The best food and wine road trips in Australia

Some road trips lead to the most memorable food and wine experiences in Australia. Foodies, take note.

Here are 11 of Australia’s best food-and-wine-focused road trips to inspire you from our special 100 Amazing Road Trips around Australia series.

Food and wine road trips

Hunter Valley winery trail, NSW
Noosa Country Drive, Qld
The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail
Melbourne to Macedon Ranges, Vic
Melbourne to Gippsland, Vic
Adelaide to Barossa Valley, SA
Orange winery trail, NSW
Adelaide to McLaren Vale, SA
Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast
Sydney to Canberra via Yass
Margaret River region, WA

84. Hunter Valley winery trail, NSW

Its vast rolling landscape has been cultivated for wine production since the early 19th century, making the Hunter Valley the country’s oldest wine region. Home to 150-plus wineries (including Dalwood Estate , the ‘birthplace of Hunter Valley wine’), this picturesque region is also renowned for its excellent dining, making it a satiating road trip for the eyes and stomach. Venture beyond the main hub of Pokolbin (home to highly acclaimed Brokenwood Wines and two-hatted Muse Restaurant ) to the lesser visited regions of Broke and Wollombi for a slower-paced journey through countryside dotted with farm gates touting produce, historic buildings and quaint towns, and boutique cellar doors that you’ll likely have to yourself.

Chief Winemaker Stuart Hordern, Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin, NSW, Australia — Sample wines from the country’s oldest wine region, Hunter Valley. (Image: Destination NSW)

Distance:

85 kilometres round trip from Pokolbin.

Stay:

Redleaf, set on 40 hectares near Wollombi, is a charming Italian-style manor that sleeps 12.

Words by Megan Arkinstall

85. Noosa Country Drive, Qld

Just like the quandong gin and lavender vodka being poured at 2020 Distillery in Cooroy, a journey through the pastoral folds inland from Noosa Heads distils the creative essence of the hinterland. How about gin blended with hopped H2O, being poured at the bar at Pomona Distilling Co? Or a frosty local from the iconic Kin Kin Hotel , which is currently undergoing a significant renovation? Sniff, swirl, sip, then snooze in sustainable luxury at Mayan Farm – the rammed-earth villas at the working farm run by Slow Food ambassador Jodie Williams in Kin Kin.

Distance

89.5 kilometres

Aerial view of Noosa Country Drive, QLD, Australia — Saunter along the Noosa Country Drive to try different pubs and restaurants. (Image: Destination NSW)

Words by Celeste Mitchell

86. The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail

Though you may need to nominate someone else as the designated driver for this journey, those with a passion for handcrafted tipples can make this the driving force behind a trip around Tassie. The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail links the island state’s artisan distillers, from trailblazer Lark Distillery in Hobart to Australia’s southernmost whisky distillery McHenry on the Tasman Peninsula , to Southern Wild, Tasmania’s newest gin distillery, on the wild north coast.

Tassie Whiskey Trail — Those with a passion for handcrafted tipples should make their way to Tassie. (Image: Destination NSW)

Distance:

380 kilometres north to south.

Stay:

Spend the night in the Devil’s Lair Cabin on site at McHenry Distillery for a whisky nightcap washed down with a side of dark sky stargazing from an observatory inside a converted barley silo.

87. Melbourne to Macedon Ranges, Vic

This is more multi-weekend treasure hunt than one-off Saturday spin (unless you want to bunch brunch and lunch). It seems every small-town bakery in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges and its peripheries lays claims to having ‘the best’ baked good of some variety, be it pie or sourdough.

Best selling baked goods, Macedon Ranges, Australia — Every small-town bakery in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges has baked goods worth trying. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Brothers Ryan and Chan Khun from Kyneton’s Country Cob Bakery regularly sweep the board at Australia’s Best Pie Competition. Trentham’s RedBeard is so confident of its natural wild yeasts and lactose bacteria that it offers sourdough making workshops. North-west of the ranges, the Bridgewater Bakehouse has won the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph twice (2018 and 2019). Towns like Woodend and Lancefield are just two more towns worth a sweet little pit stop.

Interiors of RedBeard Bakery, Trentham, Australia — Trentham’s RedBeard offers sourdough making workshops. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Distance:

90 kilometres one way from Melbourne (route dependent).

Words by Steve Madgwick

88. Melbourne to Gippsland, Vic

You’ll find good food without much fanfare in egalitarian Gippsland. Take the M1 south from Melbourne towards Lang Lang’s Howler Brewing Company for next-level burgers and brews. Further south, Inverloch’s Dirty Three Wines offers top drops. Visit Prom Country Cheese in Moyarra and overnight in Meeniyan, known for its annual garlic festival. The next day, take the windy-yet-wondrous Grand Ridge Road to Warragul to browse the farmers market or splash out on the six-course tasting menu at Hogget Kitchen. Go out with a bang at Farmer’s Daughters , a landmark Melbourne eatery that champions Gippsland producers.

