The 10 Best Ice Cream Shops In Australia [2026 Update]

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I don’t have an overly sweet tooth, which my hips adore, but I do have one sweet treat I cannot refuse – I do love a good ice cream. It has to be gelato and have a stellar reputation, or I won’t bother. I’m not a fan of those cheap supermarket cornetto ice creams, it’s got to be the best quality. So when we traveled around Australia on an 18-month road trip, I would only stop for an ice cream if it was considered one of the best ice creams in Australia.

While we didn’t try every ice cream shop in Australia, there were a couple of places our taste-testing girls remember for great ice cream on the trip. Get ready for an ice cream shop adventure!

At A Glance: Top 10 Ice Cream Places in Australia

Want to know where the best places in Australia for ice cream are, but don’t have a lot of time? Here are the top 10!

Looks like Queensland wins for ice cream in Australia, with Cairns rocking it!

1. Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour, Bathurst
2. Millers Ice Cream, Margaret River
3. Daintree Ice Cream Company, Daintree Rainforest, Qld
4. Gelato Messina, Manly, Sydney
5. Gelatissimo, Surfers Paradise
6. My Gelato Kirra, Coolangatta, QLD
7. Gelocchio, Cairns, QLD
8. Devine Gelato, Cairns, QLD
9. Coffee Barn Gelateria, Moonta Mines, SA
10. Amo Gelato Noosaville, Qld

The Best Ice Cream in Australia

Now you know the top 10, here is a little more about why we have picked these as our ultimate favorites…

1. Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour, Bathurst, NSW

Annie’s came highly recommended on our Facebook page to check out when Craig and Kalyra visited Bathurst. The line out the door of Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour agrees it’s a Bathurst institution. Many folks suggested the locally named Sofala Gold variety or Bridle Track, but Kalyra was having none of it and went straight for a scoop of blueberry + cookies & cream

2. Millers Ice Cream, Margaret River, WA

Millers Ice Cream is located on a dairy farm in Margaret River. It’s a drive to get there, but scenic and worth it. There is a playground and space for the kids to run around when they’ve finished licking their lips. There’s a wide variety of ice cream, and it’s expensive, but the scoop sizes make up for it!

3. Daintree Ice Cream Company, Daintree Rainforest, QLD

Even I splurged here. How can you say no to an exotic ice cream made from the fruits of the Australian rainforest? The Daintree Ice Cream Company is an expensive ice cream, but it’s a unique tasting experience worth coughing up the cash for, and all the fruit is native and naturally grown on the property. I loved the Black Sapote, Wattleseed, and Coconut. The flavours change each day and in relation to what has fallen from the trees!

4. Gelato Messina, Manly, Sydney, NSW

My friend Chrissy from Hair Romance told me about her addiction to Messina Gelato in Manly, Sydney. She was their number one fan on Instagram and would duck around the corner to join the queue each time they released a phone of their new flavour creation. When Kalyra and I went to meet her new distance education teacher before we set off on our road trip just around the corner, we decided to toast our new travel life with an ice cream after it. It was worth it! You can also find Gelato Messina across other parts of NSW and Victoria.

5. Gelatissimo, Surfers Paradise, QLD

Gelatissimo Surfers Paradise is the best place to get ice cream in Surfers Paradise! The best thing about Gelatissimo Surfers Paradise is that they also have a vegan mango option, so everyone can enjoy some of the delicious flavors no matter what your diet. They also have low-calorie flavors of sorbet. Unlike many sorbet makers, Gelatissimo Surfers Paradise is made with fresh fruit. There you go, hips; it’s all good to eat!

The lemon, mango and raspberry were my favourites – so refreshing. The ice cream was so good, and they also have a dairy-free and sugar-free option as well. Okay, Gelatissimo, you win! The girls happily gorged on different sweet treats and chocolate, announcing that the chocolate brownie was the best. Pop it on your Gold Coast itinerary.

6. My Gelato, Kirra, QLD

Our afternoon stop for ice cream was at the other end of the Gold Coast at Kirra Beach, just around the corner from Coolangatta. My Gelato was listed as TripAdvisor’s number 3 restaurant in Coolangatta when we visited; the raving reviews and the walls covered in newspaper articles noting their ice-cream fame pointed to a great experience.

