9 of the best emerging food and wine experiences in Australia

hero media
There are endless ways to enjoy a taste of Australia, be it a fine diner in Murwillumbah or a plate of pipis on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Journey with our writers as they take you into Australia’s best emerging food and wine experiences from our 100 Emerging Destinations and Experiences series.

1. Emerging flavours in Murwillumbah

Travelling with: Lara Picone

There’s something wonderful about watching a town unfurl its potential to become a destination. Gaining confidence in assets overlooked and coaxing out their dormant beauty. Murwillumbah in NSW is a place amid such an evolution.

A hinterland jewel shouldered by ranges of subtropical Gondwana Rainforest, punctuated by mighty Wollumbin/Mt Warning and running to the coast across a carpet of cane fields, this Tweed Shire town has been timidly emerging from its agricultural cocoon for years.

a scenic view of the Mighty Wollumbin/Mt Warning
Catch views of the Mighty Wollumbin/Mt Warning. (Image: Destination NSW)

Emergence involves a chain reaction that typically dominoes in order of art, food and tourists. Murwillumbah has long had the art. The Tweed River Art Gallery began luring aesthetes back in 1988. By 2004, it required bigger digs in an architecturally celebrated new building, becoming the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. Artists and appreciators congregated in greater numbers and other galleries sprang up, including the M|Arts Precinct.

Creativity prospers because Murwillumbah is a muse. The Art Deco town sits between lush mountain ranges and the elegant Tweed River. She was slumped in disrepair for a long while, but she’s been attracting attention in the last few years. Some of which has come from chefs and restaurateurs lured by Northern Rivers produce and untapped potential. Adding to the noteworthy restaurants rapidly amassing on the Tweed Coast such as Pipit, Paper Daisy and No. 35 Kitchen and Bar, Murwillumbah is plating up fare worth travelling for.

a chair and table at Bistro Livi
Nab a seat at the intimate hatted restaurant Bistro Livi.

Awarded a chef’s hat in the SMH Good Food Guide 2023 edition, Bistro Livi is a sleek 36-seater in the M|Arts Precinct run by MoVida alumni. The minimalist aesthetic, sophisticated food and considered wine list wouldn’t be out of place in Melbourne, but instead is here.

Just south of the town centre and majestically presiding over the river is the impeccably restored Tweed River House, where diners watch the water as they move through elegant courses in the British Raj-styled manor. And Husk Farm Distillery celebrates the primary crop of the area, crafting beautiful rum from sugar cane.

cocktail drinks at Husk Farm Distillery
Sip cocktails at Husk Farm Distillery. (Image: @SalsingHPhotography)

It’s in nearby Tumbulgum where you can stretch out on the lawn for an afternoon of nibbles and tipples at its cellar door. You’ll also find excellent coffee at Keith, locally made cheeses from Kat Harvey Cheese and craft beer at Spangled Drongo to fuel your artful pursuits.

a plate filled of cheese by Kat Harvey
Try hand-crafted cheeses by Kat Harvey.

If you want to lean into more active adventures, head to the newly opened Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The trail kicks off in Murwillumbah before weaving for 24 blissful kilometres through the Tweed Valley, casting another lure in this riverside town on the runway to revival.

the interior of Spangled Drongo
Get your craft beer fix at Spangled Drongo.

2. See a 10,000-year-old tradition evolving in Goolwa

Travelling with: Alexis Buxton-Collins

The middens dotting the sandhills around the mouth of the Murray River attest to the importance of kuti (pipis) to the Ngarrindjeri people, who have harvested and eaten these plump bivalves for countless generations. And after dismissing them as bait for years, chefs of fine diners are finally cottoning on to their potential. In a small shed flanked by colossal dunes on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, battered by the winds coming off the Southern Ocean, Kuti Shack heroes the tasty molluscs harvested by Ngarrindjeri-owned Kuti Co by serving them in laksas and with decadently rich chilli jam, lemongrass and crusty sourdough.