Platter from Dirty Three Wines, Gippsland, Australia — Inverloch’s Dirty Three Wines offers top drops.

Distance:

372 kilometres round trip.

Stay:

Ross Farm’s stripped-back aesthetic is just the tonic.

Ross Farm, Interiors, Victoria, Australia — Guests love Ross Farm’s stripped-back aesthetic. (Image: Lachlan Moore)

Words by Jo Stewart

89. Adelaide to Barossa Valley, SA

Hit the road northeast from Adelaide to indulge in some of Australia’s most renowned food and wine experiences, beginning at the western end of the Seppeltsfield Road precinct with its striking Avenue of Palms crying out to be cruised along. This five-kilometre trail of Canary Island date palms that now number more than 2000 was originally planted by Seppeltsfield workers during the Great Depression; visit the historic winery today to taste your birth year’s tawny, have lunch at destination diner Fino or even swap four wheels for two on a vineyard Segway tour. Other nearby epicurean highlights include Appellation and Hentley Farm restaurants and Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop . If this only whets your appetite for more, embark on the Epicurean Way: a decadent road trip through South Australia’s four iconic wine regions.

Landscape view of vineyards, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia — Indulge in some of Australia’s most renowned food and wine experiences.

Distance:

Adelaide to Seppeltsfield Road is 80 kilometres.

Stay:

In the heart of the Seppeltsfield Road precinct, The Villas – Barossa provides an architecturally striking and environmentally sensitive base for road-tripping the region.

90. Orange winery trail, NSW

An easy meander from Sydney – four hours’ drive over the mountains and onto the Central Tablelands – a trip to Orange and its bucolic surrounds is the stuff long weekends are made of. This dynamic regional city blends heritage and the fruits of its rich volcanic soils with more than a dash of the new to create exceptional food and wine experiences.

Bottles of Wine from Nashdale Lane, Nashdale, NSW, Australia — Find boutique family-owned wineries like Nashdale Lane (Image: Destination NSW)

Base yourself in its heritage heart (check out Yallungah Boutique Hotel or The White Place ) and spend your days on country drives to villages such as Nashdale, where you’ll find boutique family-owned wineries Nashdale Lane and Printhie Wines ; historic Molong, home to cellar doors including the eclectic Heifer Station Wines ; and Millthorpe, with its destination fine diner Tonic. But if you’re still in the mood for more, there are plenty more wineries to visit in Orange, and breweries and distilleries.

Distance:

256 kilometres

Countryside Canowindra, NSW, Australia — Base yourself in its heritage heart and spend your days on country drives to vineyards. (Image: Destination NSW)

91. Adelaide to McLaren Vale, SA

The Saturday farmers market in Willunga packs up at noon, but even after a sleep-in and a crossword I still arrive with time to spare thanks to the wormhole-like Southern Expressway that whisks me through Adelaide’s southern suburbs to McLaren Vale. Growers and makers of every type cram into the local schoolyard, and I follow my nose (and the crowds) to the toastie stall for a gooey late breakfast.

Fresh green pears from Willunga Farmers Market — Grab some fresh pears at Wilunga Farmers Market. (Image: Karen Walker)

The friendly community vibe continues five minutes away at the McMurtrie Road ‘share house’, where three fabulous smaller wineries (Lino Ramble , Bondar Wines and Sherrah Wines ) have a room each. Continuing east, the sea of vines parts as if for Moses and reveals a path to Gemtree Wines’ solar-powered cellar door where perfumed biodynamic grenache vies for my attention with glorious views out towards a sea the colour of Peter O’Toole’s eyes.

A tasting at Gemtree Wines, South Australia, Australia — Go on a tasting at Gemtree Wines. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Distance:

100 kilometres round trip.

Stay:

Lean into slow living at CABN X William, located between Gemtree’s vineyards and thick bush.

Words by Alexis Buxton-Collins

92. Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast

In the aftermath of the Black Summer fires, friends Erin Boutros and Eleanor Baillieu started an Instagram account to remind their friends and followers to visit affected areas and shop local in the hope of helping communities recover. They called it @emptyesky, and a grassroots food and tourism movement was born. The idea of grabbing an empty esky and filling it with produce and products from Nowra to Kangaroo Island to Gippsland quickly caught on, with organised tours by the likes of AAT Kings making it even easier to get involved.

