Food & Cuisine in Oceania

Australia’s culinary capital, famed for its world-class coffee culture, hidden laneway bars and vibrant multicultural dining. Graze the historic Queen Victoria Market, work through the city’s Greek, Italian and Vietnamese quarters, and join the locals for their much-loved weekend brunch ritual before a small-bar nightcap.

A glamorous harbour city of glossy fine dining, fresh seafood and buzzing multicultural neighbourhoods. Feast on Sydney rock oysters and barramundi, graze the Asian eateries of Chinatown and Cabramatta, and book a waterfront table with knockout views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge at sunset.

New Zealand’s biggest city blends Pacific, Asian and European flavours, backed by superb seafood and nearby wine country. Sample fresh fish and green-lipped mussels, browse the harbourside markets and food halls, then ferry across to Waiheke Island for a long, sun-drenched vineyard lunch.

New Zealand’s compact capital punches far above its weight, packed with craft-coffee roasters, craft breweries and inventive restaurants down every laneway. Its cafe scene rivals any in the world, and the buzzing weekly harbourside market showcases the surrounding region’s excellent produce and catch.

Tasmania’s food-obsessed capital thrives on cool-climate produce, from oysters and ocean-fresh salmon to single-malt whisky and pinot noir. The Saturday Salamanca Market overflows with local fare, and the famous MONA museum stages lavish festivals celebrating the island’s cuisine and drink.

Queensland’s sunny capital has blossomed into a serious food city, with riverside dining, buzzing South Bank and a warm-climate love of fresh seafood and produce. Its diverse suburbs serve up some of Australia’s best Vietnamese, Thai and modern Australian fare year-round.

The garden city of the South Island has rebuilt around inventive eateries, laneway bars and the excellent Riverside Market food hall. It is the gateway to the Canterbury Plains and their superb lamb and cheese, and to the acclaimed pinot noir of nearby Waipara.

Isolated but sun-blessed, Western Australia’s capital pairs a laid-back cafe scene with superb seafood and the wineries of the nearby Swan Valley. Historic Fremantle’s markets and the fresh daily catch of the Indian Ocean anchor a relaxed, quality-driven food and coffee culture.

New Zealand’s adventure capital is a surprising foodie hub, from its legendary Fergburger to polished lakeside fine dining. The surrounding Central Otago region produces world-class pinot noir and stone fruit, best enjoyed on a leisurely vineyard lunch with sweeping alpine and lake views.

The tropical gateway to the reef serves fresh seafood, barramundi and exotic tropical fruit grown in the surrounding Atherton Tablelands. Its buzzing night markets and breezy esplanade dining make the most of the balmy, laid-back far-north Queensland climate and multicultural mix.

The Top End capital boasts Australia’s most Asian-influenced food scene, best devoured at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Sizzling laksa, satay and tropical produce reflect the city’s closeness to Southeast Asia and its richly multicultural, tropical-lifestyle population.

Beyond the famous beaches, the Gold Coast has grown a stylish dining scene of beachfront restaurants, craft breweries and buzzing Broadbeach eateries. The lush green hinterland close by adds farm-to-table produce, boutique wineries and lively weekend farmers’ markets to the mix.

Western Australia’s premier wine region pairs celebrated cabernet and chardonnay with gourmet local produce, from artisan cheese and chocolate to freshwater marron. Spend unhurried days touring the cellar doors dotted between world-class surf beaches and towering karri forests.

A short, scenic ferry from Auckland, this sun-soaked island is dotted with boutique vineyards, olive groves and clifftop restaurants. Spend a lazy day hopping between cellar doors, a glass of syrah in hand, gazing out over vineyards that tumble down to turquoise bays.

New Zealand’s Scottish-flavoured southern city offers a hearty food scene, characterful craft beer and its famous cheese rolls, plus easy access to the wildlife-rich Otago Peninsula. Its historic pubs, student energy and cool-climate produce give it a cosy, distinctive edge.