Community
10 May, 2023
A taste of the tropics
Long-established tourism operator diversifies into distilling with a local focus
ONE of the Far North’s leading tourism operators is going back to the future.
The CaPTA Group’s Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda is the home of the new Mountain Groves Distillery.
CaPTA sales and marketing director Ben Woodward said the distillery, which would make a significant contribution to the region’s expanding food and wine tourism market, had taken its name from the park’s original moniker when it opened in the late 70s and grew in popularity through the 80s.
In 1974 Charles and Pip Woodward bought Mountain Groves, a local orange orchard and coffee plantation, and Rainforestation Nature Park officially opened as a tourist attraction in 1976 after extensive construction.
“Our region is blessed with beautifully flavoured tropical fruits and spices which are being combined to produce some delicious and unique liqueurs,” Ben Woodward said.
“Initial flavours include passionfruit and pepperberry, mango and chilli, pineapple and cinnamon, and lemon-myrtle-cello, but the intention is to quickly expand the range to over 10 options with some of the region’s unique bush tucker flavours included,” he said.
CaPTA general manager Andrew Hearn said the new cellar door experience would be an addition to Rainforestation’s army duck rainforest tours, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, and its koala and wildlife park.
“At Rainforestation, we have always focused on showcasing the best of the Cairns region,” he said.
“Mountain Groves Distillery will continue that tradition by using the best fresh local fruits and spices to create amazing and unique flavours.”
Mr Hearn said the distillery handcrafted its tropical flavoured liqueurs in small batches, using locally sourced fruits and spices.
He said their Indigenous Pamagirri guides assisted in selecting authentic Australian bush tucker ingredients while local farmers provide the best tropical flavours.
