100 Gourmet Experiences: AT Staff Picks

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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The Australian Traveller team couldn’t agree on the Top 100, so they took it upon themselves to give their favourite from the final list, as well as the ones they wish could have made it. Who do you side with? Log on and let us know if we all missed one too . . .

Greg Barton

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

The Great Aussie BBQ. It’s something that will always be an iconic Australian experience, but it doesn’t limit itself to being a “basic" or “non-gourmet". Yes, you can stick to the script of sausages, beer, more sausages and more beer, but if you fancy yourself as more of a Matt Moran type, there’s nothing to prevent you from barbequing a nice piece of fish and bringing it to that Masterchef level with a few more sophisticated accompaniments. For that reason alone, it’s the great social equaliser. Something that can bring all Australians together.

One That Got Away

I was quietly devastated when Eating a Pie and Sauce at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG didn’t make the Final 100. Again, it can be a simple Four’n’Twenty or dolled up to something more gourmet. I have vivid memories of bonding with my Dad as he showed me how to get that sauce onto your pie with one hand, while leaving the other hand free to drink a beer (soft drink for me at that age), all while keeping one eye on the batsmen at the crease. I hope some day to teach my son how to do the exact same thing.

Quentin Long

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Sorry, but anything that’s two days of nose-to-tail cooking of an entire pig where you learn butchery, cooking, vegetable cultivation and more cooking is just too good to be true – it has to be The Agrarian Kitchen.

One That Got Away:

Clairault Margaret River. A fabulous lunchtime restaurant in Margaret River wine country that is everything the Margaret River needs to be.

Nigel Herbert

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Taste of Tasmania. It’s the best way to spend the New Year in Australia. Full stop. If I had a magical transporter machine, I would have New Year’s in Sydney, staying at the Four Seasons, then I would roll out of bed on New Year’s Day and be magically whisked to Constitution Dock in Hobart. Where I could sit in the sun, nurse my hangover while listening to Jazz and watching the boats form the Sydney to Hobart roll in. All the while eating the world’s best oysters, matched with great wine. This is the best-known hangover recuperation session on the planet.

One That Got Away:

BBQ King in Chinatown. It’s not the best duck but it has that brutal Chinese efficiency. I think the soup nazi in Seinfeld was modelled on these guys. It’s an experience. And it is the best way to end a Friday night in Sydney.

Lisa Perkovic

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Sunnybrae Restaurant and Cooking School – George Biron wins you over with his passion for Australian produce, teaching and a good meal.

One That Got Away:

Jannei Goat Dairy – these Lithgow cheesemakers live and breathe for their produce and it shows. The goat curd is divine.

Jane Abma

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

The Turkish-gourmand delight of Ottoman Cuisine in Canberra. On my last visit there, I gave three of my senses the evening off so I could fully appreciate what was a truly orgasmic fusion of taste and smell – a sensory adventure I will never forget.

One That Got Away:

I would have to say the Fort Denison Cheese & Wine Experience – I have already given personal reviews to certain cheese-loving comrades encouraging them to do it before the year is out because it really is fascinating.

Alex Barnett

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

MoVida, because it was Great Food and an all round fantastic venue and when Nigel asked the waiter would that be enough he made a smug laugh and said “You’ll see" . . . needless to say what followed was not enough for such amazing food.

One That Got Away:

Won Ton Noodle Soup with Extra Won Tons and Egg Noodle From Cafe China in Cairns or Happy Chef on Sussex. A Sunday tradition for the past two years, it’s just great food.

Megan Russell

Favourite from the 100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences:

Nothing beats The Great Aussie BBQ during summer!

One That Got Away:

Enjoying a Sunday pub lunch – it’s gotta be a pint and parma at your favourite local pub.

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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .