2027 AUSTRALIAN HARVEST TOUR
G'DAY
Join HPA, Australia’s largest hop grower, for harvest in March 2027. We’ve put together a sensational itinerary, including tours of our hop farms and state-of-the-art pellet plant, freedom to roam our world-class breeding gardens, a half day Hops Academy with BarthHaas’ Senior Brewmaster Lorenz Schareina, and plenty of time with HPA’s team of hop experts.
But it’s not just about hops. We’ll celebrate our Victorian growing region along the way with trips to several standout breweries and wineries as well as a local wildlife sanctuary, bowls club, and High Country Fresh Hop Festival.
Flights are not included, so you’ll need to arrange and cover these independently. Most other costs are covered by a single package fee of €1,800. A detailed list of inclusions is available in the terms and conditions. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your seat early to avoid missing out.
We’ve also put together some advice on what to pack and how to prepare. Contact details for the organisers from HPA and BarthHaas can be accessed here – don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
ITINERARY
Please note, the itinerary below is tentative and may be adjusted at the organiser’s discretion. We’ll do our best to keep you updated every step of the way.
Day 1: Sunday 14 March – MELBOURNE
Evening: Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Monday 15 March – WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Morning – Healesville Sanctuary
Afternoon – Lunch at Watts River Brewing
Evening – Hoppy Hour at Bright Brewery
Day 3: Tuesday 16 March – FARM TOURS
Morning – Tour Buffalo River Valley
Afternoon – Tour Rostrevor Hop Gardens
Evening – Barefoot Bowls & BBQ
Day 4: Wednesday 17 March – HOP CENTRAL TOUR
Morning – Tour Hop Central
Afternoon – Hops Academy
Evening – St Patrick’s Day at Bright Brewery
Day 5: Thursday 18 March – HARVEST DINNER
Morning – High Country Leisure Activity
Evening – Harvest Dinner at Bright Brewery
Day 6: Friday 19 March – HIGH COUNTRY HOP TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM
Morning/Afternoon – High Country Hop Technical Symposium (optional)
Evening – High Country Hop Kick-off Party
Day 7: Saturday 20 March – HIGH COUNTRY HOP FESTIVAL
Morning – Free time to explore
Afternoon/Evening – High Country Hop Festival
Day 8: Sunday 21 March – HOME
Morning – Coach departs for Melbourne Airport
Afternoon – Lunch at Fowles Wines
Evening – Fly home (or continue your journey)
Please note:
Please note, this is a tentative itinerary and may be subject to change. If you have any questions or would like further advice on your travels down under, simply email Lisa.Ethe@hops.com.au.
We look forward to welcoming you in March!
REGISTRATION
The package fee has been carefully calculated to ensure you have the best possible experience. A payment of €1,800 is required to secure your place.
Registrations close on 20 November 2026 and provided the minimum number of participants has been reached, you will receive an invoice from BarthHaas between 23–27 November. Payment is due within 14 days of receiving this invoice. Please note that your registration is only confirmed once your invoice has been received and paid in full.
A detailed list of inclusions is available in the terms and conditions.
International flights are not included, so you’ll need to arrange and cover these independently. Please arrive in Melbourne, Australia no later than 2pm on Sunday 14 March and depart Melbourne, Australia no earlier than 6pm on Sunday 21 March.
Guest
WHAT TO PACK
Hop harvest kicks off at the beginning of March. The average temperature ranges from a minimum of 13°C to a maximum of 35°C, with around 9 days of rain totalling just 50mm. But Victoria is known for surprising unsuspecting brewers with four seasons in one day, so come prepared for anything by packing everything from a raincoat to a pair of budgie smugglers. You’ll also need a pair of sturdy closed-toed shoes if you’re visiting the farm. These will need to be thoroughly cleaned before entering the country and again before entering the farm. This process involves minor chemical and physical abrasion, so pack accordingly. Better yet, buy a pair of iconic Blundstone boots on entry.
HOW TO PREPARE
Remember to sort yourself out with the necessary paperwork prior to entry. The process is relatively quick and painless. Simply visit the Australian Department of Immigration website and follow the prompts. The maximum luggage allowance on domestic Australian flights is 23kg. But if you want to bring us a carton of beer to say thanks for the hospitality, you can purchase additional baggage in advance. Check your chosen airline’s website for more information on fees. While you’re at it, check your mobile’s international roaming allowance to avoid being hit with a big bill. And if you’re picking up a hire car, remember we drive on the left. This means you’ll want to look right, left, and right again before pulling into traffic, or crossing the road on foot for that matter. And buy travel insurance. The alternative isn’t worth the risk.
CONTACT
Concierge
Lisa Ethe | Events & Partnerships Manager, HPA
Lisa has a knack for making things happen. Whether you want advice on what to pack, how to prepare, or where you should eat, drink, play and stay, Lisa has local insights and is willing to assist in any way she can.
BarthHaas
Martina Resch | Executive Assistant & Project Coordinator, BarthHaas
martina.resch@barthhaas.com
+49 151 2522 3034
Martina is your German contact before the trip. Whether you have questions about registration, payment, travel coordination or next steps, she’ll help make sure you have the information you need and can connect you with the right HPA contact for local details.
HPA
Mick Bentley | GM Sales, HPA
mick.bentley@hops.com.au
+61 414 318 183
Mick is your hoptimal tour guide. He’ll educate you on HPA’s rich history and production process, taking you behind the scenes from paddock to pellet to see what makes Australian hops world-class.