a table top view of the meals at Kuti Shack
Indulge in a seafood feast at the Kuti Shack. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism)

Look further down the menu and you’ll find all the elements for a sustainable seafood feast with a strong emphasis on local species: think grilled wild-caught Coorong mullet, buttermilk fried mulloway wings and crispy carp belly goujons.

a dining setup overlooking the sea at Kuti Shack
Dine while overlooking the vast seascape. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism)

3. A new way to savour the Bellarine Peninsula

Travelling with: Laura Waters

They’re a passionate bunch on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, producing everything from hand-crafted butter to smoked fish, olive oil and award-winning wines. Their mussels are so lauded they’ve landed in top restaurants around the world and now, fourth-generation farmer Lance Wiffen and wife Lizzie are lifting the veil with Portarlington Mussel Tours .

a hand holding mussels at The Bellarine Peninsula
See how mussels are harvested at The Bellarine Peninsula.

No expense has been spared in the refit of Valerie, a 40-year-old Huon pine trawler: the galley gleams, the fridge stocked with Bellarine sparkling. It’s perfect for an intimate tour that shows how mussels are cultivated, pulled off the lines, cleaned and most importantly, prepared.

Lizzie is a mussel master and guests get to enjoy the results of her cooking demonstration alongside a spread of other local produce. It’s an immersive way to savour one of the Bellarine’s gastronomic treasures, straight from the source.

guests during the Portarlington Mussel Tour
Sign up for the Portarlington Mussel Tours.

4. A gourmet escape to the Granite Belt

Travelling with: Lara Picone

It’s not quite often Queensland springs to mind when hunting an intimate oenophilic escape. The Sunshine State is usually called upon for its sun-bleached beaches. But, let us shake the snow globe of your expectations for a moment and allow the sparkles to settle on Stanthorpe in Queensland’s Granite Belt. Here you can hop between cellar doors, dine on incredible local produce, hunt for truffles, ogle blossoms, marvel at sculptural rock formations and even sleep in a wine barrel (yes!).

a man sitting on a tree branch facing the sunrise
Witness scenic sunrise views.

Astonishingly, the region is one of Australia’s highest wine-growing locales. Punctuated by the natural beauty of Girraween National Park and the agrarian charm of vineyards and apple orchards, Stanthorpe is a destination worthy of far more attention than it reaps.

New and noteworthy for your maiden itinerary is the previously mentioned Barrel View Luxury Cabins , which indeed look like giant, luxury wooden wine barrels. Add to that a sip at the new Art of Krupinski cellar door; a hunt for a French Perigord truffle at The Folly Truffles; and a class at Cooked from Scratch Cooking School, and you have the makings of mini-break heaven.

view of the Barrel View Luxury Cabins
The Barrel View Luxury Cabins are inspired by wooden wine barrels.

5. Canberra Wine District: a new stomping ground for oenophiles

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

There are just too many cellar doors to squeeze into a weekend stay in the Canberra Wine District. Luckily, this year’s inaugural Stomp Festival made inroads into addressing this dilemma by showcasing more than 25 wineries and producers. Missed the 29–30 April event? No biggie. Just pore over the program and use it as a starting point to inspire your own itinerary. Book a table at Agostinis at Lark Hill , built into the side of Lake George Escarpment.

a stack of wine barrels in Canberra Wine District
Plot a winery trail through Canberra’s wine region.

Grasp the allure of the region’s cool-climate syrah during a tasting at Eden Road Wines . Or order a tutored tasting at Mount Majura Vineyard and pop into boutique Dionysus Winery.

The Canberra region is divided into three distinct subregions, so be sure to book a few return visits to check out the 140-plus vineyards that make up this exciting cool-climate district.

an overhead shot of the vineyards at Canberra Wine District
Don’t expect to see it all in one visit – there are over 140 vineyards.

