AUSTRALIA CULINARY TOUR
14 DAYS FROM CAIRNS (GIMUY) TO BRISBANE

This 14-day self-drive food and wine itinerary celebrates Australia's most delicious destinations along the Pacific Coast Way. Begin in Cairns exploring tropical flavours and the iconic Kuranda experience, then drive to the Atherton Tablelands for farm visits, artisan producers, and cool-climate cuisine. Continue to Mission Beach for rainforest dining and fresh seafood, then journey through coastal Queensland — Townsville, Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton — discovering local food scenes, historic towns, and regional specialities. Finish on the Fraser Coast in Hervey Bay with whale watching, sunset cruises, and celebrated seafood restaurants.

This itinerary weaves together guided experiences, self-guided culinary exploration, and scenic drives through one of Australia's most rewarding food trails.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

CAIRNS (GIMUY)

Arrival Evening at Leisure. Suggested Dining Experiences.

Prawn Star — fresh seafood aboard a traditional fishing trawler at Cairns Marlin Marina
Ochre — modern Australian cuisine with tempura gulf bugs and char-grilled kangaroo
The Dairy by Mungalli — ice cream and yoghurt from Mungalli Creek Dairy
Salt House — cocktails, wine, and sustainable seafood
Three Wolves — cocktails, whisky, craft beer, and wine in a stylish laneway bar

Full Day Classic Kuranda — Gold Class

- Kuranda Scenic Railway through rainforest with tunnels and bridges
- Kuranda Village exploration
- Army Duck Rainforest Tour with Tropical Fruit Orchard
- Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
- Koala & Wildlife Park — hand feed kangaroos and wallabies
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway — 7.5km gondola over World Heritage rainforest

Churrasco Dinner Experience at Bushfire Flame Grill

- Brazilian-inspired flame grill with metre-long skewers of Australian meats. All-you-can-eat rodizio service with accompanying dishes

ATHERTON TABLELANDS

Self-Guided Exploration

Self-guided culinary exploration of the region's farm-to-table experiences. Begin at Mungalli Creek Dairy, where the café overlooks Johnston River Gorge and offers biodynamic cheeses, fresh scones, and ice cream made from local produce. Stop at Gentle Annie Lookout for panoramic views and a picnic among rolling green hills. Explore Yungaburra's heritage character with coffee at Whistlestop Café or a meal at the historic Yungaburra Hotel. Visit The Humpy in Tolga for native produce, exotic fruits, and regional delicacies. Complete your journey at Mt Uncle Distillery in Walkamin to sample handcrafted spirits and liqueurs in a relaxed farm setting.

MISSION BEACH

Self-guided exploration of Mission Beach's dining scene

Start at Bingil Bay Café (open Tuesday to Sunday) tucked into the rainforest for homemade breakfast and morning coffee. Continue to Innisfail Seafood (open Tuesday to Saturday) for fresh wild-caught local seafood including prawns, reef fish, and oysters. Visit Murdering Point Winery at Silkwood, where tropical fruits and native ingredients are transformed into distinctive wines, ports, and liqueurs. Finish at Plenty Restaurant (open Thursday to Sunday) overlooking the Coral Sea with modern Asian cuisine celebrating tropical abundance and seasonal produce.

TOWNSVILLE

Self-Guided Exploration

Explore the vibrant coastal city with its modern architecture, heritage buildings, and bustling outdoor cafés and restaurants. Walk to the top of Castle Hill for city views, stroll the Strand Esplanade, visit Reef HQ Aquarium and Billabong Sanctuary Wildlife Park. Optional day trip to Magnetic Island for snorkelling, kayaking, and spotting resident koalas and rock wallabies.

AIRLIE BEACH

Self-Guided Exploration

Experience the Whitsundays hub where fresh Queensland seafood, wood-fired pizza, Asian-inspired dishes, Italian favourites, and classic pub fare blend with tropical relaxation. Stroll the 5-kilometre coastal walkway from Cannonvale Beach to Airlie Beach Lagoon, passing cafés, restaurants, and ocean views. Enjoy coffee overlooking the lagoon, leisurely lunch beside the water, or sunset cocktails before dinner. Live music creates a laid-back atmosphere perfect for tropical dining experiences.

MACKAY

Self-Guided Exploration

Discover this relaxed tropical city's cosmopolitan art scene at the award-winning Artspace Gallery. Cycle or walk the Bluewater Trail linking Mackay's attractions including the Mackay Regional Botanical Gardens, Town Beach, and Bluewater Lagoon. Explore the city's unique Art Deco architecture. Optional excursions include Cape Hillsborough National Park to see wallabies on the beach, Eungella National Park for platypus diving, and the Mackay Botanic Gardens with café and gallery overlooking wildlife-filled lagoons.

ROCKHAMPTON

Self-Guided Exploration

Explore Queensland's Beef Capital, known for six bull statues representing local cattle breeds. Visit the Rockhampton Heritage Village for a step back in time, the 130-year-old Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, and the Rockhampton Zoo. Optional attractions include Mount Archer National Park for native plants and wildflowers, the Capricorn Caves (23km north), and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre on ancient tribal sites. Wednesday and Friday nights feature rodeo action at the Great Western Hotel.

