From grass to glass: Distillery reviving hinterland's cane farming tradition

Field of dreams: Luke and Kylie Farrelly on the fourth-generation family farm where they grow, harvest and mill the sugar cane and distil it into high quality spirits for sale. 

by Cameron Outridge

A small distillery based at a historic family farm, is bringing sugarcane back to life on the Sunshine Coast.

After a 20-year hiatus, the fourth-generation farming family has launched Canefields Distillery reviving the growing of sugar cane, an industry deeply rooted in the region's history.

Canefields Distillery Bli Bli is more than just a business—it’s a continuation of the Cook family's legacy, one that began with the golden days of the Coast's sugar industry. The closure of the Nambour Sugar Mill in 2003 marked the end of an era for many local cane growers, including the Cook family.

But today, Dan Cook, Luke Farrelly, and Kylie Farrelly are writing a new chapter for the family farm, focusing on crafting small-batch, high-quality spirits that celebrate the history of the land.

"After a 20-year break, we are thrilled to announce the start of this year's sugar cane crush," said Canefields Distillery co-owner Dan.

The distillery, built on a whole-of-lifecycle approach, manages every step from growing, harvesting, and crushing the cane to distilling and bottling—all under one roof on the family property.

Luke, who oversees marketing and operations, noted the importance of connecting to the family's history and using the land to its fullest potential. "Our family has a real connection to this land and its sugarcane heritage. We are dedicated to producing premium sugarcane spirits that reflect both our history and the future of sustainable farming," he said.

The trio is also experimenting with heirloom sugarcane, partnering with a university to explore traditional varieties for rum production, and participating in broader studies to ensure their practices are sustainable and innovative.

Canefields Distillery's flagship products include single-origin rums, Australian dry and navy-strength gin, as well as unaged sugarcane spirits. Each sugarcane batch tells a unique story, with every bottle crush-dated and numbered — charting the history of the spirit from paddock to glass.

The distillery is inspired by the model of boutique wineries, aiming to release unique, limited editions that celebrate specific crushes and varieties.

The family plans to expand their production and offer more events, such as seasonal tastings and educational tours.

They also hope to deepen their connection with the local community by providing more opportunities for locals to learn about the sugarcane tradition and participate in the journey of their unique spirits.

Visitors are welcome at the Canefields Distillery on Finland Road, Pacific Paradise, where they can sample and purchase spirits at the distillery door on Saturday afternoons until sunset.

• Keep an eye on Canefields' social media for opening times and event announcements.