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These are Australia’s top 10 towns for food and wine lovers

Credit: Chapel Hill Wines

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
If food and wine is high on your hit list, here’s where you need to head. 

In these towns, food and wine aren’t just part of the experience, they are the experience. From paddock to plate and vine to glass, each one showcases the best of its region. Our panel of industry experts have placed them among Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns for their unique ability to transform local produce into a truly memorable trip. 

1. Willunga, SA 

Overall rank: 7/100 

Kaurna Country 

Chapel Hill Wines
Enjoy a slow afternoon pouring top-notch drops at the stunning Chapel Hill Winery. (Credit: Chapel Hill Wines)

This historic village in McLaren Vale draws oenophiles for its proximity to wineries that press up against its edges. Start your weekend with a beach swim, then drift inland for a mooch around the farmers’ market in town before a slow circuit of the region’s cellar doors, such as Chapel Hill Winery. “McLaren Vale is the perfect wine region, blending coast, countryside and character," says panellist Imogen Eveson. “Willunga is the cute town that captures it all." 

Don’t miss: A tipple at Hither & Yon cellar door, located in the town’s original 1860s butcher shop on its historic High Street. 

2. Lorne, Vic 

Overall rank: 11/100 

Gadubanud Country 

Lorne dining
From pubs to eateries, Lorne is the ultimate Great Ocean Road foodie escape. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Lorne has long traded on its good looks. But the seaside town along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is also building a reputation for what’s on the plate as much as the roaring surf and limestone sentinels offshore. Just two hours from Melbourne, it draws day-trippers for its polished pubs, cafes, bakeries, bars and ambitious eateries such as IPSOS Restaurant & Bar. Factor in a few coastal walks and hinterland drives between all that wining and dining. 

Don’t miss: “The sweeping coastal drive to Lorne is almost as memorable as the destination itself," recommends panellist Rae Johnston. 

3. Margaret River, WA 

Overall rank: 20/100 

Wadandi Country 

Voyager Estate
Enjoy world-class drops and local produce at Voyager Estate. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)

A three-hour drive from Perth, Margaret River sits at the centre of the region that bears its name – where wine, waves and food converge. Begin your day with a morning surf, then commit to a long lunch at winery restaurants like Voyager Estate or Vasse Felix where local crayfish, abalone and truffles inform the menus. “Wine plus surf plus food is a ridiculous combo," says panellist Irene Jones. 

Don’t miss: The outdoors as well as cellar doors: wander amid towering karri trees, explore ancient cave systems etched over millennia and follow the curves of the coastline. 

4. Launceston, Tas 

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Overall rank: 26/100 

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country 

Sinapius Vineyard
Grape-to-glass magic truly shines at Sinapius Vineyard. (Credit: Adam Gibson)

“Launceston is big enough to have fabulous big-city restaurants and coffee, but small enough to have maintained a sense of community," says panellist Brett Godfrey. That balance underlines Lonnie’s status as Northern Tassie’s City of Gastronomy. The town earned its title through its grape-to-glass and paddock-to-plate philosophies, exemplified by boutique wineries such as Sinapius Vineyard. But there are plenty other things to do in Launceston besides eating and drinking, from visiting art galleries to catching the chairlift across Cataract Gorge.

Don’t miss: Producers, makers, growers and chefs operate in close orbit here and you can visit them along the Tasting Trail Tasmania route through the state’s north-west. 

5. Meeniyan, Vic 

Overall rank: 27/100 

Gunaikurnai & Bunurong Country 

Trulli Outdoors
A stop at Trulli Outdoors for woodfired pizza is a must. (Credit: Grind Media)

Meeniyan might be read as a blink-and-you-miss-it stop on Gippsland’s food and wine trail. But exploring the modest village panellist Irene Jones describes as “tiny but surprisingly trendy" feels like an epicurean’s own adventure. Start at Mahob at Moo’s, then move on to woodfired pizza at Trulli Outdoors. Stock the esky at The Meeniyan Store with cheeses, condiments and preserves that catch your fancy. 