CAPRICORN COAST REGION

Self-Guided Exploration

En route to Rockhampton, explore Cape Palmerston National Park with sandy dunes, unspoilt beaches, and Mount Funnel (344 metres) offering breathtaking views. Visit the Capricorn Caves to explore limestone formations and spot insectivorous bats. Stop in Yeppoon, the gateway to the Capricorn Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef, with its village charm, restaurants, shops, and galleries. Explore Figtree and Ross Creeks to spot Black and Little Red flying foxes, or dine at Keppel Bay Sailing Club with views across Rosslyn Bay to Great Keppel Island.

FRASER COAST REGION

Self-Guided Exploration

En route to Hervey Bay, explore the fertile countryside surrounding Childers with boutique vineyards and tropical produce. Visit Vintner's Secret Vineyard for afternoon tea and landscaped gardens, Ohana Winery and Exotic Fruits for tropical agriculture and handcrafted liqueurs, Hill of Promise Winery to meet winemakers, and Brierley Wines on a sandstone ridge overlooking Kullogum State Forest. Optional stops include Agnes Waters and The Town of 1770 (historic James Cook landing site) with Paperbark Forest Walk, Getaway Garden Café, and Chinaman's Beach. Experience Lady Musgrave Island, a coral cay with a navigable lagoon and abundant marine life. Visit Bundaberg Rum Distillery for tastings and behind-the-scenes tours, or explore Mon Repos Turtle Centre (November-March) for nesting and hatching sea turtles. Stop in Gin Gin for Saturday markets, historic Courthouse gallery, and Goodnight Scrub National Park.

HERVEY BAY

Milbi Sunset Tour

- 1.5-hour cultural experience with a Butchulla Aboriginal guide
- Cruise the Great Sandy Marine Park
- Step ashore on Weenandin (Round Island) to hear Butchulla People's legendary tales
- Enjoy didgeridoo music, champagne, and fresh king prawns with canapés and a sunset dining experience

Self-guided culinary exploration of Hervey Bay's food scene

Start breakfast at Spotted Goat Kitchen in Torquay or Enzo's on the Beach with ocean views. Explore fresh seafood at Maddigan's Seafood or Banksia Seafood and Grill. Discover the celebrated Hervey Bay scallop at local restaurants. For refined dining, visit Odyssey Bistro or The Dock Hervey Bay for sunset drinks and share-style dining overlooking the marina. Explore local markets and producers for further regional flavour discoveries. Pair fresh seafood with chilled Australian wine or locally brewed beer while watching the bay transform in evening light.

SCENIC DRIVE: HERVEY BAY TO BRISBANE AIRPORT

Travel through Maryborough, steeped in history with striking art, statues, and heritage buildings. We suggest you take time for visits to Cherry Tree Lane and the Mary Poppins statue at Queens Park, birthplace of author P.L. Travers. Continue to Gympie, the town that saved Queensland through gold discovery, surrounded by charming historical buildings. Drive through Sunshine Coast townships including Noosa, Mooloolaba, Caloundra, Eumundi (with Saturday/Wednesday markets), and Yandina (Ginger Factory). Explore Glass House Mountains National Park with heritage-listed peaks and panoramic lookouts, or visit Australia Zoo in Beerwah before arriving at Brisbane Airport.

ACCOMMODATIONS 

Cairns/Gimuy (2 nights): Cairns Harbourside Hotel - Standard King Room
Direct Travel Bonus: AUD$100 Food & Beverage credit per room per stay

Atherton Tablelands (2 nights): Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat - Studio Treehouse 

Mission Beach (2 nights): Licuala Lodge- Superior King Room 

Townsville (1 night): Hotel Grand Chancellor Townsville - Standard King Room
Direct Travel Bonus: AUD$100 Food & Beverage credit per room per stay

Airlie Beach (2 nights): Coral Sea Resort - Garden Twin Room
Direct Travel Bonus: AUD$100 Food & Beverage credit per room per stay

Mackay (1 night): Rydges Mackay Suites - Studio King
Direct Travel Bonus: AUD$100 Food & Beverage credit per room per stay

Rockhampton (1 night): The Edge Apartment Hotel - Hotel Room

Hervey Bay (2 nights): Ramada Encore by Wyndham Whale Cove Hervey Bay - 1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom Apartment

OTHER INCLUSIONS

- Private car/driver transfer (Cairns Airport to Cairns hotel)
- All guided experiences, entry fees, and culinary experiences as specified
- 12-day car rental (Avis Standard), with unlimited kilometres, Loss Damage Waiver and Third Party Property coverage, 24-hour roadside assistance
Vehicle Registration Fee, Administration Fee, GST, Zero Excess included

Why This Tour

This itinerary is designed for food and wine enthusiasts who want to experience Australia's culinary diversity along one of its most scenic routes. You'll progress from tropical Cairns through cool-climate farmland to coastal seafood destinations, discovering farm-to-table experiences, artisan producers, regional wines, and celebrated restaurants. The self-drive format provides flexibility to linger at favourite stops, while guided experiences (Kuranda, Milbi Sunset Tour) and suggested dining routes ensure you don't miss essential regional flavours. 

From fresh tropical fruits and handcrafted spirits to celebrated seafood, local wines, and Aboriginal culinary traditions, this journey showcases Queensland's remarkable food culture across 14 unforgettable days.

This itinerary represents the perfect start for your Australia foodie adventure. Whether you'd like to extend your time in a particular region, swap activities, upgrade accommodations, or add entirely new experiences, let's work together to design a vacation that's authentically yours.