Friday, October 10, 2014

Top 10 Food and Wine Experiences in Australia

Australia’s unspoilt landscapes offer an incredibly wide smorgasbord of fresh and tantalizing produce. But what really sets Australia apart is the place – stunning weather, sunshine, outstanding natural beauty and outdoor dining lifestyle means you can enjoy some of the world’s best food and wine in some of the world’s most stunning surroundings. At Restaurant Australia, experience open air dining like nowhere else.

1. Dining Against Spectacular Backdrops, Sydney

 
Sydney boasts a gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty, surrounded by some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House provide a stunning backdrop, however the scenic city is renowned for much more than its iconic landmarks and great beaches. Sydney is at the forefront of the global food and wine trend. Arrive at the stunning harbourside restaurant Quay by water-taxi or boat, and take in the spectacular harbour views with a sunset glass of Hunter Valley Semillon. You may also choose to dine on a private yacht or alongside the cafés near the Rocks.

2. Fish and Chips at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Sydney beaches have as many great cafés as they do great waves, and dining by the sparkling ocean is a treat anytime of the year. For visitors to the iconic Bondi Beach, nothing is more appropriate for this location than fish and chips. This quintessential Sydney destination is the perfect venue for a seafood fix.

3. Coffee Culture, Melbourne

Set along the picturesque banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne is considered one of Australia’s most artistic, fashionable and elegant destinations. The city’s melting pot of cultures is reflected in its eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Wander the quirky web of over 180 tiny laneways and side streets, bursting with one-off fashion boutiques, art galleries, hole-in-the wall cafes and secret bars and restaurants. These lanes are lined with everything from graffiti art, books to hard-core fashion from emerging designers.

4. Gourmet Delights, Great Ocean Road,Victoria

 

Take a scenic helicopter ride over the Great Ocean Road and its spectacular coastline for a bird’s-eye view of the awe-inspiring 12 Apostles, while also taking in the produce rich agricultural hinterland and Otway National Park. Back on land, experience the scenic, wine and food region of the Bellarine Peninsula. The fresh seafood and local produce is sure to provide a sense of regional Victoria’s rich bounty.

5. Private Island Picnic, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

The Whitsunday Islands of the Great Barrier Reef are famous for their luxurious offerings, including world-class food and wine experiences ranging from decadent beach dinners to chef prepared picnic baskets served on private strips of sparkling white sand. One of the best ways to soak up the sun-drenched beauty of this island paradise is to sail away on board a self-skippered or crewed catamaran or yacht, visiting a different island or reef each day. The largest island, Whitsunday Island, is also one of the most famous, with the crystal clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand of uninhabited Whitehaven Beach. It stretches over seven kilometres and offers breathtaking views – best experienced on a private helicopter flight.

6. Rainforest Dining Experience, Cairns

Hidden within the rainforest and surrounded by dramatic candelabras and flame torches, walking in through the gates feels like stepping into a magical world. Seated under a billowing canopy, as the candle and moonlight bounces around and blankets are handed out to bundle up in on cooler nights, the night takes on an otherworldly feel. And then there is the food. As platters are bought out in succession to each table, the sumptuous tropical feast begins. The inventive cuisine showcases Tropical North Queensland’s stunning produce served to perfection.

7. Barossa Valley, South Australia

With more than 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries, the Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest - and the world’s finest wine producing regions. From boutique and quirky vineyards, the Barossa Valley is renowned for its fresh seasonal produce, artisan food producers and award winning restaurants. One hour’s drive from the state’s capital, Adelaide, you can explore the Barossa by bicycle, vintage car, helicopter or hot air balloon. While in Barossa, learn to ‘Blend You Own Wine’ at Penfolds, the internationally renowned winery or wander around Maggie Beer’s farm shop to get a taste of fresh local produce.

8. Breakfast with the Kangaroos @ Kangaroo Island, South Australia

 
See native wildlife in the wild in the ecological haven of Kangaroo Island. Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, penguins, echidnas and bird life all call this island home. Walk amongst a colony of endangered Australian sea lions at Seal Bay. Dining at Southern Ocean Lodge, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, is both a dynamic delight for the senses and a true gastronomic journey of Kangaroo Island. Take a luxury four-wheel drive across Kangaroo Island and enjoy barbecue and picnic meals in the open as you watch kangaroos hopping about and koalas snug on tree tops.

9. Oyster Shucking, Tasmania

 


Freycinet Peninsula is a breathtaking scenic combination of pink granite mountains, white sand beaches, crystal clear water and eucalypt forests, over a long stretch of pristine coastline. Perched on Tasmania’s east coast, overlooking the Hazards Mountains, Freycinet Peninsula and Great Oyster Bay, Saffire Freycinet is a stunning luxury lodge surrounded by breathtaking nature. Don a pair of waders and visit the Freycinet Marine Farm, a working oyster farm where you can sample oysters fresh from the bay with a glass of champagne in the most beautiful setting.

10. Sounds of Silence, Uluru, Northern Territory

 
Right in the heart of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Red Centre, Uluru is a place that speaks of timeless folklore, rich indigenous culture and great spirituality. Sounds of Silence offers the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours. An evening of dining under the sparkling outback sky. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and join your table for an unforgettable dining experience and an introduction to Aboriginal culture with a traditional dance performance.

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