Tourism Australia is encouraging Aussies to ‘go big’ this year.
And to help Aussies get into a travel state of mind, it’s also released its 2021 Bucket List, featuring 101 ways to experience the best of Australia.
Australia is home to so many world-class destinations and tourism experiences that limiting them to 101 almost seems unfair.
“Australia is home to the oldest continuous living culture on earth, a reef so vast that you can see it from space, great golf courses that feature in world’s best lists, lakes that take on pink hues and much more,” said Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison.
“For those who have the means and are able to do so, summer offers the perfect opportunity for getting out and enjoying some of Australian tourism’s greatest icons, experiences and offerings while also helping our tourism businesses and communities get back on their feet.”
So, want to go big this year? Why not start ticking off a few (or all) of these 101 ways to holiday in Australia? You won’t have to go far to find them, chances are, there are more than a few options in your hometown. So, let’s start the countdown with experiences that focus on food and drink …
101. Enjoy a cold beer
Australia’s craft beer scene has been growing steadily in recent years, and as Aussie breweries perfect their craft, it’s no wonder the offering is becoming bigger and better. From sour and nitro beers to vegan brews and more traditional Aussie lagers, there’s a perfect beer out there for you.
Read more: Australia’s best craft beer
100. Learn about paddock-to-plate dining
Feast on a meal that’s been sourced just steps from where you’re enjoying your meal. At a paddock-to-plate eatery, you’ll be served only what’s in season and sourced nearby.
99. Pick the fruit of the season
Picking your own produce is a great way to spend time with family, stay in touch with the seasons and guarantee your fruits and vegetables are fresh. Visit an orchard or farm and walk away with delicious in-season ingredients. You can even make an income along the way by following the harvest seasons around the country. Check out the Harvest Trail’s interactive map to see when and where different crops are harvested.
98. Join a cooking class
Learn how to recreate some of your favourite dishes using local produce and expert tricks. At a cooking class, you’ll find a new appreciation for the growers and producers who make Australian produce something special.
97. Follow a food trail
Pack your appetite for a drive through one of Australia’s best foodie regions. There are plenty of food trails across Australia, and a trip along any one of them will support the farmers, producers, distilleries and winemakers that you’ll find along the way.
Read more: Eat, stay, play: NSW Riverina
96. Find a speakeasy
All across Australia, there are basement spaces and old shops that have been transformed into hard-to-find speakeasies. Seek out secret bars behind hidden doors where clever bartenders serve up an array of cocktails with creative twists.
95. Visit the seafood markets
Australia has some world-class seafood, and one of the best places to get it is at a fish market. Meet local fisherman, embrace the bustling atmosphere and pick from an incredible selection of seafood.
94. Indulge in a hatted restaurant
Take your date night up a notch at a restaurant that has received the coveted ‘hat’ award. And you won’t only find these fine dining establishments in the city. Recent rumblings in regional Australia have put the spotlight on a new wave of restaurants rivalling their big city siblings.
93. Go for a pub feed
In Australia, you don’t have to go far to find a pub. Stop in with a mate for a classic chicken schnitzel or Sunday roast – with a side of chips, of course. Every dollar spent helps get the Australian hospitality industry back on its feet.
Read more: Great Aussie country pubs
92. Forage for native ingredients
Learn how to use traditional Aboriginal methods to gather and prepare food, as well as identify and taste seasonal bush foods. Choose from several Indigenous food tours, which can be found in some of Australia’s most picturesque locations.
91. Grill over an open fire
Australia has a long history of cooking over fire, and the tradition continues with world-class restaurants, Aboriginal food tours and outdoor dining experiences. Soak up this Australian pastime by cooking up some local produce over an outdoor barbecue. Be sure to check local bushfire restrictions and always follow the advice of authorities.
89. Wander through vines to cellar doors
Australia is home to some of the world’s great wine regions. Australia’s Ultimate Winery Experiences offer incredible behind-the-scenes tours and tastings at award-winning wineries. Go behind the cellar door to pair wine with art, taste directly from the barrel or blend your own bottle.
88. Discover a new cuisine
Australia is a melting pot of cuisines from all around the world. From Darwin to Sydney, you’ll find hawker-style eats, fusion restaurants and fine dining establishments all serving inventive dishes that will have you craving more.
87. Find Australia’s best pie
The humble meat pie is an Aussie treasure. From major cities to country towns, local bakeries can be found selling everything from the classic beef pie to more modern varieties such as scallop pie and kangaroo pie. Set off on a road trip to find a pie worth driving for.
86. Shuck oysters straight from the ocean
You’ll find some of the world’s most delicious oysters in the clear waters of South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. Treat yourself to an unforgettable seafood experience when you book an oyster tour that takes you out into the water. You can even kayak in and out of working oyster farms with RegionX on the south coast of New South Wales.
Read more: Why Adelaide is truly Australia’s foodie capital
85. Try traditional Aboriginal delicacies
Experience Indigenous cooking practices that date back tens of thousands of years. Guided bush tucker walks reveal the surprising ingredients growing within the Australian landscape, while outback dining – infused with the unique flavours of the Australian bush – offers a deliciously immersive experience. Alternatively, try your hand at traditional hunting.
84. Find the perfect cup of coffee
Australians might be a relaxed bunch, but expectations are high when it comes to coffee. And with more than 90 per cent of Australia’s coffee shops and cafés independently owned, each brew is as unique as the next. Take your pick of cafés in your city and beyond to test whose brew is best.
That should whet your appetite.
What’s your favourite Aussie food or drink experience? Which unique experience would you suggest to a new traveller, or to one of our members? Why not share your tips in the comments area below?
Article edited from 101 ways to holiday here this year originally published on www.australia.com.
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