Thursday to Sunday 12pm-late).

Main image: Jake Roden