Class at Eastwood's Deli and Cooking School, NSW, Australia — Learn from the pros at Eastwood’s Deli and Cooking School (Image: Destination NSW)

Then the pandemic struck and the movement was forced into iso like everyone else. But with regions and borders now open, and with a lot of recovery still to be done, charting one of Empty Esky’s self-drive itineraries is the ultimate altruistic adventure. May we suggest the four-day Best Regional Donut drive, starting in Melbourne and tracking along the coast through Morwell (Powerhouse Donuts) and Lakes Entrance (Big Bear Donuts ), onto Bermagui (Eastwood’s ), Berry (The Famous Berry Donut Van – an Australian Traveller favourite) and the Central Coast (Daily Dough Co ) in NSW, and finishing off in Buderim (Dough Ho) on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. Local communities and your taste buds will thank you (if not your waistline).

Box of doughnuts from The Famous Berry Donut Van, NSW, Australia — The Famous Berry Donut Van is a crowd favourite. (Image: Destination NSW)

Distance:

2075 kilometres

Stay:

There’s nothing more satisfying on a long drive than pulling into a roadside motel, and all the better if it has classic mid-20th century bones and a seriously modern refit. Case in point: The Berry View, with its signature 1950s long-slung style now enhanced by joyful shots of orange and a classic Palm Springs-esque aesthetic.

Interiors, Berry View Hotel, NSW, Australia — With its signature 1950s long-slung style, you’re in for a stylish stay at the Berry View Hotel. (Image: Destination NSW)

93. Sydney to Canberra via Yass

The drive from Sydney to Canberra possesses many side trip opportunities, including the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan near Campbelltown or the loveliness of the towns and villages of the Southern Highlands (seriously consider stopping at Bendooley Estate in Berrima for lunch along the way), but continuing on the Hume Motorway towards Yass is the most rewarding long-way-round proposition.

Bendooley Estate in Berrima, NSW, Australia — Have lunch at Bendooley Estate in Berrima. (Image: Destination NSW)

Driving down the main street of this big country town, its former prosperity, built on the sheep’s back, is writ large in the grandiose heritage buildings that line it on both sides: grab coffee at Cafe Dolcetto or Trader & Co and take a stroll. Heading out of town will take you through cold-climate wine country along the Barton Highway before delivering you onto Canberra’s wide boulevards at journey’s end.

Distance:

340 kilometres.

Stay:

Little National Hotel Canberra in the suburb of Barton does pint-sized with sleek aplomb.

Stopover during The drive from Sydney to Canberra, Australia — There are plenty of side trip opportunities on the drive from Sydney to Canberra (Image: Destination NSW)

94. Margaret River region, WA

It’s time to get a bit funky in the Margaret River region along the Lo-Fi Wine Trail, where you will find legendary winemakers dedicated to producing low-intervention wines. Taste lesser-known varietals at the Blind Corner , Goon Tycoons and Stormflower Vineyard .

Vineyards in Margaret River, WA, Australia — Find legendary winemakers dedicated to producing low-intervention wines. (Image: Frances Adrijich)

Intrepid oenophiles will also enjoy world-class wineries and stunning district views along the Tom Cullity Drive where Dr Tom Cullity planted the first vines at Vasse Felix in 1967. Restock your esky at the Providore Margaret River and Margaret River Chocolate Company and find a spot to set up a picnic and enjoy a spread of local ingredients. Supplement your itinerary with a few wildflower walks, hikes through national parks and swims in sheltered bays.

Lunch menu at Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA, Australia — Have lunch at Vasse Felix in Margaret River. (Image: Stefan Gosatti)

Distance:

The Lo-Fi Wine Trail stretches for about 20 kilometres, while Tom Cullity Drive includes eight wineries dotted along five kilometres of Margaret River’s backroads.

Keep reading our special Top 100 Road Trips in Australia editorial series.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

Some road trips lead to the most memorable food and wine experiences in Australia. Foodies, take note.

Food and wine road trips

84. Hunter Valley winery trail, NSW

Distance:

Stay:

85. Noosa Country Drive, Qld

Distance

86. The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail

Distance:

Stay:

87. Melbourne to Macedon Ranges, Vic

Distance:

88. Melbourne to Gippsland, Vic

Distance:

Stay:

89. Adelaide to Barossa Valley, SA

Distance:

Stay:

90. Orange winery trail, NSW

Distance:

91. Adelaide to McLaren Vale, SA

Distance:

Stay:

92. Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast

Distance:

Stay:

93. Sydney to Canberra via Yass

Distance:

Stay:

94. Margaret River region, WA

Distance:

Keep reading our special Top 100 Road Trips in Australia editorial series.

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From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

1. Gosford’s glow up

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

3. New Central Coast experiences

4. Central Coast accommodation

5. Shopping on the Central Coast