Unique food experiences in Australia

Australia’s culinary scene is all about authenticity. Seasonal ingredients and local produce grace the menus of restaurants across the country, but you can indulge in truly unique dining experiences in places you might not expect. In the Northern Territory, you can dine in luxury lodges, share a meal onboard a river cruise and eat near Australia’s most awe-inspiring rock formation.

Admire the sunset while dining in Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Nitmiluk National Park, located just over three hours from Darwin by car, boasts remarkable rock cliffs, crystal clear waterways and a system of thirteen stunning gorges. Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is one of the park’s most stunning sites,  but it’s not only the scenery that will make your jaw drop. On a dinner cruise, you’ll also get a taste for fresh Australian produce as you learn about the area’s Aboriginal history. Set sail on a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise to glide down the cliff-lined gorge as you learn the stories of Jawoyn people. You’ll enjoy a candle-lit three-course meal, prepared on board, as you watch the sunset paint the sky. Alternatively, fly over the landscape in a helicopter for an epic birds eye view. Active adventurers can also take in the spectacular Nitmiluk scenery on several walking and hiking trails.

Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru is considered the spiritual centre of Australia, offering not only breathtaking beauty and fascinating Aboriginal culture but also sensational dining experiences. The Sounds of Silence dinner is perhaps the most moving dining experience in Australia. You’ll be served a bush tucker-inspired dinner as you listen to a didgeridoo performance and gaze out over Uluru. Alternatively, Tali Wiru serves up five courses created with native ingredients like fermented quandong and roasted toothfish. For a food experience that’s truly unforgettable, embark on a hunting and gathering journey with an Aboriginal guide. Uluru Bush Tucker Journeys by Ayers Rock Resort combines all of these dining opportunities for a range of tastes and budgets. While you’re in the Red Centre, don’t forget to also explore Uluru’s lesser-known (but equally impressive) neighbours, including Kata Tjuṯa and the expansive Kings Canyon.

Reconnect with nature at the Wildman Wilderness Lodge

Just 2.5 hours from Darwin by car, you’ll find a remote getaway nestled within the Mary River wetlands area. Wildman Wilderness Lodge offers luxe tents for a true bush ‘glamping’ experience. Complete with comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms and plenty of space, the Wildman Wilderness Lodge lets you reconnect with the nature that envelopes you. You’ll also experience top-quality cuisine here, with a range of dining experiences that reflect the surrounding landscape. Enjoy breakfast as you listen for rustling leaves and bird calls; find a spot of shade as you indulge in a lunch of delicacies from the local indigenous culture, and cool down with a drink and three-course dinner as you watch the sun sink into the horizon.

Have a bush tucker dining experience

Australia’s Aboriginal people have a deep connection to the earth, and the native ingredients that grow from it. Bush food - ingredients found in the outback - plays a huge part of cuisine in the Northern Territory. Now, you can gain unique insight into local culture with the Mbantua Dinner Tour. You’ll head into the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges to savour a three-course dinner made from native ingredients. Explore the land on foot before watching the sun sink low, changing the colour of the surrounding rocks. Your dinner will be cooked using the beautiful flavours of burning Mulga wood, and you’ll learn some of the cooking techniques and produce of the outback. After you’ve indulged in the exceptional meal, watch the desert come alive with animals after dark.