Chef Ben O'Donoghue gears up for an Aussie road trip of epic proportions. Ben plans to take in some of the country's most amazing destinations and indulge in some of its finest gourmet offerings. This is more than just a foodie's travelogue, and Ben is a chef who likes to get his hands dirty. Drawing inspiration from the location, its people and its produce, Ben pushes the boundaries of the local culture with his innovative food creations.
Family-friendly beaches, water activities galore and wonderful coastal and mountain views. With year-round patrolled beaches safe for children and loads of family friendly things to do and experience, the Caloundra area at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast is the perfect spot for a bucket and spade holiday.
The charming, historic towns and villages of the Blackall Range are dotted with galleries, fashion boutiques and shops selling crafts, pottery, antiques and gifts. You could snuggle up in front of an open fire in a cosy B&B, warm up with a hot chocolate in a mountain cafe or savour the fresh fruity palette of a local wine at a winery cellar door.
Geelong is less than an hour from Melbourne via the Princes Freeway. The city's waterfront is a popular attraction with historic swimming baths, an antique carousel, restaurants and cafes. Visitors take a pleasant detour to the seaside villages of the Bellarine Peninsula, which offer clean, sandy beaches, plenty of shopping, a colourful maritime history, lighthouses and the lovely historic buildings of Queenscliff.
The Grampians National Park has been 400 million years in the making. It's home to the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art in Southern Australia. The Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre, perfectly set in Halls Gap bushland, provides deep and moving insights into the history of the region’s first inhabitants. Fine local food and wines is also a key feature of the region. They can be found on the menus of fine dining restaurants in friendly towns like Hamilton, Ararat, Stawell and Halls Gap. There’s also one unforgettable dining experience – at Dunkelds award-winning Royal Mail Hotel.
Ben travels to Shepparton, a fantastic place to visit all year round. With friendly communities and a temperate climate, it's an ideal location to enjoy warm summers, just right for the outdoors, and winters, perfect for an indoor indulgence of fantastic food and wine. The Goulburn River forms the backbone and lifeblood of the region, winding its way through beautiful countryside, native forests and fertile farmlands, bringing life to the rich argicultural landscape that has made the area renowned as Australia's food bowl.
Fertile farming lands, the Great Dividing Range and alpine peaks surround the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The territory has an abundance of nature with 53 per cent of the area preserved as parks and reserves.
This week Ben travels to Canberra, where national attractions and hidden gems deliver an array of unexpected delights. The city's museums and attractions hold and share the treasures of the nation, while the surrounding region offers more than 30 wineries, historic townships, quiet coastlines, the lush Southern Highlands and the alpine roof of Australia.
This week Ben travels to Victoria's famous Philip Island, only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, boasts breathtaking natural beauty and a myriad of attractions for all ages to enjoy, from kids through to grandparents. Visitors can dine out with magnificent coastal views and choose from the many restaurants that Phillip Island offers. They can also sample an array of local seafood from the boats at San Remo, dine on Bass Strait crayfish, or island-grazed meat.
This week Ben travels to Victoria's beautiful Gippsland region, where visitors can take part in some inspiring walks in the great outdoors. There are experiences to suit every level of interest from wild overnight adventures to leisurely afternoon strolls. Where better to start than Wilsons Promontory, a haven for nature lovers, just two hours south-east of Melbourne. 'The Prom' is home to an awe-inspiring coastline with granite headlands, stunning beaches, turquoise waters as well as mountains and forests.
This week Ben travels to the Southern Highlands - a treasure trove of attractions, like award-winning restaurants and wineries, magnificent gardens, rare antiques, authentic heritage and amazing natural features. Perfectly situated midway between Sydney and Canberra and just under an hour from the scenic South Coast and Illawarra regions, Southern Highlands is probably the most accessible day and short-break destination in NSW.
This week Ben visits the Limestone Coast in south-east South Australia, an idyllic combination of beautiful beaches, stunning coastline, and irresistible food and wine. Like a giant smorgasbord, a trip to the Limestone Coast region quickly becomes a gastronomic adventure of discovery, with its famous southern rock lobster and succulent seafood harvested in the clear, cold waters of the Southern Ocean. Further inland, lush farming lands produce arguably some of the country's best meat and game.
Sea lions basking on white beaches, koalas dozing in lofty eucalypts, pelicans soaring over shimmering lagoons: Kangaroo Island is a pristine wilderness; a place that has offered protection to substantial populations of native Australian animals, a place of beauty and a place of escape.