Food & Wine
Savour world-renowned wines, fresh local cuisine, and multicultural flavours
About Food & Wine
Australia's food and wine scene is one of the world's most exciting — a vibrant fusion of multicultural influences, exceptional local produce, and world-class wine regions. From the laneway cafes of Melbourne to the cellar doors of the Barossa Valley, the seafood of Tasmania, and the bush tucker-inspired fine dining of Australia's top restaurants, food is central to the Australian travel experience. With over 65 wine regions producing award-winning Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling, Australia is a genuine paradise for food and wine lovers.
Quick Facts
- 65+ designated wine regions
- Barossa Valley: some of the world's oldest Shiraz vines
- Melbourne: over 5,000 restaurants
- Sydney Fish Market: 3rd largest by variety globally
- Bush tucker: the world's oldest continuous food culture
Top Highlights
Barossa Valley
South Australia's Barossa Valley is home to some of the world's oldest Shiraz vines, with estates like Penfolds, Henschke, and Seppeltsfield producing wines of global renown. Cellar door tastings, long lunches, and artisan food producers define this iconic wine region.
Melbourne's Food Scene
Melbourne is widely regarded as Australia's culinary capital, with a dining scene shaped by waves of immigration from Italy, Greece, Vietnam, China, and beyond. The city's laneways hide world-class restaurants, and its coffee culture is considered among the best globally.
Sydney Fish Market
The third-largest fish market in the world by variety, Sydney Fish Market handles over 14,500 tonnes of seafood annually. The new state-of-the-art facility at Blackwattle Bay features dining halls, cooking classes, and the freshest oysters, prawns, and sashimi in the country.
Bush Tucker
Indigenous Australian food culture — bush tucker — is the world's oldest cuisine, dating back over 65,000 years. Ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattleseed, finger lime, kangaroo, and barramundi are now featured on menus at Australia's top restaurants, creating a uniquely Australian fine dining experience.
Wine Regions
Australia has over 65 designated wine regions producing exceptional wines. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is the spiritual home of Australian Shiraz, with century-old vines producing intensely flavoured, full-bodied reds. The Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region (established 1820s), is renowned for its Semillon and Shiraz, just two hours from Sydney. The Yarra Valley near Melbourne produces elegant cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while Margaret River in Western Australia is known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasmania has emerged as a world-class sparkling wine region, and the Canberra District produces outstanding Riesling and Shiraz Viognier.
Multicultural Dining
Australia's dining landscape is a reflection of its multicultural population. Melbourne's Richmond suburb is home to one of the Southern Hemisphere's largest Vietnamese food precincts, while Lygon Street in Carlton is the city's Italian heart. Sydney's Chinatown in Haymarket and the Vietnamese restaurants of Cabramatta offer authentic Asian cuisine, and Lakemba's bustling Lebanese food scene comes alive during Ramadan. In every major city, you will find Japanese izakayas, Thai street food stalls, Indian curry houses, Greek tavernas, and Korean barbecue restaurants — often side by side — reflecting the incredible diversity of Australian food culture.
Farm-to-Table & Local Produce
Australia's clean environment, vast agricultural lands, and surrounding oceans produce exceptional ingredients. Tasmania has become a gourmet destination, famous for its oysters, salmon, truffles (June–August), and artisan cheeses. The Northern Rivers region of NSW produces macadamias, coffee, and subtropical fruits. South Australia's Adelaide Central Market, operating since 1869, is considered Australia's greatest food market. Farmers' markets across the country connect visitors directly with growers and producers — from the Salamanca Market in Hobart to the Noosa Farmers Market in Queensland.