Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Road trips for food and wine lovers
Take an exciting road trip to these beautiful destinations and sample some of our country’s best food and wines as you go
our fabulous BHG TV presenters love to travel Australia, and so do we! So let’s take to the road, follow their routes, and find great experiences and the best food and wine along the way. The rolling hills of the Barossa Valley have long been synonymous with wineries. Iconic names like Seppeltsfield, Penfolds and Jacob’s Creek are just a few of the famous vintners from this part of South
Australia, just a delightful hour’s drive from Adelaide. When visiting, try a few of the smaller, family owned vineyards like Yelland & Papps along with the more famous cellar doors. And if you prefer not to drive, Adelaide Sightseeing has a brand-new stop on their full-day Barossa Food and Wine Experience tour. The tour now visits the new Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, making it a day of wine, chocolate, more wine, cheese and more chocolate. The tour also includes a visit to Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop for lashing of tastings. Yum! adelaidesightseeing.com.au.
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Way up there has it all – tropical fruits, sugar cane, rich vanilla beans, coffee and, of course, spectacular rainforests and reefs. And let’s not forget a marvellous array of restaurants, breweries and cafes to savour. And, if you wish, you could get away from the tourist hustle of Cairns, venturing north to a picturesque town nestled among cane fields and verdant mountains
– hello Mossman! And of course, it’s the gateway to Mossman Gorge, an imposing natural wonder that’s part of the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest – a visit not to be missed. Close by is dreamy Port Douglas, where you can walk along the spectacular Four Mile Beach. It’s here that a local known as ‘Coconut Rodney’ harvests fresh coconuts for some of Australia’s top chefs. Just across the water is a sandy coral cay of islands known as the Low Isles. Perfect for a snorkel tour, there are 150 different species of hard corals in the waters surrounding Low Isles. After this, head towards the rich food bowl of the Atherton Tablelands where you can learn about aromatic coffee beans and try their incredible papayas. queensland.com.
THE MUDGEE REGION IN NSW
It’s no secret that this region in the Central West of New South Wales is brimming with fresh produce and incredible wines. Amid this, the Capertee Valley just outside Mudgee, part of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area, has one of the largest enclosed canyons in the world – wow! – which is best seen on a helicopter ride. Commercial Helicopters even offer winery heli-tours where you stop in at up to four cellar doors in the Cudgegong Valley and fly off in style. Also, it’s worth seeking out producers and restaurants in neighbouring towns such as Rylstone. First stop has to be dumplings at 29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House. Here you can choose from six to 12 courses, plus a tea to match each. Book ahead, this place is popular. But that’s not the end of the foodie trail; there are more wineries as well as beautiful olive estates. Go Mudgee, it just about has it all! mudgeeregion.com.au.
VALLEY OF THE GIANTS, DENMARK, WA
Western Australia is well-known for its incredible produce, from the Swan Valley to Margaret River. And farther down south is the town of Denmark, also renowned not only for its produce but incredible beauty, too. A great way to explore all the area has to offer is to embark on the Taste of the Valley of the Giants trail. It’s a win-win – at the same time as you drive through exquisite natural forests, you’ll sample goodies as you take in the scenery. What could be better! You also stop into the hamlets of Walpole, Peaceful Bay, Bow Bridge and Nornalup, beside incredible beaches. And you’ll find breathtaking flora and fauna along the Bibbulmun Track. Make sure you take time out to experience the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, where you climb 40m into the forest canopy. And even more on the Giants trail, you’ll discover a vast array of local wines, incredible cider, fresh produce and home-cooked gourmet delights. Don’t miss this trip! westernaustralia.com.
BRUNY ISLAND IN TASMANIA
Imagine tasting fresh oysters shucked straight from the water and viewing a diver forage the ocean for abalone and sea urchin. You can, on the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction boat trip with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. They’ll fish, too, for fresh rock lobster if that’s your preference. The highlight is not just seeing all the action and enjoying the ocean views along the way, it’s feasting on this fresh seafood all accompanied by gourmet local produce and Tasmanian wines, boutique beers, ciders and juices. This intimate (only 12 guests) full-day cruise departs from Hobart and cruises down the Derwent River and into the sheltered waters of the D’entrecasteaux Channel that surrounds Bruny Island. Other journeys available on these custom-built yellow boats include the opportunity to have up-close encounters with wildlife including seals, dolphins, migrating whales and seabirds. Too wonderful! pennicottjourneys.com.au.
DARWIN’S RAPID CREEK MARKETS
Any visit to Darwin has to include a stroll around the city’s oldest markets. Why? Because The Rapid Creek Markets offer the best of Aussie and Asian produce. Think durians, pandan leaves and purple dragon fruit, and there’s also a great selection of dried and preserved goods. It’s like stepping into a bustling Asian market when you get among the more than 100 market stalls and stores. There’s also an array of crafts, jewellery and beauty products on offer. Of course, all this wandering and perusing is going to make you hungry. So visit the Street Food Park offering superb laksa, Sri Lankan curries and Thai noodles, best served with a cool tropical smoothie – open every weekend. Keen for more markets? Darwin’s world famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are renowned for awesome sunsets over the sea in a relaxed yet vibrant tropical setting. Darwin, it’s a great place to visit everywhere. rapidcreekmarkets.com.au.