How do I choose a cidery in Australia?
To choose a cidery in Australia, begin with the 84 cider makers listed on Cider Radar (as of 2026-10-02) and choose a state: Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania have the most. Then check the label, because a drink sold as cider must be fruit wine made from apples, with no more than 25% pear.
Updated
Key facts
- Live count. Cider Radar lists 84 cider makers in Australia (as of 2026-10-02).
- Legal definition. Under the Food Standards Code, cider is fruit wine from apples, or apples and pears with no more than 25% pear juice or must, and a food sold as cider "must be cider". [1]
- Tax. Wine equalisation tax covers cider and perry, but not all of them; some flavoured ciders are excluded. [2]
Which Australian states make the most cider?
| State | Makers on Cider Radar (as of 2026-10-02) | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 26 | Victoria |
| New South Wales | 16 | New South Wales |
| Western Australia | 14 | Western Australia |
| Tasmania | 12 | Tasmania |
| South Australia | 10 | South Australia |
| Queensland | 5 | Queensland |
These are catalogue counts, not production volumes.
Which cider makers are listed in Australia?
Eight catalogue makers, at least one from each of the six states and alphabetical by state, to show the range; this is not a ranking, and award results are not used.
- New South Wales: Bilpin Cider (Bilpin), Small Acres Cyder (Borenore)
- Queensland: Sunshine Coast Cider (Sunshine Coast)
- South Australia: Lenswood Cider Co. (Lenswood)
- Tasmania: Willie Smith's (Huon Valley)
- Victoria: Henry of Harcourt (Mount Alexander), Napoleone Cider (Yarra Ranges)
- Western Australia: Core Cider (Kalamunda)
What does an Australian cider label tell me?
A drink sold as cider must meet the Food Standards Code definition, so "cider" on the label means apples, with pear limited to 25% of the juice or must. [1] Fruit ciders must still meet that definition to use the word, and a pear-based drink is perry, which "may be named pear cider". [1] For tax, wine equalisation tax applies to many ciders but not to some flavoured ones. [2]
How do I narrow it down?
- Pick a state from the table; the catalogue shows makers in Tasmania and in the hills around Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.
- Apple, pear or fruit. Decide between apple cider, perry and fruit ciders; for pear, see best pear cider.
- Craft or brand. Big brands are in every bottle shop; small makers sell from cellar doors and their own websites. For fresh-juice cider, see the label clues in what real cider is, and for widely sold labels, best cider brands.
- Ratings. Compare how other drinkers rated the ciders on Cider Radar. Across the Tasman, see how to choose a cidery in New Zealand.
Related answers: how to choose a cidery in New Zealand · which countries make cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Australia: 84 makers listed (as of 2026-10-02), with a page for each state.
- Guide: types of cider · Glossary: perry
- You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
Is cider taxed as wine in Australia?
Some is. The Australian Taxation Office lists cider and perry among products subject to wine equalisation tax, "although, WET doesn't apply to all cider and perry"; some flavoured ciders are excluded. [2]
Can pear cider be called cider in Australia?
Pear-based drinks are perry, and "Perry may be named pear cider." [1]
Sources
- Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.3 – Fruit wine, vegetable wine and mead — Federal Register of Legislation (Australian Government)
- Products WET applies to — Australian Taxation Office