Restaurant Australia - Queensland

Queensland’s Wine Secret

Boasting an increasing stable of award-winning wines the secret is out about Queensland’s flourishing wine industry. Visitors can meet the wine makers at boutique cellar doors set amongst charming vineyards, in friendly villages. The main wine regions stretch from the Gold Coast Hinterland, through the Scenic Rim, out to the Granite Belt, and west to the Darling Downs and Toowoomba.  Queensland’s most prolific wine growing region the Granite Belt, is part of the Great Dividing Range, close to Stanthorpe on the Queensland/New South Wales border, a three-hour drive South West of Brisbane 

Spotlight: Granite Belt

• Over 55 vineyards and 40 boutique cellar doors
  
• Predominate wine varieties are; Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot
  
• Accommodation options include; Bed and Breakfasts, farm stays and ‘glamping’ facilities
  
• Tours from Stanthorpe also available

Markets Sunshine Coast

Visitors can mingle with the locals and taste produce straight from the producer at these two fabulous markets on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

NOOSA FARMERS MARKETS

Taste products grown, reared, caught, baked or prepared by the stall holder. From artisanal cheeses, tasty preserves and local seafood to farm fresh fruit, poultry, beef and lamb. 

When?
Every Sunday 

Where?
Noosaville. 1 1⁄2 hour’s drive north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast. A wide range of accommodation is available in Noosa making it the perfect base for exploring the region.

EUMUNDI MARKETS

Offering a range of quality local produce that is bound to impress, they are also a great place to pick up original artworks, fashion and jewellery from local designers.

When?
Wednesday and Saturday mornings 

Where?
Eumundi is an hour’s drive north of Brisbane or 30 minutes' drive from Noosa. Day tours of Eumundi Markets are also available. 

Learn about Aboriginal Culture on the Bama Way

Take an Aboriginal journey through Tropical North Queensland along the Bama Way and discover the area through the eyes of the original inhabitants. Tours visit sacred and historic local sites, teach guests about bush tucker and natural medicine, and uncover the myths behind rock paintings. 

Spotlight:

• Aboriginal journey from Cairns to north of Cooktown
  
• Join a guided tour from Cairns, self-drive or fly/drive (fly Cooktown and drive back to Cairns)
  
• Tours operate 1st April until 30th November inclusive
  
• There are three Aboriginal owned and operated tour companies, the Guurrbi Tours, The Walker Family Tours and Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours

Dine in Cosmopolitan Brisbane

Brisbane’s thriving food scene features award-winning bars, innovative eateries and the finest in fine dining establishments. 

Spotlight:

• Uncover Brisbane’s urban night life along Ann and Wickham Streets
  
• A wide range of ethnic restaurants can be found in the West End
  
• Cute cottages and shops have been converted into modern restaurants and hip coffee shops in the suburbs of Paddington and Rosalie
  
• The Emporium complex, in The Valley is a luxury dining precinct that includes everything from premium deli produce to cutting edge restaurants and trendy bars

More Food and Wine Experiences

• Visitors to the outback town of Birdsville in Queensland’s Central West can take their taste buds on a native Aussie Adventure at The Birdsville Bakery – famous for its curry camel pie, crocodile cheesecake, emu carpaccio, roast kangaroo, and confit of possum
  
• Queensland’s islands are famous for their luxurious offerings, including world-class food and wine experiences ranging from decadent beach dinners to chef prepared picnic baskets served on private strips of sparkling white sand
  
• Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is not only a playground for humpback whales it is also a seafood-lovers smorgasbord! From fresh tuna, whiting and mackerel, to king prawns and mud crabs the produce practically leaps from the ocean to the plate.

Food and Wine Festival & Events Calendar

FEBRUARY

• Food & Wine Expo, Gold Coast
  Starting in the Gold Coast and continuing down to Canberra and Newcastle every year, visitors can expect, celebrity chefs, pop-up restaurants and market stalls along with gourmet food and wine.

MAY

• Noosa International Food and Wine Festival
  An exciting combination of events includes long lunches, wine tasting, concerts, degustation menus, guest chef dinners, produce markets, cooking demonstrations and classes by celebrity chefs.
  
• Food, Wine and a Taste of Port – Port Douglas
  The premier cuisine and social event of the Port Douglas Carnivale, Food, Wine and A Taste of Port represents the region’s best restaurants and offers a range of Australian and international beverages.

Useful Links

• Granite Belt
• Bama Way
• The Emporium Complex