6. Wine meets sustainability in South Australia

Travelling with: Kate Symons

Google ‘Jock Harvey’ and ‘McLaren Vale’ and a defining quality of this community-minded local becomes quickly apparent. Jock wears many hats. As uncovered by the first three Google entries – McLaren Vale Distillery, Naked Wines and Chalk Hill Viticulture – he is a drinks guy. Scroll down a little further and there is another, perhaps even more telling, entry: Biodiversity McLaren Vale.

Co-founded by Jock in 2009, Biodiversity McLaren Vale (BMV) is a hands-on environmental stewardship initiative, run by volunteers and focused primarily on creek-line restoration. Monthly working bees attract scores of committed locals and planting partners include McLaren Vale wine brands Gemtree, Shingleback, Fox Creek, Bec Hardy and Pannell Enoteca.

a wine shack at Gemtree Wines
Drop by Gemtree Wines for a tasting. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

As South Australia’s first wine region – its wine-producing history dates to the 1830s – McLaren Vale is hardly emerging. Yet the renowned patch, positioned on the Fleurieu Peninsula, has reinvented itself of late and is now firmly established as one of the country’s most sustainable, not to mention incredible, wine regions.

According to Wine Australia, McLaren Vale is leading the way in organic practices, water management and climate-appropriate plantings, all key areas of the region’s own Sustainable Australia Winegrowing (SAW) Program. SAW ran from the early 2000s until 2019 at which point 72 per cent of McLaren Vale’s area under vine used the program to assess and improve practices. Thanks to its success, the program informed Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA), which is now the single national program for those committed to sustainable wine.

Interior of Hither & Yon in McLaren Vale
Hither & Yon has cleverly set up shop in Willunga, one of the region’s cute-as-you-like villages. (Image: Josie Withers)

Crucial to the region’s success is the presence of like-minded wine folk. “Cooperation has become a cultural thing [in McLaren Vale] that people want to protect," says Jock.

Sustainable winemaking practices are becoming more and more important to the consumer. A new report released by SWA last year found 67 per cent of those surveyed want to purchase only sustainably made wine. It’s no free ride, though. Certifications and credentials can’t do much for an average wine, nor your average wine region. Average, McLaren Vale is not.

There are more than 80 cellar doors in the region, from quaint set-ups such as Samson Tall to established digs such as Wirra Wirra, and the show-stopping d’Arenberg Cube, arguably the most impressive wine tourism attraction in the country.

d'Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale
See the show-stopping d’Arenberg Cube. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/ d’Arenberg Cube)

The Chalk Hill Collective site, which includes Never Never Distilling Co., Cucina di Strada and some of the best views the region has to offer, is perhaps one of the prettiest spots in the country on which to sit back and sip. Hither & Yon, meanwhile, has cleverly set up shop in Willunga, one of the region’s cute-as-you-like villages. From here, grab a cruiser and set off on the eight-kilometre Shiraz Trail. On Saturdays, the township bustles with the Willunga Farmers Market, the state’s first and still one of the country’s best.

A grape’s throw away, you’ll find yourself facing pristine coastline, of which McLaren Vale has 30 kilometres. This maritime influence has its impact on the region’s wine, which heavily favours red Mediterranean varieties. Almost, that is, as much as it favours sustainable practices.

a bartender serving wine in front of guests at Never Never Distilling Co.
Experience unique wine tasting at Never Never Distilling Co. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

7. Rub shoulders with restaurant royalty in Trentham

Travelling with: Jo Stewart

For a town with a population of about 1000, Trentham’s food scene punches above its weight. From a pub meal by a crackling fireplace at the Cosmopolitan Hotel to a wholesome brunch at Trentham General, the pretty Victorian town just 75 minutes from Melbourne is a tried-and-true foodie escape. It’s now also a place to elevate your kitchen skills, with two highly respected culinary figures sharing their encyclopaedic knowledge with visitors lucky enough to nab a spot in their red-hot classes.

a couple sitting by the fireplace at The Cosmopolitan Hotel - Trentham
Sit by the fireplace at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham. (Image: Rob Black Burn Photography)

