A Slice of Nature: Australia’s Best Food and Drink Experiences in the Great Outdoors

PUBLISHED August 20th, 2020 05:30 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:47 pm

Australia’s nature and good nosh have put it on the world map, so marrying the two is a sure-fire route to foodie bliss. Whether it’s ocean-to-plate, vineyard-to-glass, or bush-to-bowl, Australia’s rich terrain serves up the freshest food and drink experiences straight from the source. If you are craving some greenery and gastronomy, here’s our pick of Australia’s best gourmet experiences in the heart of nature.

Hunt Down Fresh, Fragrant Truffles

Australia is a goldmine for gourmets – especially if all the black gold buried in its forests is anything to go by. The rich soils around Canberra and Margaret River – particularly the famous Manjimup – are ideal for growing black Périgord truffles, which are unearthed by the tonne each June to September.

Join the hunt for these diamonds in the rough at Canberra’s The Truffle Farm, led by adorable truffle dogs; after your refreshing walk, sit down to a sumptuous lunch crafted around the funky fungi. Meanwhile, Manjimup’s The Truffle & Wine Co doubles the luxury with a truffle-infused food and wine pairing – perfect for tasting the best of the Margaret River terroir.

Slurp Seafood Straight From the Sea

Ocean gems are another treasure in Australia’s culinary trove, and there’s nothing like slurping them fresh from the waters. The Tasmanian coast, in particular, is an ocean-to-plate haven. Hop aboard Seafood Seduction’s full-day cruise and sail the sparkling, teeming waters from Hobart to Bruny Island. Savour oysters still dripping from the sea, watch your guide snorkeling for wild abalone and sea urchin, then lunch on the day’s catch alongside local beers and wines.

If you like getting a little more hands-on, how about reeling in your own barramundi in the tranquil waterways of the Northern Territory? At Barramundi Lodge in pristine Arnhem Land, you can snag juicy saltwater catch – barramundi, but also threadfin, blue salmon, and more – on guided fishing tours during the March-April and October-December seasons. After a day on the river, feast on a dinner prepared from the fruits of your labour.

Knock Back Beers Fresh From the Keg

Australia’s craft beer scene is brewing up a serious storm, with the number of local labels more than doubling in the last decade. And while Sydney and Melbourne are well-known contenders for the title of Australia’s ‘craft beer capital’, it’s worth venturing beyond the cities for crisp pints in the heart of nature.

Flying the flag high for South Australia is Prancing Pony Brewery, which clinched top spot in the 2016 International Beer Challenge. Get to know their bold, unfiltered beers on a brewery tour, then cosy up in their alfresco area with a cold one and glorious views over Adelaide Hills. Another essential pit-stop is Goodieson Brewery – this McLaren Vale brewery has an outdoor terrace overlooking the surrounding wine country. What more peaceful spot to quench your ale thirst with good company?

Forage For Bush Tucker in the Northern Territory

Witchetty grubs, saltbush, finger limes, emu – all these and more comprise bush tucker, or native foods lived off by the Australian Aboriginals. Up to relive the rugged days of the hunter-gatherers? Set a stone’s throw from the sacred monolith of Uluṟu, Ayers Rock Resort offers an immersive slew of bush food programs from foraging to fine dining. Taste seasonal fruits and spices fresh from the bush, and learn how to prepare them as food and medicine with your Indigenous guides. Come nightfall, tuck into a bush tucker-inspired buffet amidst a sparkling Field of Light, Uluru.

If you love your BBQ, RT Tours’ Mbuanta Starlight and Bush Dinner is calling your name. Featuring foods cooked in a bush oven to smoky perfection, this three-course meal takes place in the shadow of the Western McDonnell Ranges, beneath a blanket of stars. Once you’re stuffed, sprawl back and enjoy a drowsy chat about Aboriginal art.

Dine Transcontinental Aboard A Restaurant Train

Nothing beats the romance of old-fashioned rail travel – especially when it’s as scenic as the Indian Pacific Train journey. This four-day, three-night voyage carves an epic trail across Australia from coast to coast, passing through breathtakingly diverse landscapes. Starting out in Perth, you’ll tuck into a modern Australian feast as you glide through the lush hills of Avon Valley. Sample wines in the celebrated Barossa Valley, and breakfast with the jaw-dropping Blue Mountains as your backdrop.

For a shorter adventure, The Q Train in Victoria offers a three-hour taste of the picturesque Bellarine Peninsula. This restaurant train is well-stocked with the best wines and beers from indie producers in the region. Let their degustation menu of local produce take your tastebuds a-wandering through the Bellarine and across Geelong, all as you soak in scenes of rolling hills and seaside villages.

Wine Down Among the Vines in Western Australia

No Australian feasting, of course, is complete without a drop (or a cellar-ful) of its world-class vino. While you’ll find fine wineries by the dozen in the prime wine country of Western Australia, some are standouts for idyllic outdoor charms. Savour rich chardonnays and lovely lake views in Millbrook Winery‘s tasting room, then picnic in the jarrah forests with a spread of homegrown produce.

Over at Happs Winery, you can taste indigenous-inspired wines while strolling through the gardens, or pack yourself a cheese hamper and find the sunniest spot on their lawn. For biodynamic wine lovers, Cullen Wines is your mecca – tour the vineyards for an in-depth look at their biodynamic process, then expand your palate with top drops and bush tucker plucked right from their garden.

Feast Like A Local at Farmers’ Markets

If urban holidaying is more your style, you can still get your hands on Australia’s fresh bounties at the ubiquitous farmers’ markets. Sydney, for instance, runs its iconic Carriageworks Farmers Market each Saturday, where you can pick up local goods like Blue Mountains truffles and Mudgee wines. If you’re in Melbourne, a pilgrimage to the South Melbourne Market is a must – this venerable market has been peddling fresh veggies and seafood since 1867. Another market with a past, the Adelaide Central Market has been going strong with local cherries, cheeses, and other gourmet gems for over 150 years.

There’s no better place than the markets to indulge your exotic tastes too. Perched on Hobart’s waterfront, Salamanca Market is an artisan’s market which teems with scallop pie, crepes, and even wallaby burritos. Over in Darwin, Mindil Beach Sunset Market is the place to hit up for crocodile and kangaroo meats, savored with sunset views and boho beach vibes. Nothing beats Queensland’s Miami Marketta for sundown fun either – this hip spot comes alive three nights a week with a melting pot of street eats and live beats.

Tasting Australia

Is your mouth watering already? Ours sure are. If you’re cooking up an itinerary for eating your way through Australia, visit Australia.com for more travel inspiration.

Top Image: Gourmet Escape Western Australia

This article is sponsored by Tourism Australia.