8 of Australia’s best agritourism experiences
Come taste, sip, forage, pick and experience Australia’s natural bounty where nature intended – right at its source.
Aussie farmers put so much care into their produce, and many will welcome you onto their plots of land to experience life on a true-blue Australian farm. You might find yourself on a cattle station in the outback (and you’ll be surprised by the level of luxury to be found) or nestling into a secluded cabin on a family-run winery. Wake up with the sun and get hands-on with cattle mustering, sheep shearing, fruit picking and more.
On-farm experiences connect you more closely with the food you eat, and Australia offers plenty of opportunity to forage, harvest and pick your own produce. One of the most exciting is truffle hunting, where trained dogs will sniff out the prized mushroom that’s been nicknamed “black gold.” Come fruit-picking season, you can wander through a strawberry orchard and pluck the most perfectly plump berries you’ve ever tasted. And don’t forget about nuts; Australia is famous for its macadamias, grown in the warm climate of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
After you’ve feasted and frolicked through some of Australia’s best agritourism experiences, why not discover something to take home? Australia offers beautiful materials sourced from the earth and ocean – pearls, wool, cotton, leather and more. Every piece tells a different story of Australia, from pearls grown in the pristine waters of Western Australia to the softest merino wool sweaters. These are memories you can wear time and time again.
There’s one word that describes Australia’s seafood, and that’s “fresh.” Australia does fresh seafood like nowhere else; you can slurp oysters straight from their leases in the bright blue waters of the Eyre Peninsula, cheer on your guide as they dive for prized abalone in Tasmania and even take a coastal cruise complete with fresh mussels. The one thing they have in common? Seafood enjoyed fresh from its source.
Aussies often like to push the boundaries – and local brewers and distillers are no exception. Exciting ingredients (citrusy green ants, anyone?), processes and flavours are being introduced, but even more important to Australian producers is honouring the water and land that makes it all possible. Think farm-to-bottle rum made with pure sugar cane juice, delicious ciders produced entirely on-site and gin infused with only-in-Australia botanicals like quandong.
From the calming scent of lavender fields to the earthy smell of rosemary and sage, the aromas of Australia’s gardens are simply intoxicating. And these carefully grown flowers and plants aren't just beautiful – they're also key ingredients in nourishing Australian skincare products. Many Aussie skincare producers invite you into their gardens to see exactly what goes into their beauty products. It's just as nature intended.
True foodies can taste when ingredients are fresh, and nowhere does fresh better than paddock-to-plate restaurants where produce hasn't travelled miles – it's travelled mere steps from the garden outside. Many of Australia's regional restaurants (like the highly-awarded Brae) source their dishes on-site, and diners can take a garden tour to truly connect with their food prior to enjoying their meal.
Some ingredients are blessed with so many varieties, it’s best to try a little sample of each. At tasting rooms and cellar doors around the country, you’ll find incredible spreads of honey, cheese, olive oils, sea salts, pickles and more. Head to a beautiful country town apiary to taste the sweet result of honeybee hives (and even suit up to check out the hives yourself), sit down for a cheese platter that will make your mouth water and visit an organic olive farm for cold-pressed olive oils steeped in traditional methods.
