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Australia’s best coffee revealed – and it isn’t where you think it is

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
The judges have spoken, and the flavours taking top honours are ones you’ll want to try.

Australia’s obsession with coffee has reached new heights with the country’s best brew officially crowned at the 2025 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show. After a blind tasting process that saw judges work their way through hundreds of entries, Brisbane’s Coffee Mentality has taken home the prestigious Champion Coffee title.

For a nation that prides itself on its caffeine culture, the result is as much a victory for local Brisbane coffee producers as it is for the daily coffee drinkers who demand nothing but the best.

The blend that impressed the judges

Coffee being poured by man with tattoos.
Coffee Mentality’s Auditory blend was crowned Champion Coffee. (Image: Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash)

Judges described the winning coffee as rich, complex and beautifully balanced, the kind of brew that lingers long after the last sip. Coffee Mentality’s Auditory blend stood out from a field of more than 1600 entries across 72 classes, a reminder that great coffee is as much about craftsmanship as it is about beans.

The Sydney Royal Fine Food Show is known for its rigorous standards and has become one of the most respected platforms for producers to prove their worth. To take out the top coffee prize is to declare yourself the leader of a nation that lives and breathes cafe culture.

Unlike international competitions, where beans can be sourced from anywhere, the Sydney Royal awards put a strong focus on Australian produce. All entries must contain at least 85 per cent Australian ingredients. Coffee Mentality’s win is therefore not just about flavour, but also about the rise of locally grown beans and the roasters who are finding new ways to showcase them.

Other winners worth celebrating

Coffee being poured with latte art
All entries must contain at least 85 per cent Australian ingredients. (Image: Fahmi Fakhrudin / Unsplash)

While coffee took the headline, it was just one part of a showcase that celebrated the diversity of Australian food and drink. Rice Culture was named Champion Drink for its Organic Black Koji Amazake, a fermented rice drink that reflects the growing popularity of craft non-alcoholic beverages.

Slowbreads Roseville impressed again with its Fig, Cranberry and Walnut Sourdough, taking home the Champion Sourdough title. The PieFather in Rosebery made headlines of its own by winning Champion Pie with the quirky but delicious MickTaco pie. Mandolé Orchard continued its dominance in the Champion Plant-Based Product category with its Honey Almond Butter, showing that nut spreads can be every bit as decadent as traditional dairy.

Meat lovers were also well represented. Stockyard Beef was declared Grand Champion Beef Exhibit for its Stockyard Black, while Millin’s Free Range Butcher won Champion Fresh Sausage with its beef Philly cheesesteak sausages. These winners highlight the breadth of Australia’s food scene, from boutique producers experimenting with new flavours to established names pushing boundaries in traditional categories.

So, while a humble cup of coffee might be the headline act, the bigger story is the creativity, dedication and innovation running through every part of Australia’s food industry. Whether you are chasing the perfect morning brew, hunting down sourdough with a twist or curious enough to try a pie inspired by tacos, the 2025 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show has made one thing clear. The best flavours of Australia are being created right now, and they are worth every sip and every bite.

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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6 of Australia’s best destinations to recharge in nature

(Credit: Hilton Cairns)

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    From coast to coast and everywhere in between, our collective backyard offers unforgettable nature experiences for every kind of traveller.

    Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or prefer to while away the day at the beach, Australia has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world (and some epic Hilton stays to return to after each day of exploring). Slow down, breathe in, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, and these destinations are perfect for a nature escape.

    1. Albany, WA

    Aerial view of travellers exploring Granite Skywalk, located within Porongurup National Park.
    Climb the Granite Skywalk fora unique nature experience. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Albany, in regional Western Australia, is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its dramatic, rocky coastline and endless swathes of white-sand beaches. Explore it all from Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with a gorgeous waterfront location and close proximity to some of the most iconic natural landscapes.

