From Vine to Brine: Southern Australia’s Ultimate Foodie Road Trip

Australia’s rich history, abundant food sources and innovative chefs have created a next-level culinary culture, but the country’s vast size poses a challenge for food lovers seeking to sample world-class cuisine in a short time. A solution: book an international flight to Australia, then unlock discounted Qantas Explorer flights on a multi-city trip to over 45 domestic destinations. Below, top foodie picks on Qantas’s southern route between Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania.

Adelaide, capital of South Australia, boasts amazing restaurants, a vibrant bar scene and nearby wine regions. Begin at Adelaide Central Market, housing more than 70 passionate fresh-food traders. Visit the Kangaroo Island Stall for the best South Australian produce, or head to Lucia’s, Adelaide’s first pizza bar serving traditional Italian fare since 1957. Paninis are a passion there — order a Number Two stuffed with mortadella, provolone and green olives. You might not be able to stop at one.

From the market, gourmets can hop to Gouger Street, opposite, famous for its array of international cuisine. Award-winning Africola often tops Adelaide’s leader board for foodie heaven and chilled vibes, serving spicy sharing food with a South African flourish. Anyone for peri peri chicken with Mpumalanga fire sauce?

Just over an hour north-east of Adelaide lies the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s oldest wine regions where bold, full-bodied reds — notably shiraz — and fortified wines have made their mark. Saddle up for a horseback tour with Jacob’s Creek Vineyard Trail Ride and Taste Experience. Many award-winning wines are served onboard Qantas flights; business passengers can consult sommeliers for recommendations.

If cheese is your guilty pleasure, indulge at Barossa Valley Cheese Company. You’ll find artisan cheeses including rich Barossa camembert, halloumi and crumbly vintage cheddar. In the small town of Tanunda, Tanunda Bakery & Cafe, owned by a second-generation German couple, offers sourdoughs, vollkorn sourdough ryes, German treats like chocolate torten or pretzels, and Australian beef pies, pizzas and fresh salad rolls.

All the foodie fun isn’t reserved for terra firma. Qantas’s in-flight food features regional produce at altitude. In First or Business, enjoy Oberon’s Margra lamb, Gippsland’s Bannockburn chicken and Pepe Saya butter. Throughout all flights, mouthwatering morsels like Dreamtime Tuka snacks (made with native Australian ingredients) or the classic chocolate Tim Tam are always on tap.

Melbourne, arguably the caffeine capital of the world, owes its coffee culture to its port heritage and Greek and Italian influences. It’s not all flat whites — pour-over, siphon and cold-drip styles are embraced. Ask for a “magic” and you’ll get a Melbourne-originated short drink with double ristretto topped with steamed milk.

Head to Carlton’s Good Measure for innovative creations such as the Mont Blanc, a filter coffee topped with cream, nutmeg and orange zest. “Watch out, it’s strong!” Or check out ST. ALi in South Melbourne, a lively cafe for devoted caffeine heads, home to creative collaborations extending beyond coffee to fashion and art. Soak up the atmosphere and stay a while.

No visit to Melbourne is complete without a trip to the Yarra Valley, an hour north-east of the city. Taste fine wines and regional favourites from restaurants and dairies. The valley’s microclimates produce outstanding pinot noirs and chardonnays, and its shiraz is making headlines. Visit Yering Station, Victoria’s first vineyard established in 1838, for understated elegance and fine wines.

The cellar door at TarraWarra Estate in the heart of the Yarra Valley won’t disappoint. At the restaurant, you’ll be served a “story” of local produce, not just a menu. A sample signature menu: Buxton trout — from one of Australia’s best freshwater trout producers — with purple daikon and celery.

Anyone for bubbles? Head to Chandon, where winemakers have carried the Chandon tradition of sparkling wine since it arrived from Argentina in 1959. The cool Yarra Valley climate is perfect for premium sparkling. Consider enjoying its three-tier brunch with bubbles.

Drop by The Yarra Valley Dairy for goat and cows’ milk cheese tasting. Munch on marinated Persian feta or savour salted honey cow (a cheese using premium local honey and salt for sweet’n’savoury hit). Specialities include goat in a coat: goat’s cheese with Noosa’s black garlic honey, wrapped in prosciutto and cooked till golden. “Delish.”

Once you’ve sampled the Yarra Valley’s best on land, elevate your experience literally. Check out Qantas Passenger Perks for discounts on the Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon Experience and survey stunning vineyards from the sky.

Flying into Tasmania, it would be criminal not to start with seafood. Two and a half hours north-east of Hobart lies the Freycinet Peninsula, home to award-winning Freycinet Marine Farm, dishing out some of Tasmania’s best seafood harvested daily. The best part? Take it away, or enjoy it on the deck with a glass of something chilled.

The farm is the only mussel farm on Tassie, making it the go-to destination for the freshest batch. Try its moules marinière with garlic, cream and white wine, Tasmanian scallops or mussels España.

If it’s oysters you’re after, Oyster Bay Tours offers a truly memorable experience: harvesting them yourself. Hop into Swanport Estuary waters to learn sorting and shucking. Afterwards, enjoy your oysters on the riverbank with a glass of local wine. Some tours include a trip to a local Freycinet Vineyard for grazing plates and wines.

From here, you’re 20-30 minutes from Freycinet National Park’s wild beauty. Visit to soak up views of Wineglass Bay with its clear waters and curved white-sand beach from the hills above.

Book now at qantas.com or your preferred travel agent.