If you are visiting the Copper Coast area of Yorke Peninsula, stop in at The Bond Store Wallaroo, a distillery, microbrewery and restaurant serving up something very special in the region.

The Bond Store opened in December 2019 and has been a popular venue for locals and visitors ever since. You’ll find it in the centre of town, on Owen Terrace and even from the outside you get a feeling that this is going to be a place you want to discover. The building was originally a store for barrels of wine, whiskey, rum and other goods which were unloaded from ships docked in the port. It was built in 1865 and was known as Elands Bonded Store. The current owners, Nicole and Derek Matthewman decided to name it The Bond Store in reference to its original name and also liking the idea of people bonding over a beer.

The restored brick building now has a classy interior where the copper still and shiny stainless steel tanks are all part of the decor. There are different areas to sit inside and out, at tables or booths to suit your needs (make sure to check out upstairs and downstairs) then treat yourself to either a beer paddle or a gin tasting experience. There are 12 beers brewed on site and the colourful gin flight is a delight for the eyes and the tastebuds. The gin varieties include True Blue Gin infused with aniseed Myrtle, butterfly pea flower and other native botanicals, Pink Gin infused with raspberries and my favourite of the three, Quandong and Blood Orange Gin.

While you’re tasting you can order tapas plates to share or more substantial meals with an interesting choice of Asian inspired ingredients as well as Moroccan and Australian native plant flavours and locally caught seafood.

The Bond Store is open Thursdays to Sundays from 12 til late most of those days, and bookings are recommended. We dropped in on a whim and were lucky enough to grab a table with a view of the passing people and traffic and the staff made it a really enjoyable experience.  We couldn’t leave empty handed either, with a bottle of gin and a 2 litre growler of a favourite beer to take away and savour.

cheers

Glenys