    Head to Torndirrup National Park, where you can venture out onto a see-through platform to watch the waves batter the shoreline below – if you dare. Further north, marvel at Porongurup National Park’s Castle Rock, an imposing granite range over a million years old that you can scale via the Granite Skywalk.

    Between May and December, Albany becomes a whale watchers’ paradise as humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales journey north towards the Kimberley. Pack your binoculars; there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the shore.

    2. Alice Springs, NT

    views of the MacDonnell Ranges DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs
    Return from your explorations to enjoy views of the MacDonnell Ranges.

    Surrounded by dusty red desert, rolling spinifex dunes, and eerie ghost gums, Alice Springs sits upon a landscape so unique it’s otherworldly. From here, plan a day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can take in the unrivalled majesty of Uluru. While there, check out The Olgas, a cluster of 36 impressive rock formations perfect for hiking. Walking trails offer a mix of easy strolls and trickier hikes that wind through gorges and creek beds.

    Other bucket-list-worthy experiences in the area include Stanley Chasm Angkerle Antwatye in the MacDonnell Ranges, best seen at midday for a spectacular view of the sun passing through its crevice, and the rim walk at King’s Canyon, which will leave you feeling breathless as you take in views of the desert from the top of 300m high sandstone walls.

    Nestled on the banks of the Todd River with views of the MacDonnell Ranges, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs offers the ideal spot to relax and recharge after a day of adventuring.

    3. Busselton, WA

    Busselton Jetty, Busselton
    Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    For a deeply relaxing nature getaway, look no further than Busselton. This charming seaside city is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, where you’ll find no shortage of lush greenery, winding coastlines and unique marine life. Start the day with a stroll and a swim at Busselton or Dunsborough beach, and plan for a sunset walk along the Geographe Bay Foreshore to drink in the changing light. How’s the serenity?

    If you’re visiting Busselton in Spring, don’t skip a nature walk through Ambergate Nature Reserve, which is bursting with wildflowers of every colour once the weather begins to warm.

    A stay at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts the Margaret River region on your doorstep. Sitting on the pristine shores of Geographe Bay, it’s just a handful of steps from Busselton Jetty and underwater observatory, where you can see the vibrant marine life up close without getting wet.

    4. Cairns, Qld

    view from a room at Hilton Cairns
    Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

    There’s no shortage of natural wonders to marvel at from Cairns. Get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife by diving or snorkelling through Australia’s underwater playground, the world-heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

    Head away from the shore to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving rainforest and home to iconic fauna like the cassowary, as well as infamous plants like the Stinging Tree.

    Wherever you go, Hilton Cairns or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns make the perfect home base for a Cairns adventure. Both sit so close to the ferry terminal to get out on the reef, and offer easy access to dining and bar options to top off an amazing day.

    5. Darwin, NT

    two people floating in Florence Falls, Litchfield
    Explore Litchfield National Park’s beautiful swimming holes. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Safari Global)

    Australia’s northernmost city has plenty to offer nature lovers. Day trip to Litchfield National Park and hear the thunderous roar of Florence Falls, take in the mangroves at Charles Darwin National Park, or head to Mary River Wetlands to marvel at the rare birdlife that call the wetlands home.

    You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Darwin, with  Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin and Hilton Garden Inn Darwin all providing excellent access to the city’s natural attractions (and a leisurely pool to cool off in after a day in the sun). Meet the top end’s most famous (and infamous) animal inhabitants at Territory Wildlife Park, or take a leisurely stroll through George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

    6. Gold Coast, Qld

    Hilton Surfers Paradise
    Stay at the iconic Surfers Paradise.

    It might be known for being a literal paradise for surfers – it’s in the name, after all – but there’s more to the Gold Coast than initially meets the eye. Check into Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences to take advantage of direct access to iconic beaches, coastal wildlife and the best of Surfers Paradise.

    But the hotel is also an easy drive away from the world-heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, a hinterland treasure teeming with walking trails. Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the local food producers that abound in the Gold Coast hinterland.

    Start planning your next nature escape at hilton.com.