Australia’s reputation for amazing food is growing. The various wine regions are some of the best places for delicious food and the farm to table movement. You can pretty much find good eats all over Australia in every city, but there are several hubs for gourmet dining. One of the best ways to enjoy your Australian holiday is to hire your own car from Budget Australia and then you will have the freedom to make your own schedule. Keep your options open, don’t limit yourself to fine dining, also try out cafes, pubs, specialty shops, fish markets, farmer’s markets and more. Today, we will be featuring the food scenes in Margaret River, Hobart, Mornington Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and the Eyre Peninsula.
1. Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula is located in Victoria about an hour south of Melbourne. It is known for being a laid back holiday resort destination, but the food scene there is growing in popularity and flavour. Being a peninsula on the coast makes fresh seafood ample and abundant. Then the rich farmland adds fresh fruits and vegetables into the mix.
2. Margaret River Region
Margaret River is located in Western Australia about three hours south of Perth. The entire region is one of the premiere wine regions in Australia and the food scene has grown up with the wine. The result is delicious gourmet wineries where some of the best chefs in Australia reside despite it not being in a major city. In addition to the rich vineyards, Margaret River is on the coast where you will find some amazing beaches and then to the west of the region are some of the most amazing forests, National Parks, and caves. This combined with the beautiful weather of the region, make for an amazing destination for your next foodie vacation!
3.Hobart
Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania. It is located on the south-east coast of the island state. The food culture here is growing in popularity. Much of the reason for the delicious food scene is because of all of the produce that grows here on the ‘Apple Isle’. In addition to apples, the island produces walnuts, blueberries, pears, plums, gooseberries, raspberries, stone fruit, wine, and honey. As part of the emerging food scene of Hobart and Tasmania is the annual festival called the Taste of Tasmania. It happens each year over New Year’s weekend in Hobart. This is a big international draw to Hobart which also has great food offerings year round with highlights at the Salamanca Markets and Bruny Island where you will find a whole host of superior sweets and freshly made honey.
4. Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is located off the coast of South Australia and you get to the island via ferry. Known as KI for short, it is also called the Galapagos of Australia because of the rich and unique wildlife that live on the island in the waters that surround it. You won’t only find kangaroos on the island, but also koalas, wallabies, possums, pelicans, penguins, many birds, seals, sea lions, platypus, and a host of other marine life in and along the coastlines. KI is a large island, so there is plenty to see, do, and eat while visiting. One of the biggest events of the year on Kangaroo Island is the Food Safari. It happens each year and is a 7-day event that includes island expeditions and adventures that allow guests to explore the island as well as the farms, wineries, and restaurants. The Southern Ocean Lodge hosts the Food Safari but it is not the only location where guests are dining because the delicious meals are set up at scenic locations all over the island. Of course, you don’t have to wait for the Food Safari to have a foodie vacation on Kangaroo Island, it is beautiful and bountiful all year long.
5. Eyre Peninsula
Not too far from Kangaroo Island is South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. It is well known for the Seafood Trail, a.k.a. The Aquaculture Trail. Visitors to the island can experience one of the freshest seafood experiences in the world when they hire a tour or go on a self-drive tour through the restaurants, coastal cafes, aquaculture farms, fishing boats, and port locations along the trail’s route. The route locations include: Whyalla, Arno Bay, Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay, and Ceduna. This is a seafood mecca, so you can expect to enjoy oysters, abalone, prawns, mussels, tuna, rock lobster, and more.
