Fresh Seafood

The world's largest island naturally has access to some serious seafood! The sparkling waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans mean that some of the best seafood in the world is available fresh in Australia. From rock lobsters, oysters, prawns (shrimp), abalone, scallops, tuna, salmon, bream, bass, cod, perch and the mighty barramundi, the choice is endless. Prices for seafood vary dramatically depending on the type and presentation. However, 'still swimming' fresh is generally how they are prepared!

Australia's leading chefs

In Australia, as with many regions in the world, leading chefs have taken on celebrity status. The special gift of many Australian chefs, however, is the ability to create an innovative and diverse 'cross-fertilisation' of cooking styles. Combining eastern and western influences, Australia's leading chefs are producing a fusion of tastes that are the envy of the world. From Stephanie Alexander's provincial French, to Tetsuya Wakuda's remarkable combination of Japanese and western, Australia is considered a shining light in the culinary world.

Australian native foods

One of the most exciting directions in Australian cuisine has been the recent and increasing use of native foods. Used for thousands of years by Australia's indigenous population, native foods often referred to as 'bush tucker', include bush tomatoes, seeds, nuts, lemon myrtle, even fungi! Kangaroo and emu are also popular as both are low in fat and high in fibre. The fusion of more common ingredients with native foods has opened up an entirely new direction for Australian fare.

Australian wines

Australian winemaking goes as far back as European discovery in 1788. Since then, Australia has not only become one of the world's leading producers of wine, but also one of the best. Year after year, Australian red and white wines rank among the best at international wine shows around the world. Every Australian capital city offers winegrowing areas nearby and with over 1000 wineries, the chance to sample these remarkable wines at the cellar door is a must for any wine lover. Most wineries offer an international shipping service.

Australian wine (statistics)

It seems the world can't get enough of Australian wine. Producing over one million tonnes of quality wine grapes each year, Australia is one of the top 10 wine producers in the world. Exports have grown from practically zero in the early 1980s, to over $A1.5 billion in 2000. This represents an export amount of around 300 million litres every year! The United Kingdom is our biggest market, followed by the US, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. Cheers!

Barossa Valley (South Australia)

Located less than an hour from Adelaide in South Australia, the Barossa Valley is arguably the best-known and most fascinating winegrowing region in the country. With a history dating back to the 1840s, the wine grown in this broad valley represents around 10 per cent of the wine produced in Australia. The Barossa has a similar winegrowing 'profile' to the famous Bordeaux region in France, and produces wine ranging from quality Rhine rieslings that sell for less than $A10, to Australia's (and one of the world's) best red wines - Penfolds Grange Hermitage.

Australian produce

Australia's climatic diversity means that we can grow a huge range of fruit and vegetables and enjoy an almost limitless abundance of healthy, fresh food. Most fruits are readily available including oranges, mandarins, lemons, nectarines, pineapples, pears, apples, berries, grapes, peaches, apricots, and mangoes. Custard apples, bananas, strawberries, blackberries, rockmelon and watermelon are also common and delicious, not to mention a huge range of vegetables. Whatever your heart desires is generally available!

The Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

Located a short drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is known around the world for its remarkable wines. While its 40-plus wineries represent only two per cent of Australia's wine output, the quality of the wine produced is world class. The quality of the wine is the result of excellent semillon and shiraz grapes that are grown in wonderful limestone soils. 'Complex,' 'soft' and 'full of fruit' are just some of the words used to describe the wines of this region.

Australian dairy

The dairy industry is still one of Australia's leading rural industries with exports of around $A3 billion dollars each year. From beautiful fresh milk - the result of rich pasture lands - to locally made cheeses that range from cheddar to fabulous stilton and brie, Australia's dairy range is among the best in the world. Our isolation has been an advantage in keeping Australia free from many of the crippling diseases that dairy farmers face around the world. To maintain this purity, Australia continues to be stringent on health quarantine issues.

Yarra Valley (Victoria)

Located 35 kilometres east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of the most dynamic winegrowing regions in the country, and also one of the most historical as grapes have been grown here since 1838. The famous French champagne house Moet et Chandon chose the Yarra Valley to grow its chardonnay grapes for its Australian headquarters, Domaine Chandon Australia. Beside the world-class chardonnays produced in the region, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon are also strong here. With over 50 wineries in the area, wine lovers should put this scenic and charming wine region on their itinerary.

Australian gourmet food

Because of the extraordinary diversity of high-quality ingredients, Australia produces some of the world's best and most unusual gourmet foods. Australia's cultural diversity has created a remarkable hybrid diet which can routinely include goat's cheese, cold-pressed olive oil and buffalo-milk mozzarella, as well as kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, couscous, turmeric, polenta and star anise. Our fabulous delicatessens, food halls and yes, even supermarkets, are plentiful and full of a huge variety of fresh and delicious foods. Bon appetit!

Margaret River (Western Australia)

Once an impoverished rural area full of small dairy farms, the Margaret River region located three hours south of Perth in Western Australia, is one of the great success stories of Australian winemaking. After a scientific report in the mid 1960s identified the region's potential for wine production, Margaret River now produces more than 20 per cent of Australia's premium wine. The Leeuwin Estate, located in the heart of the growing region, also hosts world-class cultural events including performances by the London Philharmonic and Berlin State orchestras. Such is the attraction of a good drop!