A Gourmet Guide To Spring In Australia

Fall into step with the flavours of the season. From breezy beachside bars to sun-dappled vineyards and places to stock up your picnic basket, here’s where to get your foodie fix this spring.

The forecast is sunny this spring with vibrant wining and dining experiences that shrug off the grey of winter and make the most of the season.

Pretty-as cafes

Cafe dining is a national pastime in Australia and springtime makes the proposition of embracing an early morning outing all the more inviting.

Hazelhurst Cafe

Hazelhurst Cafe screams spring, with bunches of blooms, pots of upturned paint and trailing plants setting the scene for the colourful cafe, an offshoot of Hazelhurst arts centre, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

Sit on a lipstick-pink table on the terrace to enjoy a light lunch of crispy duck salad, spritzer on the side.

an al fresco dining setup at Hazelhurst Cafe — Hazelhurst Cafe has a chic and airy al fresco dining setup.

Little Bay

Beguiling from every angle, Little Bay is a light, bright cafe that is all swing chairs and sunshine just metres away from Perth’s Watermans Bay. Fill your keep cup at the coffee window and sit with your toes in the sand, or settle in for Turkish eggs and peach bellinis.

Laneway Specialty Coffee

Laneway Specialty Coffee is a microcosm of modern Darwin, with its motley mix of sunburned backpackers and laid-back locals. Much like Darwin itself, the cafe in Parap is surrounded by jungle-green foliage. Order the smashed avo on sourdough.

Gourmet restaurants

Springtime fare will be taking centre stage on menus around the country and now is the perfect time to try somewhere new.

Ippin Japanese Dining

Ippin Japanese Dining is the new 140-seater oasis in West Village in Brisbane’s bustling West End.

This temple to traditional Japanese fare overlooks lush gardens in a space that is as beautifully conceived as its bento boxes and sashimi platters.

a hand holding sashimi using chopsticks — Dine authentic Japanese cuisine at Ippin Japanese Dining.

The Source

Lunch or dinner at Mona’s swish restaurant The Source is as immersive as a visit to the museum itself.

There are living table runners made from moss and herbs, cutlery and chairs worth coveting and dreamy views over Hobart’s River Derwent. Best for dishes such as wallaby tartare and crab risotto that celebrate Tassie’s terroir.

a plate of food at The Source — Feast on healthy dishes at The Source. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Loulou Bistro

Join Lavender Bay locals at neighbourhood bistro Loulou to fantasise about your next visit to France over quiche du jour, salade frisée and a glass of rosé.

You can also procure provisions from the boulangerie (bakery) and traiteur (deli) for a chic-nic in nearby Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden .

the bar interior at Loulou Bistro — Pull up a chair at Loulou Bistro. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Restaurants with rooms

Once spring arrives the desire to hit the road and explore dials up a notch. Pair your dining with your accommodation and make it an even more memorable spring getaway at any of these restaurants with rooms.

Bangalay Dining

Visit Bundanon art museum (also home to Arthur Boyd’s Studio) on the NSW South Coast and then slow down on your way back to Sydney with a stay at Bangalay luxury villas.

Enjoy a set menu curated by executive chef Simon Evans at hatted restaurant Bangalay Dining or order a gourmet pasta pack.

a table-top view of Bangalay Dining — Bangalay Dining is a firm Shoalhaven fave.

The Wild Flower Bar & Dining

The abundant kitchen garden at Bells at Killcare informs the menu made up of ‘food of the sun’ at The Wild Flower Bar & Dining. Stick to the seasonal theme with a post-prandial walk to see the wildflowers in nearby Bouddi National Park.

Cocktails on the menu at Wild Flower Bar + Dining, Killcare — The cocktails are fresh and pack a punch at Wild Flower Bar & Dining. (Image: Nikki To)

Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel

See what degustation Robin Wickens and team rustle up from their kitchen garden’s spring harvest at Wickens at the Royal Mail Hotel . Sleep well in one of the Dunkeld property’s luxe rooms or cottages at the foothills of Victoria’s Grampians/Gariwerd.

Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel — Dine at Wickens in the Royal Mail Hotel for a memorable meal this spring. (Image: Emily Weaving)

Beachside bars

Sundowners and warm spring nights are a match made in heaven which makes these beachside bars the perfect sunset setting.

Pavilion Mooloolaba

The framed views of Mooloolaba Beach make a bigger statement than any artwork at the Pavilion Mooloolaba . It’s the perfect place to perch and people-watch over cocktails at Sunset Hour (weekdays from 3–5pm).

55 North

Manly Pacific engaged Luchetti Krelle to mix things up in Manly with 55 North , the coolest new cocktail lounge on the east coast.

Bunker down in a banquette in the marvellously maximalist space, which is all soft mauves, terrazzo tiling and toast and terracotta tones.

the bar interior of 55 North at Manly Pacific — 55 North in Manly is the new beachside bar of our dreams.

