Australian dining experiences worth travelling for

Travel is one of the most enriching and adored pastimes on the planet. Yet the personal reasons for why and when we choose to do it can be as unique as the spots on a leopard. If there’s one thing that unites most travellers though, it’s food.

In Australia we’re spoiled for choice with amazing dining options on our doorstep, particularly in the big cities. Saint Peter in Sydney, Wildflower in Perth, and Reine & La Rue in Melbourne, to name a few.

But we’re not interested in those right now. We’re turning our attention to the experiences where you least expect them, of which there are some incredible options.

Picnic 300m off the ground at Mt Buffalo

Securing a table at the hottest restaurant in town is often a challenge. This dining experience doesn’t have tables… or even a floor, for that matter. It’s a cliffside picnic suspended hundreds of metres above the valley floor at Mt Buffalo in North East Victoria.

Not your typical picnic spot.

Offered by Bright Adventure Company, the experience sees you abseil down to a ledge, where a picnic hamper chock-full of local produce and phenomenal views across the Ovens Valley await.

The experience typically lasts 2.5 hours.

Naturally, all safety equipment is provided, with an expert guide on hand to help you every step of the way.

$449 for 2 people, from Bright Adventure Company. 

Sample Indigenous flavours on the Sunny Coast

Food is always better when it has a story – when you can not only understand how it’s prepared but where it comes from. Australian native ingredients are ripe for storytelling, as soon the Sunshine Coast’s Saltwater Eco Tours are only too happy to share.

Cruises take in the waterways of Mooloolaba, Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country.
Tourism & Events Queensland

Not only a physical journey through the canals of Mooloolaba aboard a restored 58-foot Huon pine ketch, their bushtucker cruise also takes your palate on an adventure of its own too.

Native flavours with a side of cultural commentary on Saltwater Eco Tours.
Visit Sunshine Coast

One of three cruises offered, it features signature cocktails and artfully-plated canapés heroing ingredients native to the area, paired with an opportunity to connect with Indigenous elders of the area – their family history and stories of the region.

From $75, with Saltwater Eco Tours.

Heli-foraging in the Northern Territory

Foraging for native ingredients and botanicals is so hot right now. Restaurants and distilleries across the country are embracing the trend with gusto, and our taste buds are all the better for it. But none hold a candle to the latest experience from Darwin Distilling Co.

A premium gin making experience with a difference.

Rather than merely foraging in the local area, its heli-foraging adventure gives travellers a true ‘taste of the Territory’, ferrying passengers from Darwin to the beautiful Finniss River Lodge by helicopter – taking in some unforgettable scenery on the way.

Swap Darwin for the wetlands of Finniss River Lodge.

On arrival, intrepid foodies set out to explore the 50,000-acre outback cattle station by ATV and airboat, collecting ingredients to then create their own custom gin in the process.

Darwin Distilling Co founder Bec Bullen foraging at Finniss River Lodge.

Lunch and a make-your-own gin masterclass are included in the experience, with additional options including meeting the Distiller and a stopover at a Litchfield National Park waterfall.

Starting at $2499 per person, from Darwin Distilling Co.

Raise a glass to panoramic harbour views

Sometimes you needn’t travel far to have an experience outside the norm. Me-Gal Restaurant at Taronga Wildlife Retreat – a luxury eco-hotel where you can wake up to views of wildlife right outside your window – is just the ticket.

Me-Gal at Taronga Wildlife Retreat.
Steven Woodburn

Meaning ‘tear’ in the Cammeraygal language native to Sydney’s North Shore, Me-Gal is accessible to both retreat guests and the public, with its menu following a seasonal and sustainable approach complemented by a fabulous wine list.

The well-rounded wine list includes Australian classics alongside vegan, biodynamic and sustainable drops.

Dishes include Sydney rock oysters with seaweed infused cider vinegar, char-grilled octopus and native sea herbs, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder paired with heirloom carrots and chat potatoes. There’s also a shared feast if you’re hungry.

A view worth dining out on.
Me-Gal / Facebook

Interiors are chic and refined, but what really sets the venue apart is its view: stretching across the treetops of the tiara-like Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge. A must-see at sunset.

Dine à la carte or opt for a shared menu at $90 per head, at Me-Gal.

Breathe in views of Uluru from an open air restaurant

Out in the elements overlooking sacred Uluru, the Sounds of Silence dinner at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort is known the world over. Yet, at the same resort, there’s another more induglent experience worth biting into as well: Tali Wiru.

Tali Wiru recently picked up its first Chef's Hat.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Meaning ‘beautiful dune’ in the local indigenous language, it’s an elevated take on the classic Sounds of Silence, one which swaps out the buffet in favour of a refined, multi-course menu infused with native ingredients and paired with premium wines.

Diners experience a deeper connection to Anangu land through its food and stories.

After kicking off with Champagne and canapés, it then plates up the rich history and culture of the area, with Indigenous storytellers sharing their ongoing connection to the land.