Malaysian-born Tony Tan came to Australia as a teenager and made his mark on the gastronomic world by operating restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne, running a cooking school and presenting episodes of SBS-TV’s Food Lovers’ Guide to Australia.

a photo of Malaysian chef Tony Tan
Meet the renowned Malaysian chef Tony Tan. (Image: Mario Schembri)

From his new base in Trentham, his highly sought-after, boutique cooking classes (capped at eight participants) are announced via his mailing list. Tony explains the ethos behind his teachings: “It’s a school of Asian excellence with a certain modernity and personal expressions along the way." Expect to learn the secrets to making the perfect dumpling, sago pudding or radish cake before sitting down at Tony’s dining table to enjoy eight dishes (with wine, of course).

Local restaurateur Annie Smithers also teaches masterclasses sporadically throughout the year. The celebrated chef of du Fermier, owner of Babbington Park farm and champion of regional dining shares her knowledge with a select few via sell-out masterclasses that include a sit-down lunch and wine. Sign up to her mailing list and be ready to pounce once new classes are announced – they book out lightning fast.

pouring red wine into the glass
Make your way through the wine list during your visit. (Image: Rob Black Burn Photography)

8. A taste of Country at Kakadu Full Moon Feast

Travelling with: Elizabeth Whitehead

Indigenous culture is shared through art, landmarks and stories. But what about food? Bininj man Ben Tyler of Kakadu Kitchen is on a mission to “connect people with the flavours of Kakadu and Australia" through native, foraged ingredients artfully woven together to tell a story of Country and tradition.

The Full Moon Feasts hosted at Cooinda Lodge are an opportunity to treat your tastebuds as well as connect with the land you’re on. Each feast is unique, dictated by the Indigenous seasons (there are six in Kakadu) and what plants are in bloom. Right now, the trees are dripping with finger limes, which add a tart pop to the main course – wild-caught barramundi grilled with paperbark. For dessert, lime curd is topped with green ants, delivering a sucker-punch of citrus flavour and rounding out a spectacular meal.

guests having dinner at Kakadu Kitchen
Savour a spectacular meal at Kakadu Kitchen.

9. The country pub revitalising Rockley

Travelling with: Emily Murphy

While the tiny NSW village of Rockley may only have 10 streets and 180 residents, it does, like every Australian town, have a classic country pub. Reopened by chef and restaurateur Matt Moran in 2022, The Rockley Pub is his most personal venue yet.

a photo of chef and restaurateur Matt Moran at Rockley Pub
Meet chef and restaurateur Matt Moran of Rockley Pub.

With family ties to Rockley and his Moran family farm close by, Moran wants to revive the village as a destination in its own right and support local food and wine producers while he’s at it. As a pioneer of the paddock-to-plate movement in Australia, Moran’s menu features locally sourced meat from the Central Tablelands in iconic pub meals such as dry-aged pasture-fed sirloin, parmesan-crumbed chicken schnitzel and mushroom and sage fettuccine.

The pub represents the first stage of his wider plan to reinvigorate the town, a 30-minute drive south of Bathurst, with plans to add a bakery, general store and more accommodation.

a close-up shot of burger and chips at The Rockley
Grab a bite of burger and chips at The Rockley. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Keep reading our 100 Emerging Destinations and Experiences series for more.
hero media

The best summer holiday deals to book right now

The holiday season is creeping up on us and now is the perfect time to book your summer getaway.

Coming up to the end of the year, many of us are dreaming of a break and starting to plan how we spend our precious holiday time. Thankfully, there is a range of accommodation, experience and cruise deals buzzing around the market to help make this time of year even more special.

We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up a range of holiday deals to ensure you have the summer break you deserve. 

Accommodation

Australia: All Accor Hotel Escape Sale

The exterior of 25Hours Hotel Sydney
The newly opened 25hours Hotel The Olympia.

French multinational hospitality company are offering up to 20 per cent off , when you book two nights or more at hotel brands like, Pullman, Peppers, Mantra, Novotel, Mercure and ibis from now until 31 March, 2026. Some of the dreamiest stays include the newly opened 25hrs The Olympia in Sydney, perfect for a summer escape in the city, or Peppers Broadbeach for a coastal getaway.

