9 irresistible food and wine getaways in Australia

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From celebrations of bounty in beachside locales to culinary experiences in remote reaches, let food and wine be your guide to extraordinary places.

1. Treat yourself at Pair’d in Margaret River, WA

Travelling with: Fleur Bainger

Pair’d is Margaret River on very classy steroids. The new wine festival marries the magic of tall karri tree forests with the purity of maritime breezes over vineyards – and provides that extra nudge you need to book a weekend away. The inaugural 2024 event saw former Noma head chef (and Margaret River resident) Ben Ing rub shoulders with Blur bassist Alex James (who spun a sunset soundtrack as crayfish rolls were served on the sand), along with Burnt Ends’ Dave Pynt and Attica’s Ben Shewry. The festival celebrates WA’s bounty, such as crayfish, and is one of the state’s most coveted foodie events.

plated crayfish at Pair’d, Margaret River
The festival celebrates WA’s bounty, such as crayfish.

2. Hop between two of SA’s top wine regions

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

Compare tasting notes of two of the country’s best wine regions during the ultimate indulgent weekend. Stop by McLaren Vale first, with a Small Batch Wine Tour and a few nights at Beresford Estate. Request a visit to the historic cottage that houses Sherrah Wines, Bondar Wines and Lino Ramble, where you can meet the winemakers themselves. Ninety minutes away in the Barossa Valley, add Alkina Wines and Langmeil Winery to big-name estates, such as Seppeltsfield and Penfolds, before retreating to your eco-friendly accommodation at The Villas.

an aerial view of Lino Ramble
Sherrah Wines, Bondar Wines and Lino Ramble are housed inside a historic cottage.

3. Wild feasts in Kakadu National Park, NT

Travelling with: Imogen Eveson

Hungering for adventure? Head north to join a culinary safari hosted by acclaimed chef James Viles at luxury lodge Bamurru Plains on the fringes of Kakadu National Park. Wild Tastes of the Top End invites guests to forage and tuck into curated menus starring native ingredients and locally sourced produce (think wild duck, buffalo rib, threadfin salmon and crocodile) distinct to this unique Australian ecosystem. Or time your Top End visit for Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu – Taste of Kakadu , the ultimate bush food experience.

Wild Tastes of the Top End, Kakadu National Park
A hands-on culinary experience at Wild Tastes of the Top End.

4. Dive into the Sunshine Coast’s Curated Plate, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The Curated Plate draws foodies from around Australia for its annual 10-day celebration of culinary excellence on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The program includes pop-up panels, cooking demos, workshops, farm tours and one-of-a-kind feasts. This year, the debut of Mooloolaba’s Seafood Series sees fresh, sustainable and wild-caught seafood highlighted through events such as a First Nations-themed seafood experience with Saltwater Eco Tours and a Grape vs Grain degustation at Fish on Parkyn.

a Grape vs Graindegustation at Fish on Parkyn
A Grape vs Grain degustation at Fish on Parkyn.

5. Silversea’s S.A.L.T. program

Travelling with: Quentin Long

If travel is about special moments, then this is certainly one for the history books. Analiese Gregory, formerly of Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris and Quay in Sydney, is considered to be one of Australia’s most interesting chefs. Gregory recently teamed up with fellow Huon Valley local and food stylist Michelle Crawford to deliver an extravagant five-course lunch for the lucky ducks onboard Silversea’s Silver Nova.

the Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program
The S.A.L.T. program delivers exclusive food and wine experiences on land and at sea.

Hosted at Crawford’s studio, event space and B&B, The Bowmont, it was an exquisite affair, starting with platters of Tasmanian seafood stacked high with oysters, lobster, periwinkles, kingfish ceviche and locally harvested vegetables fashioned into crudites. Gregory toiled over a fire in the garden to produce scallops with wakame butter, grilled octopus and a leg of local lamb. A whopping trifle was wheeled out to finish off the feast. The lunch was part of Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which delivers exclusive food and wine experiences on land and at sea.

scallops cooked over the fire, Silversea’s S.A.L.T. program
Scallops over a fire. (Image: Quentin Long)

6. National Wine Festival of Australia, ACT

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Raise a glass to the inaugural National Wine Festival of Australia , designed to showcase wines produced by some of the country’s most talented viticulturalists. The festival marks the 50th birthday of the National Wine Show of Australia and is set to attract everyone from glass-half-full travellers to serious oenophiles. The program will include masterclasses on everything from a beginner’s guide to wine tasting to Australian sparkling. Extend your stay to explore the scores of vineyards on Canberra’s doorstep, such as Brindabella Hills Winery .

the Brindabella Hills Winery, Canberra
The scenic Brindabella Hills Winery is set over a granite ridge. (Image: Tourism Australia/Martin Ollman)

7. Newcastle is NSW’s newest dining destination

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Bistro Penny, Frenchie, Susuru, Meat & Grain Steakhouse, The Del, LOLAS, Crumb and Roxanne are all new places to pin to your map app on your next visit to Newcastle. While most of the NSW city’s hotspots are showcased during its annual Newcastle Food Month in April, you can still build your own itinerary and connect the dots between venues such as Humbug, Flotilla, Jana and Elementa, all of which position Newie as an epicurean escape.

the food at Humbug, Newcastle
Humbug is renowned for Italian-leaning fare with Asian accents. (Image: Dom Cherry)

8. Visit the highest wine-growing region in the country, Qld

Travelling with: Lara Picone

Be blown off the course of the usual Queensland itinerary by exploring the highest wine-growing region in the country. Meander between wineries, quaffing well-crafted and rare drops in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt, less than three hours south-west of Brisbane. There’s still shiraz and the like, but you’ll also find almost every cellar door – such as Balancing Heart Vineyard – decanting a much scarcer saperavi, fiano or carménère. Stay in a Girraween Environmental Lodge bush chalet, surrounded by Girraween National Park.

wine tasting at Balancing Heart Vineyard
Raise a glass or two over the glorious vines at Balancing Heart Vineyard.

9. Mark your calendar for Orange F.O.O.D Week, NSW

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The charming heritage town of Orange is surrounded by cool-climate vineyards and rolling farmland. The region is home to Australia’s longest-running food festival, Orange F.O.O.D Week (held annually in autumn), which includes highlights such as the Hillside Harvest lunch. All up, the region has more than 80 vineyards and over 30 cellar doors. It’s also considered one of the jewels of the NSW Central West for its abundance of boutique stays. The town is buttressed by Mt Canobolas, which attracts hikers, birdwatchers and nature lovers.

a plate of food at Orange F.O.O.D Week
Farm-fresh local produce is the highlight of lunch at the Orange F.O.O.D Week. (Image: Kirsten Cunningham Photography)
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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

    Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

    From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

    Why Silversea?

    Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

    Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

    silversea cruise ship pool deck
    Take a dip in the pool deck.

    1. Koolama Bay

    ​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

    Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

    King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
    Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

    2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

    Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

    Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

    welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
    Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

    Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

    The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

    aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
    Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    4. Horizontal Falls

    Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

    With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

    Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
    Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    5. Montgomery Reef

    As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

    The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

    Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

    aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
    Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

    6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

    Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

    One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

    Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

    aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
    See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

    The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

    Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

    Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

    Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
    Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com