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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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)

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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.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours.

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.