Every element is perfectly balanced - and delicious.

On the main menu you’ll find the likes of scallops with pickled muntries and a saltbush, quandong and rosella crumb, followed by toothfish, sea grapes and beach succulents. For dessert? A decadent desert honey mousse with Kakadu plum compote.

From $420 per person, at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort. 

Skydive into a wine tasting experience

Hopping into the car for a driving holiday amid the rolling hills of Australia’s famed wine regions is always a good idea – Daylesford, the Granite Belt and Hunter Valley are just a few that spring to mind. But what about skydiving into one instead?

That’s the idea at Bremerton Wines in Langhorne Creek, which has recently collaborated with SA Skydiving to offer a wine tasting experience with a difference.

Skydiving with a side of wine tasting.

Just over an hour from Adelaide, you’ll take to the sky from Langhorne Creek, all the while breathing in stunning views over the Murray River, Lake Alexandrina and the patchwork of vineyards stretching out across the region.

There’s nowhere to land at the Bremerton estate though, so it’s out the plane door and a one-minute freefall at over 220km/h, before your parachute opens and you gently glide directly into the winery.

The gorgeous cellar door at Bremerton Wines.

Wine tasting and an opportunity to treat your taste buds to regionally-inspired platters follows, thanks to a $50 Bremerton voucher.

From $698 at SA Skydiving.

Make pizzas with the master in Melbourne

Of the reasons to visit Naples, pizza sits at the top. After all, it’s the birthplace of the dish, famed for the simple yet delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas emerging from its woodfire ovens – lavished in tomato sauce, sprinkled in mozzarella and cooked to perfection.

While a pizza pilgrimage is a very worthwhile holiday, you can actually enjoy an authentic taste of Napoli pizza at 400 Gradi restaurant in Melbourne’s Brunswick East.

The wood fire oven at 400 Gradi.

Owner Johnny Di Francesco has been named Oceania’s best pizza chef on multiple occasions, while 400 Gradi received the first Australian certification from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (True Neapolitan Pizza Association). That’s a mark of quality right there.

Rather than just tucking into a slice, Di Francesco invites guests to join a hands-on masterclass in which they learn the secrets of making his award-winning pizzas – and get to enjoy the delicious, lightly-charred finished product, of course.

Join Johnny Di Francesco to learn the secrets of classic Napoli pizzas.

Booked individually or as a group, the 2-hour session begins with making dough from scratch, and culminates with a glass of Italian wine as you enjoy your mouth-watering creation. You get to take home some extra dough too.

From $200 per person, at 400 Gradi.

Shuck oysters fresh from sea in Tasmania

Popping down to your local fishmongers for a dozen oysters is always a good idea. But while indeed delicious, they can’t compare with those plucked and shucked fresh at the source.

Feast of fresh oysters with views of the Hazards mountain range beyond.

This exact experience can be enjoyed at Saffire Freycinet, an all-inclusive five star lodge nestled on the shores of Coles Bay in southern Tasmania. But not just anyone can take part. 

Saffire's Palate restaurant is equally impressive.

Exclusively for guests, Saffire’s tour sees you don waders to learn about the local marine ecology from an expert guide before harvesting your own oysters and tucking into them au naturale or drizzled in lemon. With a glass of Tassie wine, of course.

Free of charge for guests at Saffire Freycinet.

Whet your appetite with a 20-course degustation 

Native basil and chilli pickled mussels; lion’s mane mushroom in a luxurious crocodile broth. These are just two tantalising dishes from the 20-course tasting menu at Restaurant Botanic. And it’s truly ‘garden to plate’.

Dishes are a work of edible art.

Led by Chef Justin James, the Three Hat restaurant – enveloped by Adelaide Botanic Gardens – brings the depth of native ingredients to the forefront, plating up inventive flavour combinations from elements sourced locally and within the Gardens itself.

Chef Justin James making magic in the Restaurant Botanic kitchen.

Complementing the menus are three paired drink options, ranging from the non-alcoholic ‘Temperance’ featuring infusions and ferments through to a ‘Sommelier’s Reserve’ of rare and exclusive vintages.

The beauty of the Botanic Gardens is on full display from the dining room.

As expected, the setting is as much a part of the experience as the food. A curved 12-seater chef’s table allows you to watch the culinary symphony unfold in the kitchen while the main dining area has views of the surrounding greenery.

From $360 per person, at Restaurant Botanic.

Enjoy a seafood bounty on Port Phillip Bay

Mussels taste better when they’re fresher too. With that in mind, Portarlington Mussel Tours on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula – accessible by fast ferry from downtown Melbourne – is plating up a meal worth travelling for. And it’s hands-on too. 

Fresh from the sea.

This small group tour sees you join fourth generation farmer Lance Wiffen and his wife Lizzie on an immaculately-restored 40-year old Huon pine vessel, Valerie, for a fun and informative front row seat of the farming process.

Valerie ready to take diners out for a gourmet adventure.

