Exotic gastronomic Australian experiences to bucket list for your next trip Down Under

If you are an avid viewer of MasterChef Australia, by now you know that Australia's food scene is an eclectic mix of unique cuisines and cultures; right from the promise of fresh and rich produce (think farm-to-table and freshly caught seafood), to native Indigenous ingredients, and renowned restaurants that push the boundaries of culinary creativity. Australia’s dining landscape in particular, is a mix of an open, inquisitive take on food, quality ingredients, and global food influences, while also staying true to its roots. So, for all the foodies who are looking to experience not your everyday tastes, Tourism Australia suggets some uniquely Australian gastronomic experiences for you to dig into.

Lovers of premium wines and top-rated dining must make a beeline for Western Australia, and more specifically, Margaret River and its surrounding regions Bunbury, Pemberton and Manjimup. You will find extraordinary local food - from cheese and olives, fresh seafood like oysters and freshwater crayfish, beautiful wine at local cellar doors and paddock-fresh produce from farmgate stalls and restaurants.

Whether at a restaurant or on a guided tour, there are some great ways you can celebrate Australia's native ingredients. Sampling traditional Indigenous food (or bush tucker, as it’s sometimes called) is a true Aussie bucket list food experience. Take a guided tour to gain insight into the traditional culture while learning about the history and uses of ingredients like quandong, Davidson’s plum, finger lime and lemon myrtle, or for a dining experience like no other, try Attica in Melbourne/ Narrm, where they focus on native ingredients like Warrigal greens, kangaroo, emu and crocodile.

There are so many incredible ways to experience and enjoy Australia's local (and very fresh) seafood. Embark on an epicurean adventure at Coffin Bay in South Australia. Oyster Farm Tours will take you wading out into the water for a hands-on shucking lesson and taste of fresh Pacific and native Angasi oysters straight from the clear, rippling waters. Want to stay dry? Grab your mates and challenge yourselves with a one-kilogram (two-pound) plate of rich and salty Coffin Bay oysters at the Port Lincoln Hotel, where you can pair your platter with samples of local produce, wine, and beer.

Australia is synonymous with barbequing for a reason. Australians love to make the most of the outdoors, good food and good company. So, whether it's at the beach, a local park or in a backyard, you can put anything on the BBQ (lamb, kangaroo, beef, or seafood), make a salad, invite some friends and you have one of the best Aussie food experiences ready to go. In fact, Australian BBQ culture has become ingrained in some of our top restaurants, like award-winning restaurant, Firedoor in Sydney/ Warranee where chef Lennox Hastie loves cooking seasonal produce on an open fire.

With a mix of its northern neighbours in South-East Asia and a thriving local Indigenous culture, Darwin’s food and drink culture is all about interesting fusion cuisine, exciting exotic flavours and casual al fresco dining. Crazy Acres Mango Farm & Café is worth the 20-minute drive from Darwin; their mango smoothie bowls are famous. At Pee Wee’s at the Point, you can treat yourself to their famed coconut-crusted crocodile or dig into the house-cured crocodile jerky and crocodile boa buns at Snapper Rocks.

Mealtime in Australia isn’t always about fine dining. If you want to experience dinner like a local, head to the pub – you are bound to find one in almost any neighbourhood. Great pubs are a dime a dozen across the country, but for a memorable night, head to a pub in a rural region. For a true Aussie experience, visit Birdsville Hotel in central Queensland - rightly dubbed as Australia’s most iconic outback pub. You must order the “parma and a pot”⁠ – otherwise known as chicken parmigiana and a beer!

For travellers heading to the country’s capital, Canberra, the place really is a food and wine lovers dream, with hidden gems and incredible local produce just waiting to be discovered. For the ultimate in unique luxury that combines art and fine dining, book into an exclusive after-hours tour at the National Gallery of Australia with A Feast of Icons and join an expert guide as they reveal the stories behind Jackson Pollock’s artwork, all alongside an incredible degustation dinner. Other must-visits in the city include Capitol Brewing Co., Australia's only Aussie owned B-Corp brewery who offer a range of delicious beers alongside mouth-watering burgers and hotdogs, or Bar Rochford, the hidden upstairs bar that’s all about fine food, exciting wine producers and great music.

With direct flights to Hobart, a trip to Tasmania has to be on the agenda for foodies who want a true taste of Australian seafood. Renowned for its fresh seafood, cold climate wines and contemporary cuisine, a trip to Hobart is all about planning ahead and booking a spot at one of the many incredible restaurants who frequently change their local set menus. Our favourites include the modern Italian menu at Sonny, the new fine dining experience at Dier Makr (or opt for its sister wine bar Lucinda for a casual vibe) and Fico’s delicious seasonal fair.

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