The 5 best cooking schools in Australia

Looking to hone your prowess in the kitchen or expand your weekly repertoire? Cook away from it all at these beautiful schools with serious culinary chops. From masterclasses with notable chefs to getting your hands dirty in Tasmania, there’s something for every level.

1. The Agrarian Kitchen, Lachlan, Tasmania – for the serious home cook

This truly paddock-to-plate experience is full of roll-your-sleeves-up activity from foraging to cooking and eating.

Run by the former food editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller, Rodney Dunn, the classes begin outdoors on the sustainable farm in the picturesque Derwent Valley and migrate into a 19th-century school house.

There’s everything from charcuterie and baking classes to two-day Secrets of Sourdough and The Whole Hog courses at The Agrarian Kitchen .

While you can’t rest your head at the Agrarian Kitchen, the town of New Norfolk is just minutes away.

2. A Tavola at Pizzini Wines, Vic – for the inner-nonna

Katrina Pizzini slips on the apron to teach four-hour classes at the family winery in Victoria’s King Valley.

Classes at Pizzini range from traditional pasta and risotto-making, and salting and curing meats, to more focused tuition such as the Single & Loving It and Blokes & Barrels.

There’s a cottage adjacent to the cellar door, where you can flop after a class and dabble in a few tastings of the family wines.

3. Sticky Rice Cooking School, Adelaide Hills, SA – for a break from wine-tasting

There’s a little bit of Asia nestled in the Adelaide Hills and it can be found at this exceptional cooking school.

While you can pop in for a class and not stay, we highly recommend you book one of the three beautiful villas onsite so you can retreat post-class with a good bottle of local vino.

As for the classes, Sticky Rice offers everything from Vietnamese to everyday Thai, Spanish tapas and Moroccan.

Private classes are available and guest chefs drop in once in a while, such as Luke Nguyen, David Thompson and Tetsuya Wakuda.

4. Lake House, Daylesford, Vic – for the weekend dabbler

Set at one of the most idyllic locales for a relaxing break it’s easy to do nothing here but serenely gaze upon the lake from your room, but if you’re in the mood for a side of culinary knowledge with your mini escape, the cooking school at Lake House has you covered.

With guest chefs of the likes of Mitch Orr and Adriano Zumbo regularly popping in for masterclasses, it’s easy to tee up a weekend away with your favourite cook at the Lake House.

Be sure to book ahead, they fill up fast. We already have our eye on the Summer Masterclass for a pre-Christmas break in December.

5. Cape Lodge, Margaret River, WA – for city escapees

Shouldered by wineries and just three kilometres to the beach, Cape Lodge provides harassed Perthites with a place to escape and indulge in a little luxe country charm.

Once a few deep breaths have been taken and the local vines explored, calm may be restored enough to embark on one of the lodge’s cooking classes with executive chef Michael Elfwing.

Classes cover everything from The Art of Souffle to Cooking with Truffles and, one that piqued our curiosity, Modern Lasagnes.

From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

4. D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

5. Arcade Wine Bar

arcade wine bar moreton bay — Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

7. Farm Visits

Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

8. Miss Sprinkles

Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay — Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine. Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.