Savour the flavour and rediscover New South Wales’ food and wine scene

Hands up who’s been missing their mini-breaks across the Tasman? Well, here’s some good news, because there is light at the end of the tunnel and where better to rekindle your love affair with travel than gloriously gregarious Sydney? Whether it’s dining and shopping, or dancing and sight-seeing, now is the time to book your all-inclusive Qantas flight and enjoy all the good things the harbourside city has to offer.

Where to start? Maybe your wardrobe needs refreshing before you hit the high spots, then it’s off to Westfield Sydney for you, just a stone’s throw from Town Hall and St James Stations where high street brands rub shoulders with international offerings.

If you’d rather immerse yourself in old-world class at the Strand Arcade, the darling Victorian emporium on Pitt St in the heart of the city is home to adored Australian designers and specialty stores, and perfect for picking up souvenirs for loved ones. And don’t forget to stroll down to Paddington to suss out the latest Australian boutique designers at The Intersection.

If all this retail has rendered you ravenous – not to mention thirsty – then never fear, Sydney is home to some of the finest wining and dining options. Some ideas for starters – chances are you’ve not been to The Boathouse Rose Bay, because this elegant joint only recently opened and they’re now taking bookings for lunch, dinner or a drink on Rose Bay Marina.

Alternatively, you can offset your vacation emissions at Re, the new no-waste bar in Sydney’s lovingly restored South Eveleigh precinct, where thoughtful cocktails (nectarine and vetiver negroni anyone?) and sustainable small plates with a focus on ethical consumption can be enjoyed.

Seaside pleasures await at Porch and Parlour at Bondi Beach, for good food and coffee matched with art and music, plus you can purchase their beautiful ceramic dishes. Natural wines are poured at Dear Saint Eloise where integrity is as important to the proprietors as the impressive wine list and wholesome produce.

But there’s more to New South Wales than city life, so hire a car and enjoy the pleasant two-hour drive to picturesque Hunter Valley Wine Country. Or let a professional do the navigating and join a tour. How about making a beeline to Winmark Wines in the Hunter Valley? Danish for ‘field of vines’, this establishment opened in 1988, and a new cellar door opened in 2020 with mouth-watering wines served in their magnificent grounds which feature some impressive artworks.

Or check out new the kid on the block, family-run Comyns & Co where traditional wines like semillon and shiraz are a source of pride, as well as their more creative and emerging blends. If you’ve a hankering for a biodynamic drop , enchanting Krinklewood nestled in the Brokenback Ranges will make you wonder if you’ve been transported to Provence, with every attention given to sustainability and organic practices. As for our vegan friends, they’re well catered for at Tamburlaine Organic Wines, proud to be one of Australia’s most prolific producers of organic wines, the soil there is treated with the deepest respect.

Orange, 254km west of Sydney in the central tablelands, is another sublime spot to eat, drink and be merry. Plus Qantas has made it even easier to get there with regular flights from Sydney taking less than 1 hour to reach. Whether you chew the fat at Groundstone café in the heart of Orange, or check out The Agrestic Grocer for local ethically-sourced produce – dine in here or purchase the perfect picnic. Charred Kitchen & Bar welcomes those who favour a relaxed style of dining and, with over 400 wines and 100 beers, perhaps you’ll stay a night here?

For gourmands who enjoy their meals with a side of salt air, it’s off to the south coast for you, where you’ll want to secure a table at Bannisters by the Sea, because Rick Stein’s take on local seafood at Mollymook Beach (or also located at Port Stephens) is a must to experience at least once in your lifetime. Or for a more chilled-out meal, The Blue Swimmer beachside café and restaurant is serving hungry surfers from breakfast till dinner.

Don’t forget the wine region town of Mudgee, where fine dining at Pipeclay Pumphouse Restaurant is a heavenly homage to this fantastically fertile region. Vegans will be delighted with what’s in store for them at Secret Creek Café & Restaurant, tucked away in a tranquil gully that doubles as a wildlife sanctuary, this is a charmingly rustic and refined restaurant.

As you can see, there are endless opportunities for eating and drinking across New South Wales, and no better way to enjoy Australia than with Qantas, the perfect choice for Kiwi’s eager to embark on a break to New South Wales. Your premium choice of airline offers more inclusions, delicious inflight meals, more entertainment, and much more baggage, which you’ll surely be glad of on the way home – what with your new wardrobe and a few boxes of wine in the hold!

Sydney and New South Wales is just the ticket for Kiwi travellers hungry for travel.

For more information and to book visit the Qantas website.