There’s nothing like Australia!
This month’s travel section is full of sights and tastes from destinations all around Australia, after all ‘there’s nothing like Australia’.
There’s also some great prizes up for grabs. Kiwis love holidaying in Australia more than any other place on the planet, so don’t forget to enter into the draw for a Gourmet trip to Sydney and the Hunter Valley.
Discover the town of Orange in New South Wales
Succulent cherries, sweet honey, fine wines, olives and a wide range of exceptional farm gate produce used by local chefs – this the terroir of a very agreeable area of the New South Wales Central Tablelands – Orange.
The town of Orange is very fortunate to be under the wing of Mount Canobolas whose heady heights attract rain for lush, arable land with excellent growing conditions stone fruit including cherries, apricots, peaches and plums. Ironically, the area doesn’t produce oranges as the climate isn’t right for them – Major Thomas Mitchell named the city Orange after Prince William of Orange in 1846.
Canobolas comes from the local Aboriginal Wiradjuri word for ‘two shoulders’ and this rain-giving mountain has always been of great significance in the area. At its base, Lake Canobolas is a place for watersports and picnics utilising some of the delicious local produce.
More than 50 wineries and 23 cellar doors deliver excellent cool climate wines from vineyards planted at between 600 metres and 1,100 metres. Follow the Orange wine trail to cellar doors such as Printhie, Angullong, Ross Hill, La Colline, Highland Heritage Estate, Canobolas Smith, Lidster and Bloodwood.
Climbing and Rolling are two distinctive Orange wine labels to look for in wine stores all over Australia. Into beer or cider? Look for the Hopping Mad Brewery label and Small Acres Cyder.
Fresh Produce
Hazelnuts, cheese, olive oils, venison, duck, snails – the area is a wonderful food bowl with plenty of opportunities to taste and try on the food and wine trails, at the cafes and restaurants and at the Farmers Markets on the second Saturday of each month. If you can, fit in a demonstration with chefs at The Orange Regional Cooking School. Also check out Orange Food Week and Orange Wine Week.
Self-catering? Visit Manners & Borg for fresh meat and pre-prepared meals including curries and tagines made here by legendary chef Michael Manners.
Eating & Drinking
Head to Belgravia at Union Bank, a wine bar and wine store with food and wine matching done for you – think chilli salt squid and a glass of Angullong Sauvignon Blanc.
Lolli Redini is an icon for its food, wine list and colourful contemporary setting, Bistro Ceello features local dishes served in a relaxed atmosphere and new in town is Fiorini’s Ristorante Italiano.
There’s nothing like a long lunch at a vineyard and Racine Restaurant at La Colline Vineyard dishes up country fare using produce from within a 100 kilometre radius. On your travels call in at Millthorpe for the hatted Tonic Restaurant, Basalt Wine Bar + Dining and La
Enter to win one of 2 Farro Fresh hampers packed with gourmet Australian products.
Hi Helen,
It seems you really enjoyed your time in Cairns, we can take Cairns for granted when you live here but saying that we still enjoy all the great dinning locations.
I had lunch at Skybury a few weeks ago and it was fantastic, also next time you are in Cairns be sure to try the Waterbar and Grill at the Pier, they have great food and is always good value.
Hi Helen, love the article. Agree Winter QLD weather is perfect warm and dry, summer is very different heat and humidity do not mix well.
Re: NZ Yoghurt have you tried Piako Yoghurt available at Dulcie May Kitchen in Mt Eden http://www.piakoyoghurt.co.nz/ . The website states ‘Piako Gourmet Yoghurt is based on the thick creamy Australian greek style yoghurt found in Queensland.’ Worth a try.
What I think someone (maybe me) needs to do is open a gourmet creamery, or at least supply Auckland with quality cream. Do you know anyone?
All the best,
Martin.
I too have recently returned from North Queensland. What a magical place – so enjoyed it. Rustys was a sheer delight and the tropical fruit farms, coffe plantations, Mungalli Creek, the wineries and so much to sample and get indulged with in Marreba was s rea joy. The vairety of restaurnats and eating places in Cairns was divine – so spoit for choice. The reef and rainforests were stunning. The temperature was perfect – loved the heat and also the pace over there. Be wonderful if you could take a tour group of us Foodlovers over ther – would be sio much fun!!
Feel homesick for the place already.
Keep up the great work. Regars
Deb
Ginny the heat is actually fine – there was little if no humidity so it wasn’t exhausting. It felt quite lovley.
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Hey Helen
That all sounds fantastic – except the 30 degrees thing – there ain’t now way this gal would be comfortable in 30 degrees!
Ginny
Hiya from Cairns! I went to the launch of the Skybury Coffee cafe at the Cairns Domestic Airport this morning and it was amazing – the cafe looks sooooo good and the coffee smelt so wonderful they were turning people away before they got the doors open even ha ha ! You’ll just have to sample it for yourself when you come back here -) cheers Mia.
Yes Salsa is next to Harrisons and looked really good.
Interesting that there is a comment about NZ emulating Europe – there are definitely chefs in north Queensland still doing the same. I just don’t understand why they are doing that and I did make the comment. I guess that is why places like NuNu and Hanuman stand out as there food is suited to the region.
Helen, you lucky thing!! I’m so jealous of your fabulous trip!
Helen, there is a lovely new book on the shelves at the moment called “Salsa” by Rhys Bawden & Bill Conway – of the Salsa Bar & Grill in Port Douglas. The food looks sensational – I think the guest international judge of the recent Metro restaurant awards was referring to the style of food presented in this book when he wondering why NZ was emulating Europe and not Asia which Australia was doing very well……I reckon it might have something to do with the tropical style produce available in Aus that we just cant grow here….
Oh also forgot to say that if you do decide to have any spa treatment and are considering having an outdoor one then do pick your timing.
I was halfway through a facial on the rooftop of Angsana when the PA system started for a wedding at a venue next door. As they clapped in the “happy couple” I started to itch and twitch rather than enjoying my treatment.