Foodies rejoice!
One of the best parts of travel is sampling the local culinary scene, and Australia is packed with national treasure-worthy dishes and beverages.
Idyllic wine regions. Seafood caught fresh from the ocean. Traditional bush tucker. Easy-going markets where you can buy gourmet bread, cheese, and meat straight from the source.
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There are so many ways to combine a stunning holiday destination with a feast for the senses. (Plus, there’s a long list of iconic Aussie snacks – Vegemite sandwiches, fairy bread, Tim Tams, and the humble Caramello Koala, to name a few – that make the perfect road trip fuel.)
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It’s easy to season your trip around Australia with the very best local flavours. We’ve listed some of our favourite food and drink experiences by state and territory below. See what’s on the menu, then book your stay nearby via the G’day Parks app or online.
South Australia
COFFIN BAY
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Pack some Smiley Fritz and a FUIC (a.k.a. Farmer’s Union Iced Coffee) for your road trip to Coffin Bay, the Eyre Peninsula’s oyster capital! After just one look at the pristine, turquoise water, you’ll be in heaven. On an oyster farm tour, wade out into the ocean to hear from expert guides about how these world-class oysters are grown and farmed. Then, it’s time to learn how to shuck them, ready to taste straight from the sea.
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Around Coffin Bay, you can also spot wildlife in Coffin Bay National Park, join a fishing charter, or relax like a pro on a glass-bottom boat tour while admiring the underwater ecosystem (glass of wine in hand, of course).
Western Australia
FREMANTLE and SWAN VALLEY
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WA is teeming with delicacies. Down south, you'll find the Margaret River Wine Region and Manjimup’s esteemed truffles. Up north, seek out the Carnarvon Fruit Loop Drive Trail and pearl meat in Broome. All along the coast, rock lobster (or ‘crayfish’) is one of the state’s darlings. Sign up for a rock lobster tour in the port city of Fremantle, a place also known for its market atmosphere, café buzz, and foreshore fish and chips.
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Then, follow the Swan River to the beautiful Swan Valley Wine Region and add another side to your Perth foodie getaway, with wine tastings, gourmet platters, and fine dining.
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Northern Territory
THE TOP END
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If you want bush tucker and fresh seafood, go to the Northern Territory. Famous for everything from witchetty grubs to kangaroo meat, the Top End’s number one foodie experience has to be barramundi fishing. Head to Barramundi Adventures, book a charter, or take your own boat out for a spin to try and reel in a big one. The best time to catch a barra is during ‘the run-off’ from March to May, but honestly, there’s great fishing all year round near Darwin.
Image Credit: Liam Neal
If you don’t come home with a catch to cook up in the park, never fear. Dine at a local restaurant and you’re sure to find barramundi or mud crabs on the menu, ensuring you get to eat the Northern Territory's trademark seafood on your holiday.
Queensland
BUNDABERG
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Moreton Bay Bugs are a Sunshine State specialty, which you can find all over Queensland, including the coastal city of Bundaberg. Home to two renowned drink companies – Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks – there’s a beverage for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for spirits or soft drinks. Adults can enjoy a rum distillery tour, or The Bundaberg Barrel offers an all-ages experience to go behind the scenes and sample their full range. For another hands-on activity, head to Splitters Farm to make and taste another classic Australian food: damper.
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Queensland has an array of signature food products, including fruit (hello Bowen mangoes and Cavendish bananas), macadamia nuts, and the Sunshine Coast’s Buderim Ginger. Keep your eyes out for dishes inspired by these local flavours, wherever you travel along the coast.
Victoria
MELBOURNE and the YARRA VALLEY
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Start your day with Melbourne’s café culture, whether that means lining up for a globally acclaimed pastry at Lune Croissanterie or ordering a flat white and smashed avo from one of the many brunch spots.
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Then, drive north-east for an hour to reach the Yarra Valley. Here, you’ll find more than 80 wineries among the vines, rolling hills, and charming local towns. Join a winery tour and be guided through a handful of the region’s best cellar doors or navigate your own journey. A typical day could involve a world-class wine tasting, sharing a lunch platter, or savouring an indulgent meal overlooking the natural beauty of a vineyard backdrop. Equally suitable for a weekend escape or an interstate holiday, the Yarra Valley is a true gourmet getaway.
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Tasmania
HOBART and the COAL RIVER VALLEY
Image Credit: Samuel Shelley
Let’s be honest, the whole island of Tasmania is a food lover’s paradise. You can’t really go wrong when you buy from local producers and growers. However, if there’s one food item you can’t leave without trying, it’s a scallop pie from the Salamanca Markets. Picture this: fresh scallops, puff pastry, and rich curry sauce. Yum! To get your hands on one, all you've got to do is coincide your trip to Hobart with a Saturday morning at Salamanca Place. With more than 300 stallholders, you’re bound to find lots of other tasty things as you browse.
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Then, travel half an hour out of town to the gorgeous Coal River Valley, where you can live life in the slow lane at restful wineries. Hot tip: if you’re stuck for dinner ideas or can’t decide what to order on the menu, the state’s famed Tasmanian salmon is always a good choice.
New South Wales
SYDNEY
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If New South Wales has a signature dish, it almost certainly involves Sydney rock oysters, so why not go to the city they’re named after? It won’t be hard to find a restaurant with these on their roster, or you can drive 45 minutes to Mooney Mooney for an in-water tasting at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours.
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As you explore the country’s most well known landmarks, from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House, it just makes sense to go all out on your true-blue getaway and indulge in a few of Australia’s culinary delights. We’re talking fish and chips (with chicken salt, of course) on one of Sydney’s famous beaches, a chicken parmi* at the pub, and a meat pie from a classic bakery. After all, one of the best parts of travelling around this Great Southern Land is that no matter where you are, there’s a top-class bakery nearby!
*or parma, depending on where you’re from
Australia’s largest network of holiday parks = more foodie experiences at your fingertips
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Inspired? Excited? Salivating, just a little? Before you can make those reservations and book guided tours, first you need to lock in your accommodation at G’day Parks. There are more than 340 parks around Australia, giving you access to hundreds of foodie experiences—not to mention camp kitchen and BBQ facilities for the ultimate Aussie delicacy, snags on the barbie.
Round up your family and friends, choose your destination, and use the G'day Parks app or online to start cooking up your getaway today!
