100 Gourmet Experiences: AT Staff Picks

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The Australian Traveller team couldn’t agree on the Top 100, so they took it upon themselves to give their favourite from the final list, as well as the ones they wish could have made it. Who do you side with? Log on and let us know if we all missed one too . . .

Greg Barton

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

The Great Aussie BBQ. It’s something that will always be an iconic Australian experience, but it doesn’t limit itself to being a “basic" or “non-gourmet". Yes, you can stick to the script of sausages, beer, more sausages and more beer, but if you fancy yourself as more of a Matt Moran type, there’s nothing to prevent you from barbequing a nice piece of fish and bringing it to that Masterchef level with a few more sophisticated accompaniments. For that reason alone, it’s the great social equaliser. Something that can bring all Australians together.

One That Got Away

I was quietly devastated when Eating a Pie and Sauce at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG didn’t make the Final 100. Again, it can be a simple Four’n’Twenty or dolled up to something more gourmet. I have vivid memories of bonding with my Dad as he showed me how to get that sauce onto your pie with one hand, while leaving the other hand free to drink a beer (soft drink for me at that age), all while keeping one eye on the batsmen at the crease. I hope some day to teach my son how to do the exact same thing.

Quentin Long

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Sorry, but anything that’s two days of nose-to-tail cooking of an entire pig where you learn butchery, cooking, vegetable cultivation and more cooking is just too good to be true – it has to be The Agrarian Kitchen.

One That Got Away:

Clairault Margaret River. A fabulous lunchtime restaurant in Margaret River wine country that is everything the Margaret River needs to be.

Nigel Herbert

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AI Prompt

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Taste of Tasmania. It’s the best way to spend the New Year in Australia. Full stop. If I had a magical transporter machine, I would have New Year’s in Sydney, staying at the Four Seasons, then I would roll out of bed on New Year’s Day and be magically whisked to Constitution Dock in Hobart. Where I could sit in the sun, nurse my hangover while listening to Jazz and watching the boats form the Sydney to Hobart roll in. All the while eating the world’s best oysters, matched with great wine. This is the best-known hangover recuperation session on the planet.

One That Got Away:

BBQ King in Chinatown. It’s not the best duck but it has that brutal Chinese efficiency. I think the soup nazi in Seinfeld was modelled on these guys. It’s an experience. And it is the best way to end a Friday night in Sydney.

Lisa Perkovic

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Sunnybrae Restaurant and Cooking School – George Biron wins you over with his passion for Australian produce, teaching and a good meal.

One That Got Away:

Jannei Goat Dairy – these Lithgow cheesemakers live and breathe for their produce and it shows. The goat curd is divine.

Jane Abma

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

The Turkish-gourmand delight of Ottoman Cuisine in Canberra. On my last visit there, I gave three of my senses the evening off so I could fully appreciate what was a truly orgasmic fusion of taste and smell – a sensory adventure I will never forget.

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One That Got Away:

I would have to say the Fort Denison Cheese & Wine Experience – I have already given personal reviews to certain cheese-loving comrades encouraging them to do it before the year is out because it really is fascinating.

Alex Barnett

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

MoVida, because it was Great Food and an all round fantastic venue and when Nigel asked the waiter would that be enough he made a smug laugh and said “You’ll see" . . . needless to say what followed was not enough for such amazing food.

One That Got Away:

Won Ton Noodle Soup with Extra Won Tons and Egg Noodle From Cafe China in Cairns or Happy Chef on Sussex. A Sunday tradition for the past two years, it’s just great food.

Megan Russell

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Nothing beats The Great Aussie BBQ during summer!

One That Got Away:

Enjoying a Sunday pub lunch – it’s gotta be a pint and parma at your favourite local pub.

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9 experiences in and around Noosa you haven’t tried yet

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Noosa’s magic extends beyond the sun and sand. Uncover this popular region’s natural charms and secret spots to get more from your visit.

    Wander through bushland and paperbark forests, linger on a curve of quiet beach, hit the water or hike up a mountain. Whether you’re seeking long languid lunches, savouring the region’s best food and wine, are ready to rejuvenate or are up for an active adventure, there are Noosa experiences for everyone.

    Winter is the perfect time to visit – it’s still warm enough to bask in Queensland’s sunshine and mild temperatures while discovering the natural beauty and sustainable experiences that make this region so popular. It’s easy to see why Australian Traveller readers voted Noosa Australia’s top town to visit.

    1. Explore the hinterland

    Two women kayaking during a Noosa experiences.
    Kayak through Noosa’s peaceful hinterland.

    Choose your Noosa experience – kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing, camping or hiking – with Noosa-based Adventure Tribe. They host guided experiences throughout the region, including in Rainbow Beach, Cooloola and the stunning Noosa Everglades.

    Small group tours with Joel’s Journeys combine hinterland villages with wine and cheese or chocolate tasting, a gourmet lunch, waterfalls, the Everglades and memorable views.

    Plan ahead for the Great Noosa Trail Walk. This 56-kilometre three-day trek into the Noosa Biosphere will help you reconnect with nature over the October long weekend.

    2. Accommodation to suit all budgets

    The bedroom at Elysium Noosa Resort noosa experiences.
    Book into Elysium Noosa Resort. (Image: Elise Hassey)

    Indulge in luxury at one of Noosa’s premium resorts or bring the family for a laidback beach-focused holiday. Anywhere you choose will mean you’re never far from the vacation vibes of Hastings Street.

