Thanks to a multicultural population of food lovers, an abundance of fresh ingredients from both the land and the sea, and a new generation of internationally acclaimed and highly innovative chefs, Australia has no shortage of dining options to tantalise any visitor’s taste buds.

As the World’s largest island it is only natural that seafood should dominate menus across the continent. Dine on swimmingly fresh Tasmanian Salmon and South Australian Rock Lobsters. Feast on Queensland Mud Crabs and freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters. Barbeque your own catch of Barramundi and sample the more intriguing delicacies of the deep such as Moreton Bay Bugs (small lobster-like crustacean) and Margaret River marron (freshwater crayfish).

The inexhaustible variety of fresh produce does not stop at the shore; Australia also produces excellent beef and lamb which are exported around the globe. And for the more adventurous epicureans, there is also kangaroo, emu and crocodile to be sampled. Vegetarians will delight in the abundance and wide selection of tropical and cool climate fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Australia’s wines are now world renowned and oenophiles are spoilt for choice with delicious drops to be sampled in nearly every corner of the continent from Margaret River’s buttery Chardonnays, legendary Barossa Shiraz, big Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley Rieslings, Hunter Valley Semillons, Rutherglen ‘stickies’, Yarra sparklings and cool climate Pinot Noir from Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. The list of thirst quenching boutique beers is almost as far reaching, from Tasmania’s clear Cascade Lagers to South Australia’s cloudy Coopers Ales.

Regions as distinctive in their produce as they are in landscape can be sampled in the lively markets across the nation. You can almost taste Darwin’s proximity to Asia in the spicy laksas at the Mindil Beach sunset markets. Savour the flavours of the tropics sipping a mango smoothie at the Courthouse markets in Broome or spend the afternoon relaxing with fresh seafood and fine wine by the waterside at Sydney’s lively Fish Markets.

Continue your tasty travels following a trail of iconic dining experiences across the country;

Sample Sydney sunny side up with breakfast by the beach in Bondi. Take a seaplane to lunch by the water's edge and sip afternoon tea on a harbour cruise. Watch the city lights appear with a cocktail at the Opera Bar, dine at any number of fine city restaurants and grab a late night meat pie at Harry’s Café de Wheels.

See and be seen at the pavement tables on St Kilda’s bustling beachfront and enjoy the spoils of Melbourne’s multicultural melting pot in Richmond, Fitzroy and Chinatown. Dine among the vines of the Mornington Peninsula where fine foods are served with stunning coastal views. Enjoy a champagne balloon flight over the Yarra Valley vineyards or drink in the curative waters of Daylesford’s mineral springs.

Dine your way along Noosa’s trendy Hastings Street. Sample the Daintree Ice Cream company’s exotic flavours, with tropical treats such as wattleseed, macadamia and mango. Perfect the art of cocktail making on Hayman Island and taste the home grown flavours of the tropics on Haggerstone.

Unpack a gourmet picnic hamper of creamy King Island cheeses, delicately smoked salmon and sweet local strawberries in the pretty gardens of your Tasmanian country manor. Watch the brightly coloured fishing boats dock in front of your waterside table in Hobart and catch yourself a trophy sized trout in the Island’s icy streams.

Visit the original Penfold family cottage, home of the legendary ‘Grange’ shiraz or cycle between the boutique wineries of the pretty Clare Valley. Kangaroo Islands’ beachside tables and the Limestone Coast’s quayside cafes serve up a smorgasbord of fresh seafoods.

Enjoy an ice cold beer with the locals at a classic outback pub and sample some real Australian ‘bush tucker’ with the traditional landowners around the campfire. Land yourself a ‘barra’ for the barbeque or sit back and watch the sunset over Uluru as you dine under the stars to the sounds of the didgeridoo.

Enjoy a refreshing ale in Freemantle or an exotic sunset cocktail in Broome. Join a cooking class in the Margaret River or join your outback station hosts for dinner around the family table.

Gastronomes will delight in this continent and all its flavours.

Note:

• Most special dietary requirements can be widely catered for. Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements so that we may inform the appropriate accommodation and tour operators accordingly.
• Many restaurants are “BYO”, meaning you may bring your own bottled wine to drink with the meal. The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years.
• Tipping is entirely discretionary in appreciation of good service. Employees do not depend on gratuities for their income nor are service charges routinely added to the bill however a tip of up to 10% in recognition of excellent service has become the custom in cafes and restaurants.