Go on a journey and devour Australia’s most excellent food and wine. Taste local Australian produce. Gastronomic flavours. A modern blend of a mix of international cuisines. World-class wine. Craft beers. Cider and whiskeys. Artisan food from the farmer’s market. Home-grown vegetables and tropical fruits. The world’s best oysters. And more.
Savour fish and chips - Aussie style, by the beach. Sample wine at the world-renowned Barossa Valley. Have brunch at a cafe under the shady trees and sunshine of Saint Kilda. Try a freshly baked spinach roll from the bakery. Enjoy a barbecue in the park. Taste Australia’s finest seafood. Whatever your flavour, Australia has something for you.
"I lived in Australia for several years and I love to share my local knowledge and experiences. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and making your dream holiday to Australia a reality!"
Contact Ilona
When travelling around Australia, you will notice many new and enticing things to try. From native ingredients and the Aussie favourites to exciting fusions and Australian chefs that really celebrate the locally-grown produce. We have listed some of the most popular and a few of the less unknown.
Would you like to try real and authentic Australian flavours? There are some very special ingredients that are uniquely Australian. Add them to some of your dishes during your journey through Australia, for a real Aussie infusion. Here are a few to keep an eye out for:
For over 40,000 years, Indigenous Australians have been using the land to provide themselves with a staple diet. During your trip to Australia, be sure to taste traditional Indigenous food. Known as ‘bush tucker,’ Aboriginals lived on a high protein diet. And they used techniques such as spearfishing and hunting to source food.
Insects such as witchetty grubs were popular. You can also see these little creepy crawlies featured in many Aboriginal paintings. It was the most important insect food in the desert and was a major staple in their diets. Learn more about bush tucker (food) with our knowledgeable and local guides in Australia. They can’t wait to show you their part of the world.
Did you know that Australia is a major agricultural producer and exporter? Australian farmers are proud of their home-grown produce. Some of the major crops grown in Australia include:
Some of the fruits grown include juicy fresh tropical varieties such as mangoes, passionfruit, pawpaws (papaya), lychee, dragon fruit and pineapples. There are many new taste sensations to discover.
Aussies love to barbecue! It is a huge part of their lifestyle and is often referred to as ‘barbie.’ It’s especially enjoyed in the summertime with a cold beer in hand. Some of the more traditional meat cooked is steak, sausages (also known as ‘snags’), lamp chomps and rissoles. The meat is usually served with cold salads, sauce, bread and fresh seafood.
Also, it's typical to find a barbecue's cooking sausages and onions, outside large hardware stores. You eat the sausage and onion in a piece of bread - That’s a ‘sausage sizzle’!
Would you like to experience an Aussie-style barbecue? Australia has ‘free’ barbecues all over the country. Relax in a shaded park and soak up the Aussie lifestyle. And keep your eye out for native wildlife including a large assortment of birds. Be sure to use the region's best locally produced products too!
Aussies are proud of their food and which products they claim to be Aussie. Here are a few:
Would you like to discover more about Australia? Let Ilona inspire you on a virtual journey through the country and answer all of your questions.
Join Ilona at an online presentationAre you ready to go on a culinary adventure in Australia? With so many exciting fusions, award-winning dishes, unique locations and degustation experiences to choose from, you will have trouble deciding where to go.
When you go out for dinner in Australia, it is possible that you see ‘BYO’ on the window of restaurants. This means "bring your own", i.e. you may bring your own drink. This principle was created for restaurants that do not have a license to serve alcohol.
Aussies like to eat outside the door and the dress code is - depending on the restaurant - often informal. Generally tipping is not standard, but it is certainly appreciated. Should you wish to tip, it is customary to tip 10% of the bill.
Do you love seafood? Australia is sure to tantalise your tastebuds. A large part of the Aussie culture revolves around seafood. Australia’s seafood includes freshly caught lobster, tuna, oysters, sardines, salmon, prawns and more. At Christmas, Australians love fresh prawns. Well, actually at any time of the year! There are plenty of restaurants that specialise in seafood dishes.
Australians enjoy a variety of meat and exports beef to more than 100 countries across the world. Other than beef there are also lots of other weird and wonderful meats to try. Would you like to try a crocodile burger? Is emu on the menu? Or maybe some kangaroo steak?
Are you vegan or vegetarian? No worries, Australia has plenty of options for you! In fact, over 2.5 million Australians are vegetarian. With a fresh and modern outlook on food, you can mostly find at least a vegetarian/ vegan option or substitute at most food places.
Australia has a fantastic coffee culture. It's not just in the dishes that Australians are innovative, they're also innovative in the coffee world. On almost every street corner of an Australian city, you can enjoy a quality cup of coffee. How about an Australian flat white or the so-called speciality coffees?
Australia has over 60 wine regions to explore. The majority can be found in Victoria and New South Wales. Some renowned regions are the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, Margaret River and Yarra Valley.
Australia is the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world. The country successfully grows a range of grapes but Shiraz may be the one worth mentioning. Which is your favourite?
Explore Tasmania's pristine coastline together with a local company. The tour starts at Constitution Dock in… read more
Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu (the Aboriginal people of the area) and is listed as a UNESCO World… read more
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