The Shorehouse

It’s all seagulls and salty air at The Shorehouse , one of the best places for a bevvy in Perth. The Swanbourne locale gets kudos for its award-winning wine list and an in-between menu of small bites such as salted cod and potato croquettes. It’s a great place to bend the elbow while watching the sunset.

Agritourism

From farm-grown picnic hamper supplies to greenhouse production tours, agritourism is delivering fruit of the earth experiences that go down a treat come spring.

Upland Farm

Check into one of Upland Farm’s four serene cabins located on a working cattle farm in Western Australia’s emerging town of Denmark.

Order a picnic hamper, packed with goodies from local growers and producers, to enjoy under the property’s towering karri trees. Or roll out a blanket on the grass at nearby Singlefile Wines and graze over a wine tasting.

picnic at Upland Farm — Take advantage of the delicious product on offer. (Image: Rachel Claire)

The Agrarian Kitchen

Learn about no-dig methods, composting and greenhouse production during a tour of the walled garden at The Agrarian Kitchen , where patients at the former psychiatric hospital used to exercise. Enjoy the garden’s very ingredients harvested fresh for your lunch at this award-winning institution in the Tasmanian town of New Norfolk.

Finniss River Lodge

Time your visit to Finniss River Lodge to coincide with the start of peak barra-fishing season in September.

You can then enjoy a luxe stay on the working Top End cattle farm, which is defined by a gourmet dining experience overseen by head chef Lachlan Raineri.

a glass of cocktail on the table at Finniss River Lodge — Sip cocktails at Finniss River Lodge. (Image: Richard Lyons)

Rooftop bars

Where else can you see spring bloom from above? Position yourself in one of the country’s top rooftop bars and see the city change season before your eyes.

Charlie’s of Darwin

Finding the hidden doorway to Charlie’s of Darwin is half the fun. The NT capital’s first gin bar takes visitors on a wild ride, with creative dishes such as croc dumplings providing a true taste of the Territory. Order Charlie’s margaritas to enjoy on the terrace festooned with colourful lanterns.

W Brisbane – WET Deck

It’s not technically on the rooftop. But WET Deck on level 4 of the W Brisbane deserves a big-up for its views over the serpentine Brisbane River, which is emblematic of the city’s ongoing revival.

Aster

Cocktails under an open sky are quintessential in Sydney over the springtime.

Aster is the sky-high bar set atop the InterContinental Sydney , which has undergone a multimillion-dollar refurbishment and boasts views over all the icons of Sydney Harbour.

Vineyard lunches

A winery lunch is always a good idea and it’s an even better one in springtime. Where else will you get such a specialised wine pairing to your meal? Sign us up!

T’Gallant Vineyard

T’Gallant Vineyard has reopened its doors on the Mornington Peninsula after a refurbishment.

hands reaching for the pizza at T'Gallant — The menu here is designed to share. (Image: Griffin Simm)

Enjoy rectangular slabs of wood-fired pizza paired with a crisp white in the sun-soaked La Barraca dining space overlooking rolling hills embroidered with vines.

a group of people dining at T’Gallant Vineyard — Bond over pizza at T’Gallant Vineyard. (Image: Griffin Simm)

Lowe Family Wine Co

Lunch at the Lowe Family Wine Co estate is a lavish yet low-key affair relying on ingredients sourced from the kitchen garden and wines produced at the Mudgee region vineyard. All The Zin House dishes pair perfectly with drops bearing the Lowe Family Wine Co label.

Nepenthe

The best seat in the house for a tasting is in the Barrel Room at the newly reimagined cellar door at Nepenthe wines in the Adelaide Hills. You can also opt for a self-guided tasting paired with a plate of charcuterie on the estate’s lovely manicured lawns.

Foodie trails

You can taste the flavours of the season at any number of markets, food festivals, and local foodie trails around the nation but if you need somewhere to start, we have three top tips for you…

Kiama Farmers Market

Start your food tour of the NSW South Coast with a visit to the Kiama Farmers Market , which has a cult following. Pick up some pantry staples at this one-stop-shop or go further afield to visit producers such as The Pines Pantry or Buena Vista Farm, which runs a roster of cooking classes.

Noosa Country Food Trail

Pack your picnic hamper with everything from farm-fresh eggs to local wood-smoked bacon, oyster mushrooms, goat’s cheese and ginger beer when you devise your own self-drive itinerary along the Noosa Country Food Trail route.

Tasting Trail Tasmania

Connect the dots between some of Tassie’s artisan producers while road-tripping around the north-west of the island state. The producers along the self-guided Tasting Trail range from truffle farms to cider houses, dairy doors and a raspberry farm.

Raspberry picking — Find fresh raspberries on Tasmania’s foodie trail.

The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

1. Practice mindfulness

Hamilton Gallery, the grampians — Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

2. Indulge in self-care

two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains — Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

3. Embrace nature

Boroka Lookout, the grampians — Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

4. Prioritise Rest

outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill — Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

5. Engage Your Senses

Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down — Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

6. Connect and reconnect

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.