Food & Wine Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

No journey down under is complete without delving into the pleasures of food and wine. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your experience.

New Zealand produce is featured in the new, home grown cuisine. Restaurants are joining with farmers, growers and suppliers to bring the best local produce to the table. Original dishes are using quail, pigeon, angus beef, venison, fresh seafood and lamb, local fruit and vegetables.
Degustation is the art of tasting food and special degustation menus are popular at Auckland's best restaurants.
The Maori are the native people of New Zealand, whose traditional feast is steamed in an underground oven called a hangi. This cooking method makes everything flavourful and tender - lamb, fish, kumara, potatoes and pumpkin. You can enjoy a lively Maori feast and concert at hotels in Rotorua and Lake Taupo on the North Island.
Australia's new cuisine is a fusion of Asian and European influences using Australia's seafood, meats and produce. You'll find the new Australian cuisine at restaurants like Sydney's Banc and the Glass Brasserie in the Sydney Hilton where table side preparation and service add to the flair.
The Kangaroo meat industry has flourished over the last 20 years. It is very low in fat and excellent as a steak, roast, kebab and stir fry. You'll find kangaroo on restaurant menus and aboard cruise ships serving the region.

Internationally Acclaimed Wineries

In the last 20 to 30 years Australian and New Zealand wines have drawn international attention winning numerous awards at wine shows at home and around the globe.
With 12 wine regions in New Zealand and 44 in Australia, you can enjoy a local wine with every course of your meal.
- Start with an Australian sparkling red or a sherry.
- Enjoy red and white with main courses, perhaps a shiraz or sauvignon blanc.
- Finish with a splendid fortified muscat, port or brandy.
Many wineries are open to the public so you can learn about production and enjoy tasting the different varieties. These regions are the most prominent:
- New Zealand - Nelson/Marlborough near Picton, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Otago/Southland near Dunedin.
- Australia - Barossa Valley, South Australia; The Hunter Valley 170 km from Sydney; Yarra Valley 50 km from Melbourne and Margaret River Wine Region, 240 km from Perth
Food and wine vacations can include a trek of New Zealand's wine districts and the food and wine trails of South Australia. Or plan to attend a food and wine event during your stay. These are numerous festivals and shows throughout the year.