    The recently rebranded Elysium Noosa Resort has given new life to one of the most central spots in Noosa Heads, while Number One in Hastings Street offers a range of luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and exclusive penthouse suites, surrounded by the national park and boutique shopping.

    Families will love the space and pools of Mantra French Quarter Noosa. Over at RACV Noosa Resort, a water park and games room compete with the beach for the kids’ attention while adults indulge in the day spa or hit the tennis court or gym.

    For couples, Noosa Blue Resort’s studios and one-bedroom suites have sweeping river, bay and hinterland views from its perch atop Noosa Hill. With two outdoor heated pools, spa, steam room, yoga studio and more, it’s the complete package.

    Travelling on a budget? Halse Lodge offers heritage-listed colonial-style accommodation for backpackers and budget travellers without sacrificing style or comfort, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Family-friendly Ivory Palms has three pools, a children’s playground, jumping pillow, tennis courts and more.

    3. Reset and rejuvenate

    the massage bed at Sensaura Day Spa, Noosa experiences
    Unwind with spa treatments at Sensaura Day Spa.

    Banish stress, slow down and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Noosa while indulging in pampering treatments. Reset and recalibrate with packages from one of the many day spas – try Sensaura Day Spa Noosa or Noosa Springs Spa.

    Noosa Bespoke offers three thoughtfully designed packages that focus on wellness, active adventures and fresh local produce, all with a focus on sustainability, allowing guests to choose their own way of discovering Noosa.

    For something different, try forest bathing and take a walk in Noosa National Park.

    4. New dining experiences

    Cibaria Noosa experiences
    Enjoy authentic Italian at Cibaria Noosa. (Image: Elise Hassey)

    Stroll Hastings Street to find your own dining vibe. For authentic Italian, head to Cibaria Noosa for everything from a coffee and pastry to amazing pasta and seafood platters.

    Over in Noosa Junction, try something lighter at Atelier Wine Bar. Taste a selection of bar food and platters including charcuterie, cheeses, oysters and more. Then finish off with ‘dessert in a glass’.

    Order out or dine in at Somedays Pizza, where all the ingredients for the organic, wood-fired pizzas are sourced from local farmers, artisans and winemakers.

    5. Where the locals eat

    Rickys River Bar And Restaurant noosa experiences
    Enjoy waterfront views at Rickys. (Credit: Manuel Freudenmann)

    Perennial favourites Bistro C, Season Restaurant Noosa and Sails are absolute beachfront dining options overlooking Laguna Bay. You can almost feel the sand between your toes as you enjoy some of the finest cuisine on offer.

    Locale Noosa’s seasonal Italian menu features handmade pasta, traditional antipasti and delectable desserts. On the riverfront, Rickys River Bar and Restaurant has been luring the locals for years; come for the elegant setting and fabulous food and wine, and stay for the sunsets.

    6. Spot humpback whales

    humpback whale sighting noosa experiences
    Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

    There are plenty of great places to watch the gentle giants of the sea make their annual migration from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Queensland coast between May and October.

    To see whales at play and teaching their calves to breach and tail slap, head to Hell’s Gates or Dolphin Point in Noosa National Park, or to one of the many vantage points along the coast from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach. For closer encounters, book a whale-watching boat tour.

    7. Take a country drive

    Three people walking towards Pomona during a Noosa getaway.
    Sample craft spirits at local distilleries.

    Download the Noosa Country Drive map from the Visit Noosa website, or pop into the visitor information centre for a printed copy, then jump in the car to explore craft breweries, gin distilleries, bookshops, country pubs, scenic lookouts and cute cafes.

    Through the villages of Cooroy, Pomona, Eumundi, Cooran and Kin Kin, look out for local markets and galleries for that special souvenir. Want to stay longer? There are farm stays, boutique B&Bs and glamping tents to rest your head. Take time to go horse riding or mountain biking, ride a steam train or explore a small museum. And don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce from a roadside stall.

    8. Explore the eastern beaches

    Sunshine Beach near noosa
    Visit Sunshine Beach, just minutes from Noosa. (Credit: Amy Higg Photo)

    Noosa’s near neighbour beaches, Peregian and Sunshine, are just a short drive south. Peregian Square has boutique shopping, vintage finds, homewares, day spas and antiques, and weekend markets are held twice a month in the beachside park.

    Drop into the Peregian Beach Hotel for a meal and live music, or head to the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club for views of the patrolled beach. Grab a coffee or juice at plastic-free Sunshine Social and linger on the deck under the pandanus trees.

    9. Discover the Noosa River

    A scenic boat trip during a Noosa getaway.
    Discover Noosa from the water on a scenic boat trip.

    Taking time out on the Noosa River is a serene way of exploring more of this region. Whether by canoe or kayak, a small boat or scenic boat trip, being on the water gives a new perspective on Noosa.

    Head to Terrace Marina for small boats and great coffee, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis to explore independently, or join Noosa River Cruise Co for a romantic gondola ride.

    At sunset, board the Noosa Queen to cruise along the river – cool drink in hand – to the shores of Lake Cooroibah.

    Start planning your Noosa getaway at visitnoosa.com.au.

    100 Gourmet Experiences: AT Staff Picks - Australian Traveller