Bookings: Now until 10 January, 2026

Hamilton Island: The Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and The Sundays

The swimming pool at The Sundays, Hamilton Island
Lock in a stay at the coveted The Sundays, Hamilton Island.

Idyllic Hamilton Island is perfect for family getaways or couples retreats, offering Whitsunday adventures galore. Spend the holiday season in the tropics at one of the island’s best accommodations. Christmas and New Year’s Eve festive packages are available at Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and The Sundays for stays of five nights or more, including December 24 and 25, 2025. 

The Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows are offering deals that combine stay and festive dining, a fantastic value package for families celebrating Christmas on Hamilton Island. The five-night or more package includes Christmas Day buffet lunch, and if you book a Reef Suite or Superior Reef suites, breakfast is also included, plus other standard inclusions. This can save families up to $396 for two adults and two children.  

Want a more luxurious experience? Spending Christmas and/or New Year at The Sundays will be an unforgettable family affair. They are offering a five-night+ package that includes Christmas Day lunch or dinner at Catseye Pool Club, a complimentary glass of champagne, a la carte breakfast daily at Catseye Pool Club, plus standard The Sundays inclusions. You could save up to $365 (based on two adults and one child).

Sydney: Fullerton Sydney

The grand exterior of the Fullerton Sydney
Base yourself in the heart of Sydney.

Those in need of a staycation or wanting to spend the holidays in Sydney should turn their attention to the Fullerton Sydney. The “Love Sydney Today ” package offers a convenient CBD location with several perks, including: Daily breakfast for two, complimentary self-parking for one vehicle, late check-out until 1pm and free breakfast for children up to 12 years old staying in existing bedding. Get in quick though, as the first 100 bookings will also get a A$100 food and beverage dining credit to use during the stay. From $499.

Promotion code: AUSTRAVELLER 

Newcastle: QT Newcastle

A suite at QT Newcastle
Relax in style at QT Newcastle.

Discover charming Newcastle and stay at the city’s premier hotel QT Newcastle with the “Seek Off Beat” promotion. Get 15 per cent off the best available rate for a two-night stay (starting from $255 per person, per night), a $100 food and beverage credit and a late checkout at 12 noon. 

Promotion code: SEEKOFFBEAT

Flinders Ranges: Arkaba Homestead

Arkaba Homestead in the outback
Arkaba is a private wildlife conservancy, and guests can stay in the beautiful homestead.

For the ultimate outback stay, Arkaba Homestead, a wildlife conservancy in South Australia’s picturesque Flinders Ranges, is great for unwinding after the Christmas rush. Enjoy a three-night, all-inclusive summer retreat in the historic homestead with the “Rest, Reset & Reconnect” package , which includes twice-daily guided safaris and bush walks focusing on wildlife and conservation, all meals and beverages and chef-led tastings. Bask in peaceful mountain views, leisure time by the pool and stargazing under the outback sky.

Available from: 27–30 December 2025 (three nights)

Rate: $5,985 per room (twin share) for three nights, at a discounted seasonal rate (saving $1,440).

Gold Coast: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

A room at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Soak up summer on the Gold Coast at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.

Luxury vacationers and families can soak up summer on the Gold Coast with a two-night stay at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. The “Luxury Escape by JW GOLD COAST” package offers a two-night luxury stay in a guest room with a hinterland view, two welcome drinks each upon arrival, buffet breakfast for two at the Citrique restaurant, $50 AUD daily resort credit usable at onsite dining venues, Spa by JW treatments or resort activities and complimentary self-parking.

The “Family Getaway at JW Marriott Gold Coast” package offers a two-night luxury stay in a guest room with a hinterland view, daily buffet breakfast for two adults and two children, daily complimentary children’s meals, complimentary snorkel hire to swim in the resort’s saltwater lagoon and a choice of Family by JW activity, including pizza and sushi making classes and more.