I was happy to sit in the swinging chair while the girls played in the small kiddie section, and we waited for the hordes of people to leave so we could order our treats. I was tempted to grab a scoop of the chilli chocolate, but after tasting it and loving the burst of spice through the chocolate, I decided an entire cupful could teeter on the break-me line.

If you don’t want to carry through with the dare either, I recommend you, at least, grab a taste test. Then scoop up some of the Baileys flavour in a cup or cone after it for a softer experience. Another triple thumbs up. I can clearly see why these two ice creams are on the best ice creams in Australia list. The Gold Coast is the perfect place for ice cream. It’s the perfect place for almost anything!

7. Gelocchio, Cairns, QLD

If you’re wandering along the Cairns Esplanade in the tropical heat, Gelocchio is the perfect place to dip your head into to find a refreshing snack. This cheerful gelato bar serves up rich, creamy flavours alongside refreshing fruit sorbets. They have generous scoops, plenty of flavour choices, and a location made for people-watching!

8. Devine Gelato, Cairns, QLD

Another Cairns institution and a local fav for more than two decades, Devine Gelato scoops up handcrafted gelato made fresh every day. Alongside all the classic favourites, you’ll find standout flavours like Mango & Passionfruit, Macadamia Crunch, Coconut, and rich Belgian Chocolate, with plenty of rotating seasonal specials. Creamy, full of flavour, and made with quality ingredients, what more could you want?

9. Coffee Barn Gelateria, Moonta Mines, SA

Coffee Barn Gelateria was one of those unexpected gems that we’re so glad we discovered. Tucked away in the historic township of Moonta Mines, we almost drove straight past it—but we’re so glad we didn’t. The gelato is made in-house using fresh, quality ingredients, and has lots of flavours to choose from. There are plenty of seasonal creations worth trying, too. Grab your cone, find a shady spot outside, and take a moment to soak up the relaxed country atmosphere.

10. Amo Gelato, Noosaville, QLD

After a day exploring the Noosa River, we were excited to try Amo Gelato, a family-run gelateria that has built a loyal following in the Noosa region. It’s known for its silky, handcrafted gelato made with quality ingredients and plenty of creativity. We loved seeing flavours like Biscoff, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, and refreshing Passionfruit Sorbet on offer, alongside seasonal specials. It was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!

Best Ice Cream Brands in Australia

If you’re traveling internationally to Australia and you’re thinking about trying an Australian brand of ice cream, then you can find the brands below in any supermarket. We personally prefer the gelato ice creams from ice cream shops, but we get that international travelers want to taste some of the local products.

1. Paddle Pops

For those who prefer something creamy and fun, Paddle Pops are a popular favorite. Kids particularly like the Rainbow Paddle Pops, which are made with creamy milk and a whole lotta E-numbers. We’re personally not fans of the E-numbers, so we prefer to go for the classic chocolate Paddle Pop.

2. Mango Weis Bars

If you prefer something fruity, go for the Mango Weis Bars, which are small, snack-sized ice cream bars that are perfect for cooling you down on a hot day. They are made with real fruit and Australian dairy and are even gluten-free. They’ve been a family favorite since 1957 and are made with 96% Australian ingredients. You can find them in Woolworths, Coles, and IGA supermarkets.

3. Drumstick

Of course, you’ve probably seen the Drumsticks in the supermarket, and not just in Australia! Drumsticks can be found globally, but not many realize they are an Australian ice cream. They are produced by Peters, who have been making ice cream since 1907. The Drumstick was Australia’s first ice cream product and is still a favorite today. They are Australian-made in Mulgrave, Victoria, and come in a variety of flavors. The vanilla caramel choc chip and the choc mint are delicious, but if you prefer something with less sweetness, the boysenberry swirl is a nice fruity option. Of course, all the flavours are sweet though.

4. Golden Gaytime

Kids will go wild for a Golden Gaytime ice lolly. They are a sweet blend of smooth, creamy-textured ice cream and are coated in a biscuit crumb topping. They are produced by an Australian confectionery company called Streets and are toffee and vanilla ice creams, with chocolate coating and vanilla biscuit-like crumbs on top. Golden Gaytime is one of my all-time favorite ice creams!

More Australia Travel Tips

Need more inspiration for your trip to Australia? Check out these other resources…

• Outstanding National Parks in Australia
• Best Road Trips in Australia
• How to plan a two-week vacation to Australia
• Best of Australia
• Top Places in Australia
• Things to know about Australia

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