Once out on scenic Port Phillip Bay, you’ll be able to get hands-on and help harvest the mussels after they’re pulled from the water on ropes, before enjoying a cooking demonstration and tasting. Local platters and drinks are also included.

Feast on fresh mussels prepared onboard.

There’s plenty of opportunity for sightseeing as well, with the distinctive Melbourne skyline and You Yangs mountains rising in the distance. If you happen to spy a few dolphins along the way, that’s an added bonus!

From $250 per person, from Portarlington Mussel Tours.

Savour fresh seafood in the Abrolhos Islands

Scenic flights and sensational food are a match made in heaven. That’s probably why Swan River Seaplanes has debuted a high-flying culinary adventure from Perth to the wild Abrolhos Islands – some 60km west of Geraldton – and vivid Pink Lake, topped off by a delicious lobster lunch with Margaret River wines.

Swan River Seaplanes flying over Rottnest Island.

After a behind the scenes tour of Liddon Pearl Farm, followed by a refuelling stop, the journey continues back to the WA capital, but not without a scenic orbit of Rottnest Island allowing you to take in its striking bays, beaches and salt lakes from above.

No island hopping adventure is complete without a succulent seafood lunch.

Firing up in early 2024 (this is a public service announcement to whet the appetite), the experience waves goodbye to Perth at 8:30am before arriving back into the city at 5:30pm. It’s an easy day trip – and once you’re unlikely to forget.

$2,075 per adult, from Swan River Seaplanes.

Forage, cook and feast in the Derwent Valley

Some 35 minutes out of Hobart, housed within a former asylum in New Norfolk, The Agrarian Kitchen is a fascinating destination indeed. In addition to a two Chef Hatted restaurant, it also boasts Tasmania’s most acclaimed cooking school.

Stop in for an unforgettable meal at The Agrarian Kitchen.

Since 2008, its hands-on classes have championed making food from its base elements. Think produce freshly harvested from its own kitchen garden, along with locally raised meat, dairy and sustainably sourced seafood.

Take your culinary skills to the next level with a small group cooking class.
Anna Critchley

Classes such as the Agrarian Experience are suitable for all levels, from home cooks to pro chefs. The intimate small-group experience includes foraging, harvesting, cooking and learning, with plenty of eating as well. 

The vast kitchen garden encompasses orchards, greenhouses, citrus and more.
Anna Critchley

Those looking to take their skills to a higher level can take part in in-depth masterclasses focusing on the likes of butchery and cheesemaking.

Dishes at The Agrarian Kitchen are beautiful to look at and to taste.
Anna Critchley

When the lessons are done, The Agrarian Kitchen restaurant plates up delicious set menus featuring the likes of Angasi oyster, lamb loin and smoked fish with green polenta.

Dining from $440 per person, at The Agrarian Kitchen.

Dine on the wild side in Canberra

Canberra is known for many things. Parliament House, foreign embassies, and museums and galleries, to name a few. Yet it’s also home to a rather unique dining experience.

Housed within the National Zoo complex, Jamala Wildlife Lodge, which is also home to a unique accommodation offering, invites guests to enjoy a delicious four-course dinner paired with Champagne and Australian wines – plus visits from lions and hyenas.

This is a dining experience worth roaring about.

Exclusively for in-house guests as part of the all-inclusive experience, it’s a chance to witness some of Africa’s most remarkable creatures up close – an appetiser for jetting off to the African continent and staying at one of the beautiful safari lodges.

The Giraffe Treehouse is one of the lodge's signature accommodations.

There are several fantastic rooms to check into at the lodge, including Giraffe Treehouses frequented by their namesake and Jungle Bungalows visited by tigers and bears.

From $1,550 per person, at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. The all-inclusive rate includes lodge accommodation, dining, drinks and exclusive tours.

Have your fish and frame it too at Pipit

The Gold Coast is among Australia’s top holiday playgrounds: a destination primed for relaxation, adventure, indulgence and just about everything in between. That said, its southern neighbour – the Tweed in northern NSW – is fast making a name for itself too.

Leading the charge is its culinary scene, with names such as Bistro Livi, Tweed River House and Potager all infusing it with richly-developed flavours. Pipit is another, and a very fine reason to travel indeed.

The open-plan kitchen allows diners to witness all the action.

Opened in 2019, the casual Ben Devlin-helmed restaurant now has an enviable two Chef Hats to its name, with tasting menus (set aside at least three hours) showcasing the bounty of produce available in the area. Yet it isn’t just the menus worth visiting for.

Barramundi immortalised in ink.

Combining a passion for seafood, sustainability and all things Japanese, Devlin uses a traditional fish painting method known as ‘gyotaku’ to create ink prints of produce used in the restaurant. Tuna, carrots, you name it, it’s had a print made.

Dishes are a feast for the senses.

From time to time, Devlin also holds art and food classes allowing diners and food lovers alike to get hands-on and create a Japanese gyotaku print of their very own.

5-course menu $155 per person, at Pipit.