Don’t miss:  A pie from Pandesal Bakery, a tasty reason to pull over on your way to Wilsons Promontory. 

6. Orange, NSW 

Overall rank: 33/100 

Wiradjuri Country 

Orange Food Week
Orange has earned its place as a regional dining standout. (Credit: Orange Food Week)

A 3.5-hour drive from Sydney, the Central West town of Orange has become a benchmark for regional dining, produce markets, with hatted restaurants, cellar doors and farm gates all in easy reach. “I never get tired of visiting Orange for the fresh air, great wine and excellent food," says panellist Katie Carlin, who makes a case for visiting in the cooler months when the air is crisp and a glass of red wine around an open fire feels just right. Discover all the best things to do in Orange, along with its best restaurants. 

Don’t miss: Orange FOOD Week, which runs each autumn. 

7. Clare, SA 

Overall rank: 51/100 

Ngadjuri Country 

Clare
Clare is made for food and wine touring. (Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission)

South Australia’s Riesling Trail links a string of boutique cellar doors (including Shut the Gate) along 35 kilometres of disused railway line, making it one of Australia’s best wine regions to explore on two wheels. Clare is at the centre of the valley that is defined by the varietal – off-dry rieslings with a mineral edge that are perfect for food pairing. “Clare has an incredible wine region. It’s great for food and wine touring," says panellist Paul Hamra. 

Don’t miss: Clare Valley Gourmet Week from 15-18 May; it’s Australia’s longest-running wine and food festival. 

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8. Griffith, NSW 

Overall: 63/100 

Wiradjuri Country  

Griffith
In Griffith, Italian heritage is baked into everyday life.

“Griffith is all food, wine and Italian heritage vibes," says Irene Jones. The town is in the fertile Riverina region – one of Australia’s most bountiful food bowls – where generations of Italian families continue to influence how the town eats and drinks. Bakeries turn out biscotti by the tray, restaurants roll pasta by hand and cellar doors pour Italian varietals with confidence. Forget trends; it’s all about tradition with exceptional produce underpinning it all. 

Don’t miss: A Taste of Italy Griffith (24-30 August), where the town’s Italian heritage comes to life through food, wine and a fiercely contested salami-making competition. 

9. Coffin Bay, SA 

Overall rank: 66/100 

Nauo Country 

oyster farm at Coffin Bay
Experience the Oyster Farm at Coffin Bay. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

This beautiful beach town opens onto stunning views of the glittering SA bay the town is named after. “Taste amazing oysters at a local oyster farm," suggests panellist Ben Hall. “Enjoy them freshly shucked and relax while soaking up the views from a deck overlooking beautiful Coffin Bay." As well as being justifiably famous for its world-class oysters and natural environment, Coffin Bay has its fair share of sea life with southern right whale sightings common from May to October.  

Don’t miss: Cutty’s Tours‘ 45-minute guided glass-bottom boat tour that showcases the work being done as part of the Oyster Reef Regeneration Project. 

10. Tanunda, SA 

Overall rank: 72/100 

Ngadjuri Country (Barossa sits across the lands of Ngadjuri, Peramangk & Kaurna peoples) 

Tanunda
Refined regional flavours and a polished wine list come together in Tanunda. (Credit: Beckons)

“You’re going to shop your little heart out here," says Catriona Rowntree. She’s not wrong. A clever strategy for a wine aficionado is to take an empty suitcase: the history-rich town is in the heart of the Barossa Valley and on the doorstep of the region’s best wineries. Between tastings, there are restaurants such as Appellation at The Louise that make it a breeze to eat and drink well. 

Don’t miss: The iconic Barossa winery, Château Tanunda, where winemaker Jeremy Ottawa is known for nurturing some of the oldest vines in the world. 

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    Continue
    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.