Travels with What Katie Ate

Who? Katie Quinn Davies: Photographer, food stylist, cookbook author

She first piqued the interest of culinary-obsessed Australians with her beautiful food blog, What Katie Ate. Here, Sydney-based Katie tells us about her favourite Aussie travel experiences, past and future.

As a child growing up in Dublin, our family holidays were…
spent with my Mum and Dad in north Wales, and Manchester and Kent in England, where a lot of my relatives lived. We would get the ferry over from Dublin and travel around the UK by car. My aunt owned the most beautiful 13th-century farmhouse in Kent and I used to adore spending time there as all the floors were wonky and there were hidden staircases. It was magical, apart from the fact that a lot of spiders resided there.

Now when I have spare time, I head straight to…
the Barossa, without a doubt, because of its amazingly friendly, warm and welcoming people. I have made so many close friends there. And there’s the food and wine, of course! Barossa shiraz (6) is my favourite wine. I also really respect their support of local food producers.

The one thing I always pack is…
a hairdryer. As sad as that sounds. My fringe never co-operates without one. And on a less vain note, my Bose mini sound system (3).

My last holiday read was…
I rarely get time to read when I’m on holiday; I tend to opt for larger cities, and I prefer to get out and explore what these amazingly vibrant places have to offer.

My roadtrip essential is…
a decent playlist on my iPhone, I can’t travel without music, or my cameras.

I’m definitely a…
city sort of person, but I do like escaping to the country, too. Melbourne (5) is my favourite city to spend a three- to four-night break. It has an incredible array of bars and great restaurants.

My most memorable Australian food experience…
was dinner at Orana (1) in Adelaide. It’s one of the most incredible gastronomic experiences I’ve ever had! Mainly due to their use of Aussie ingredients.

I’ll never forget the time…
I was invited to qualia on Hamilton Island (2) to cover one of its ‘Great Barrier Feast’ weekends. I headed up a day or two earlier and was jetted off to a private island in the Whitsundays, where I was able to spend all afternoon on my own, along with a bottle of Champagne, a sun lounger, fresh seafood and my camera to capture it all.

My next Aussie holiday will be…
Uluru (4). I have always wanted to go ever since watching the Beds are Burning music video by Midnight Oil when I was about 14. I became infatuated with it, I would love to see more of the Red Centre.

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.

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