
Australia’s trendiest food and wine experiences
From foraging for your own dinner to reviving ancient winemaking techniques, 2020 is all about taking food and wine back to its roots.
Unpretentious, authentic and pared back - the latest trends on the Australian culinary scene can just as easily be used to describe the passionate Aussies that are leading the charge. It’s all about going back to basics by getting your hands dirty, rediscovering age-old techniques and championing sustainable practices and the dedicated local producers that put quality above all else. Get a glimpse into how Australia is looking to the past for the latest trends.
Foraging for your own dinner

The Truffle & Wine Co., Manjimup, West Australia

Rob Pennicott, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
"For many of our guests who live in urban environments, where fresh produce has sat on a shelf for a few days, they are in awe of the seafood we harvest - especially wild black lip abalone and sea urchin."
The rise of culinary tourism gives visitors an authentic taste of place, with everything from urban foraging to oyster shucking. It shares the story of a destination by putting local produce in the hands of visitors, who can experience its provenance in a unique and intimate way.
Step into the wild to gather ingredients from the local surrounds before indulging in a campfire cooking session and exquisite lunch that showcases the flavours of the Southern Highlands. Located just under a two-hour drive south of Sydney, this stunning region is home to Biota, an award-winning regional restaurant that offers Gather and Cook adventures with chefs.
Show moreCity distilleries

Granddad Jacks Craft Distillery, Miami, Queensland

Great for couples
At Archie Rose Distillery, you can participate in a "Blend Your Own Gin" class and take home a bottle of gin that is uniquely yours.
Australian distilling is no longer a new trend, but shaking up the industry is a recent increase in trendy distilleries cropping up in urban areas. Now you can experience top quality gins, vodkas, whiskies and rums on a tour, tasting or masterclass without ever leaving the city limits.
Sydney started it all with the opening of Archie Rose, which was shortly followed by a spattering of others taking their own spin on spirits. Manly Spirits Co. creates botanical vodka and whisky blends inspired by its beach location, while Poor Toms Gin Hall is the quintessential experimental hipster outfit. In Surry Hills, you’ll find Brix Distillers creating spiced rums just minutes from the city centre.
Show moreA shift to sustainability with sophistication

Oakridge Wines, Yarra Valley, Victoria
With a shift towards zero-waste, a wave of new sustainable restaurants are curating their menus to make the most of their seafood, meat and produce. The best part? They’re doing so in a classic Aussie, no-fuss style that showcases the food at its finest - fresh, simple and unpretentious.
In Sydney try St Peters for sustainable seafood served simply and beautifully, while Acre Eatery is a farm-to-table restaurant located just minutes from the city centre. Acre operates on an ethos of transparency, seasonality and traceability. Suppliers are local farmers and producers, and the menu is designed around what’s in season, meaning you’ll be served beautiful food that hasn’t travelled far to reach your plate.
Show moreRead next
Curtis Stone’s top foodie experiences
Alternative alcohol

Pink Moon Saloon, Adelaide, South Australia
Orange wine
Orange, or amber, wines represent the resurgence of ancient winemaking techniques and lost skills that have been rediscovered by today’s winemakers. With its pastel shade, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a rose. It couldn’t be more different. In simple terms, they are white wines that have been made using the same processes as reds - with extended skin contact. This results in a full-body, intense flavour that more closely resembles a red wine than a white. This makes them ideal for food pairings, and the novelty is taking the wine-drinking world by storm.
They’re generally made on a small scale, so head to Australia’s wine regions and seek out small cellar doors to taste some of these unique drops or quietly pass an afternoon in one of the hip city wine bars specialising in boutique wines.
Show moreLocal tip
To taste a wide range of craft beers, head to one of the hipster pubs in Sydney's inner-city suburbs. The Taphouse in Darlinghurst serves a rotating mix of almost 50 beers on tap.
The newest range of craft beers
The craft beer scene in Australia has been growing steadily for a few years now and as breweries perfect their craft it’s no wonder we’re seeing a rise in unique offerings. From sour and nitro beers to vegan breweries, these trends are quickly becoming a ‘hop topic’ in Australia.
Wayward Brewery in Sydney has had its 'Sourpuss' Raspberry Berliner Weisse on the menu for a while now and you won’t struggle to find a seasonal sour or menu staple on the list at most local breweries. However, one of the biggest game-changers in sour beer has got to be Wildflower Brewing & Blending in Marrickville. The beers are barrel aged with wild yeast, giving them their tartness.
Show moreSleeping between the vines

Sanctuary by Sirromet, Mount Cotton, Queensland
While Australia’s wine regions are blessed with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that allow you to spend a few nights in total luxury, the latest trend in accommodation is luxe glamping tents tucked right in the vines. Just under a four-hour drive west of Sydney is the wine region of Orange, where you’ll find cool-climate wines, fresh produce and clean mountain air. Stay at Nashdale Lane to wake up to misty views of Mount Canobolas before a day out wine tasting.
Near Bendigo, just an hour north of Melbourne, you can settle into Balgownie Estate to stay in one of their luxury glamping tents with private decks that offer views of the vineyards or bushlands. They offer bell tents as well as luxe, open-plan safari tents with all the modern conveniences.
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