How Bundaberg’s Award-Winning Kalki Moon is Changing the Distillery Game in Queensland

More than just a tasting room, Bundaberg’s Kalki Moon distillery offers an immersive experience, from complimentary distillery tours showcasing the art of premium Australian spirits to hands-on gin and rum blending classes. But the real surprise? A state-of-the-art golf simulator, inviting guests to play world-famous courses like St. Andrews or Pebble Beach while sipping a Queensland-made craft gin.

Why you’ll love visiting Kalki Moon in Bundaberg

✅ More Than a Tasting Room – Sip, blend, and even play a round of golf at this Bundaberg distillery.

✅ Free Tours & Hands-On Fun – Get behind the scenes with complimentary distillery tours and gin & rum blending classes.

✅ Cocktails & a Golf Simulator? – Play Pebble Beach on a state-of-the-art TrackMan while sipping a Queensland craft spirit.

✅ A Queensland-Only Bar – The Lunar Lounge serves only Queensland-made beer, wine, and spirits—no big brands here!

✅ Smart, Sustainable Growth – With new experiences & strategic innovation, Kalki Moon is thriving in a crowded market.

Kalki Moon Distilling IMAGE Tourism and Events Queensland

Getting There

Located in the heart of Queensland’s coastal region, Bundaberg is a regional town renowned for its rich history, pristine beaches, and iconic local produce. Just a four-hour drive north of Brisbane or accessible via direct flights, it’s an easy destination for a weekend escape or a longer stay. Visitors flock to Bundaberg for its famous rum distilleries, such as Bundaberg Rum and Kalki Moon, as well as its stunning access to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The town also boasts a vibrant local produce scene, thanks to its agricultural roots, with farm-to-table experiences and Queensland craft spirits taking centre stage. Whether you’re a fan of artisan distilleries, nature exploration, or simply a laid-back coastal vibe, Bundaberg has something for everyone.

Surviving the Spirits Boom: Kalki Moon’s Smart Strategy for Success

Rick Prosser, founder, owner, and master distiller of Kalki Moon Distillery, has had a storied career in the Australian distillery industry. Starting at Bundaberg Rum in 2000, Rick was part of the team that created the acclaimed Master Distillers Collection, earning the prestigious title of Master Distiller. However, after a successful career with the iconic brand, he chose to forge his own path.

“In 2013, I had the option to renew a consulting contract or go out on my own,” says Rick. “I always wanted to be my own boss, so I dragged my wife, kicking and screaming, into the alcohol industry, and we set up our family-owned distillery.”

Kalki Moon Distillery opened its doors in March 2017 with a focus on gin and vodka, but its heart was always set on craft rum Australia. “Being in Queensland’s craft spirits heartland, I saw an opportunity for small-batch rum,” Rick explains. However, with Australian laws requiring a minimum two-year maturation period for premium Australian rum, gin and vodka became the initial flagships of the brand.

Since then, Kalki Moon has grown organically, tripling its footprint from a modest 220 square metres to over 1,500 square metres. But with the industry evolving rapidly, Rick has had to innovate to stay ahead.

A Distillery Experience Like No Other

Visitors to Kalki Moon Distillery can expect more than just a tasting; they are invited to immerse themselves in an interactive and educational experience. The distillery offers complimentary distillery tours at noon daily, where guests can witness firsthand the craftsmanship behind Kalki Moon’s premium Australian spirits.

“Our tours are designed to be engaging, informative, and most importantly, accessible,” says Rick. “We wanted to ensure that every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation for the distillation process.”

From the moment guests step into the Bundaberg distillery, they are welcomed into a space that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. The tour takes visitors through the distillery’s operations, showcasing everything from fermentation and aging barrels to the impressive copper stills named after Rick’s grandmothers, Mari and Mary.

For those looking to take their experience up a notch, Kalki Moon offers gin and rum blending classes in the newly established Lunar Lounge, where guests can create their own unique spirits under expert guidance.

A Crowded Market and Rising Costs

When Kalki Moon Distillery was founded, it was among just 60 Australian distilleries. Fast-forward to today, and the number has soared past 800. The surge in Queensland artisan liquor production, compounded by Australia’s excise tax—the third highest in the world—has created an intensely competitive market.

“A lot of distilleries have launched on gin and vodka Australia,” Rick says. “But excise tax in Australia has made it difficult for medium-sized distilleries like ours. We’re paying tax straight away, whereas some small-batch spirits producers stay under the excise rebate threshold by producing just enough to avoid it.”

In addition to battling taxation, Rick sees another challenge in the industry: Australians don’t drink enough locally distilled spirits. “Only about 2-3 percent of spirits consumed in Australia are Australian-made spirits,” he notes. “The rest is multinational imports—Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Johnny Walker. So, 800 distilleries are competing for just a tiny piece of the pie.”

With these realities, Rick knew that diversification was the key to survival.

Thinking Outside the Bottle: New Revenue Streams

Rather than solely relying on rum and gin production, Kalki Moon has introduced multiple initiatives to broaden its revenue base.

A Tasting Bar and Café

In June 2023, Kalki Moon launched a tasting bar and café offering coffee, pre-packaged food, and cakes. “We wanted to create an additional income stream that wouldn’t attract excise tax in Australia,” Rick explains. “So, we introduced a café element. Now, customers can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere without necessarily consuming alcohol.”

Events and Private Functions

The distillery in Bundaberg also hosts cocktail nights and Sunday sessions with food trucks. “We’re still evolving as a business,” says Rick. “We don’t do it every weekend, but we’re testing the waters to see what works for the Bundaberg tourism distillery tours market. It’s all about balancing staffing and demand.”

The Lunar Lounge: A Unique Artisan Bar

One of the boldest expansions has been The Lunar Lounge, an artisan bar launched in early 2025. “We converted our old pre-mix can storage space into a high-end Queensland craft spirits bar featuring only Queensland-made beer, wine, and spirits,” Rick says. “It’s a first-of-its-kind in the state.”

A Golf Simulator to Attract Locals

Perhaps the most unexpected addition is a high-tech golf simulator. “The locals don’t typically visit the distillery in Bundaberg, just like Bundaberg locals don’t often visit Bundy Rum,” Rick says. “We needed something to draw them in.”

Kalki Moon became the first distillery in Australia—possibly the world—to feature TrackMan, a state-of-the-art golf simulation system used by PGA professionals. “It’s not just about golf,” Rick clarifies. “It’s an experience. People can play a round at St. Andrews or Pebble Beach while enjoying a Queensland-made craft gin.”

Pricing is structured to be accessible, with one-hour sessions starting at $35 per person. “It’s a way to generate revenue without triggering excise tax,” Rick adds.

Inside Kalki Moon: How a Small Distillery is Thriving in a Crowded Market

With ongoing challenges in the Australian distillery industry, Rick remains focused on sustainable growth. Kalki Moon Distillery recently reintroduced complimentary distillery tours to encourage Bundaberg tourism.

Additionally, low-excise spirits like liqueurs have become a strategic focus. “Our new caramel liqueur is a prime example,” Rick shares. “At 20 percent alcohol, it attracts less excise tax than a full-strength craft rum Australia, but it still offers a premium sipping experience.”

For Rick, the future of Kalki Moon is about adaptability. “Releasing new products isn’t the answer—we just pay more excise tax. Instead, we’re creating new experiences and income streams. It’s about thinking outside the bottle.”

And for those looking for an unforgettable night out? “If you’ve ever wanted to play a round at Pebble Beach while sipping a Queensland-made craft gin, Kalki Moon is the place to be.”

Disclaimer: Kerry Heaney visited Kalki Moon as a guest of Visit Bundaberg