Experiences

Australia: Great Southern Festive Escape 2025

Give yourself the gift of a bucketlist-worthy Christmas onboard a luxury train that traverses Australia’s East Coast. The Great Southern Festive Sale can save travellers up to $1,910 per couple if you book by 30 November 2025. Enjoy private cabins (Gold Twin, Gold Premium, and Platinum classes, each with varying luxury levels), gourmet meals including a fabulous Christmas Day lunch and stops for curated activities outside the train and a city stay in Adelaide. 

Central Coast: Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Summer days call for indulging in fresh oysters, and Broken Bay Pearl Farm is offering 15 per cent off all of their experiences. Located on the stunning Lower Hawkesbury River, browse the selection of locally grown pearls, shells and jewellery, before enjoying some fresh local oysters outside while enjoying the river views. 

Use code: COASTXMAS15

Tasmania: Tarkine and Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain
See Tassie’s most spectacular sites like Cradle Mountain on an Inrepid Travel tour. (Image: Tourism Tasmania)

Intrepid Travel’s six-day guided tour, “Best of Tasmania’s Tarkine & Cradle Mountain “, allows travellers to see Tassie’s most spectacular sites, including the ancient temperate rainforests of the Tarkine and enjoy walks and wildlife in Cradle Mountain National Park. Departing January 4, 2026, the six-day tour includes a local leader, activities, accommodation, transport and some meals, and they’re offering 20 per cent off for a total of $2,716 per person.

Tasmania: Hobart and Launceston

AAT Kings is offering two guided tours through Tasmania to experience the state’s divine national parks and wildlife. The AAT KINGS Tassie’s Wilderness Icons tour runs for six days, five nights from 27 December from Hobart to Launceston, visiting Mt Field, Franklin-Gordon, and Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair. For those seeking a longer getaway, the 10-day, more comprehensive Tasmanian Wonders includes additional destinations. Spot Tassie Devils and penguins, savour fresh seafood and cheese, and explore dramatic mountains and pristine lakes.
Tassie’s Wilderness Icons: $2,979 per person (after 10 per cent off, originally $3,310)
Tasmanian Wonders: $4,667 per person (after 9 per cent off)

Cruising

Sydney: Celebrity Cruises

Kangaroo Island coastline
Discover the picturesque Kangaroo Island. (Image: Frame)

This wine-focused cruise around Australia is designed for travellers who enjoy scenic coastal experiences, fine dining and exploring Australia’s renowned wine regions. The nine-night wine tour departs from 5 January 26, returning 14 January 2026, docking at Hobart, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide and Melbourne. Celebrity Cruises is currently offering up to 75 per cent off the second guest’s fare with rates starting at $4139 per person based on two people sharing an Infinite Veranda stateroom.

Sydney: Silversea

Experience-seeking travellers should turn their attention to the Silversea Sydney–Auckland luxury cruise . Departing just after Christmas, this 13-day cruise suits those seeking a festive yet sophisticated summer escape in the Southern Hemisphere. The itinerary combines coastal scenery, wildlife experiences, art, heritage sites, and nature-focused excursions along Australia’s east coast to Tasmania, then across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. A 20 per cent limited-time discount applies to the All-Inclusive (covers accommodation, meals, drinks, gratuities, most onboard activities) and All-Inclusive Plus (includes everything above plus a US$720 shore-excursion credit per guest to use on tours in each port) fare types. 

Booking code: SN251227013

Sydney to New Zealand: Princess Cruises 14-Day New Zealand Holiday

There is last-minute availability on the Discovery Princess’s 14-day New Zealand cruise over Christmas and New Year (December 20-January 3). It’s the ship’s inaugural season in Australia and New Zealand, and a rare opportunity to board a brand new ship. The 14-day New Zealand Discovery Princess cruise takes travellers to the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Picton, Dunedin and the Fiordland National Park.

Prices start from $4399 per person, including $600 onboard spending money per stateroom.