Australia is at the forefront of high quality wines and gourmet food, known to be a country with robust wine-producing industry, leaving you spoilt for choice when it comes to tasting premium wines. A plethora of food and wine festivals are held throughout the year to celebrate the ingredients and flavours of skilfully created products. Enlisted below are a few you can add to your bucket list, and make your journey to these regional festivals even more exciting by hiring a party bus.
Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival
The Hunter valley region with its scenic landscapes, rolling hills and lush greenery is on top of the list, when it comes to offering a wide range of high quality providores, restaurants and wineries. There is so much to explore that the festival itself is conducted not over a couple of days or weeks, but a period of two months from May to June, hosting over 70 epicurean events.
It will be hard for you to decide when to take part in this long event, but you shouldn’t confine yourself to a single visit. Several trips can deliver great rewards, with something new to experience every time. Vineyard tours, wine tastings and masterclasses are all part of the standard schedule, but you need to dig deep to unravel the hidden treasures. Attend the live cooking demonstrations and interact with the experts to learn about it. Enjoy a glass of the finest wines in the Hunter Valley before a roaring fire, followed by a delectable serving of cheese plate.
McLaren Vale Sea & Vines Festival
Maclaren Vale is a gorgeous wine making región in South Australia, suitable for a visit anytime of the year, but the irresistible attraction of this place is the Sea & Vines Festival, held across a period of 4 days in the month of June. It showcases everything the area has got to offer, from world-class wineries and local markets to pristine beaches and scrumptious food.
One can choose from a wide selection of interactive winery masterclasses and tours, long lunches, cooking classes, live music, and of course, intimate degustation with acclaimed chefs and winemakers. More than 25 wineries participate in the event every year, giving you a golden opportunity to indulge in a wide selection of crafted wines.
Cellar Door Wine Festival, Adelaide
There are so many incredible wineries across the Southern part of Australia, that it’s not possible to visit each one of them in one single trip to Australia. This is why we have the Cellar Door Wine Festival taking place right in the heart of Adelaide, showcasing over 180 breweries, wineries, food producers and distillers, under one roof. With Long Table feasts, informative masterclasses and complimentary wine tastings, there just cannot be a better way to discover the history of winemaking in this region. Interact with the passionate winemakers at “Meet the Maker” sessions conducted onsite. Once you sort out your favourites, plan a short trip to the wineries that have left a good impression on your taste buds.
Canberra District Wine Harvest Festival
Often overshadowed by metropolitan cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra has been building an impression for its cool climate, favourable for wine production. The best time to visit this place is certainly during the Canberra District Wine Harvest Festival, held annually in the month of April, and set against the scenic vineyards of the district. The event features live entertainment and delectable food, with an opportunity to meet expert winemakers at the cellar doors. Sip the latest wines, indulge in food tastings and enjoy guided winery tours in a place known for its eclectic geography. It’s a 10-day festival held across the district and the surrounding areas of Gundaroo, Bungendore, Hall, Yass and Murrumbateman, culminating a marvellous harvest season over the last weekend.
Margaret River Gourmet Escape
One of the most extraordinary food and wine festivals in the country, Margaret River Gourmet Escape is undeniably one of the must-visit events on the culinary map. Previous seasons have attracted some of the biggest names in the industry, including the likes of Guy Grossi, Rick Stein and Nigella Lawson, along with top brewers, food producers, restaurants and winemakers of Western Australia region.
It is an undisputable fact that only few places can compete with the charm and elegance of the stunning Margaret River, perfect for enjoying a gourmet beach BBQ. The key highlight of the festival is the Gourmet Escape Village, which throws light on the exceptional culinary culture in this unique part of the continent. Talk about feasting in the forest, luscious tastings, long lunches, brunches and a lot more. This is definitely an escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Noosa Food and Wine Festival
Taste and sip the many delights at the Noosa Food and Wine Festival, as you feel the warmth of sand beneath your feet. With more than 40 events lined up on the main beach, the festival attracts over 10,000 people every year for a unique experience throughout the hinterland. Some of the finest wines in the region take centre stage along with fresh local produce, created by expert chefs. While you are here, you should definitely visit The Woods, a drop-in wine and produce village, featuring some of the best food and wine producers in the country. Tantalise your taste buds with their culinary delights, along with cheese and charcuteries from across the country.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
With Melbourne being a foodie destination, one can expect a food and wine festival that raises the bars high, drawing even the most astute food lovers in big numbers. More than 200 events are conducted over the course of the festival; with the key highlight including a wine weekend, where you can interact and dine with the wine legends of Australia. One can also look forward to the House of Food & Wine responsible for hosting block parties, sit-down dinners and wine tastings, master classes with chefs whose restaurants are some of the best in the world, and also the long lunches.