Gin lovers there’s a new reason to head south this summer, and it comes with botanicals, breathtaking views and a splash of adventure.
Spirit of the Coorong has launched its 2025/2026 Gin Flight Cruise schedule, a 90-minute experience that’s capture the spirit of locals and visitors alike.
General Manager Joel Hirsch says the idea began with a beautiful old boat and a vision to create something truly unique.
“We’ve got this beautiful little historic wooden boat that was largely underutilised,” he says.
“It only seats 12 people, so it’s quite intimate and bespoke. I wanted to build a food and wine experience, but in a different way, and that’s how the Gin Flight Cruise was born.”
The vessel, a 127-year-old fantail launch named M.V. Maranui, has been meticulously restored to its original condition.
“It used to be a passenger boat over in the Gippsland Lakes,” Joel explains.
“It took about six or seven years of constant negotiation before we brought it back to South Australia, and now it’s one of the oldest boats in Goolwa.”
As for why gin became the hero of the experience, Joel says it all came down to flavour and connection to place.
“When Kangaroo Island Spirits came onto the scene using bush food botanicals, we were already talking about those same native plants on our Coorong cruises,” he says.
“We came across Heaps Good Spirits, who use a lot of the same botanicals in their gins, so it all just fit hand in hand.”
Guests can taste the very ingredients growing along the shoreline.
“Where we pull up, you can pick a sprig from the plants that are directly inside the gins,” Joel says.
“It’s got that real local feel to everything that’s going on.”
His personal favourite?
“It’s probably the classic gin,” he says.
“It’s got native rosemary, and it just has this beautiful floral bouquet. It works really nicely.”
The cruise itself is a sensory experience from start to finish.
“Being on a boat down in the Coorong and Goolwa, it’s Storm Boy country,” Joel says.
“It just invokes this spiritual aspect to everything we do. The place feels remote, but it’s so accessible. You feel like you’re a million miles away without travelling far.”
Along the way, guests are treated to the natural beauty of the region, with pelicans, swans and long-necked bird species gliding across the water. Seals can often be seen lounging around the Goolwa Barrage, adding to the charm of the journey.
Each ticket includes a guided gin flight with three tastings, and there’s an option to upgrade to a date package for two, which includes a bento cheese box and a take-home bottle of gin.
“You’ve got a skipper, a crew, cocktails on board, and some really beautiful South Australian produce.”
The Gin Flight Cruise runs from October through to April, departing from Coorong Quays Marina at Hindmarsh Island.
With native botanicals, artisan gin, and the timeless beauty of the Coorong, this intimate cruise feels like the perfect South Australian summer experience.
Spirit of the Coorong – Gin Flight Cruise
When: Coorong Quays Marina, Hindmarsh Island
When: Saturday Arvo Cruise 2:30pm (weekly October 2025 – April 2026)
Cost: $85pp for the cruise, or $245 for the date package for two
For more information, click here.
More News
