If you are planning for a foodie trip for your next holiday, you might want to consider Western Australia which has just the right mix of a great getaway and a mouth-watering gastronomic experience with fresh local flavours, succulent seafood, world-class wines and highly prized black truffles. Examples of delicious seafood you can enjoy all around Western Australia include: Geraldton rock lobster, South West marron, truffle, yabby and trout, North West barramundi, Exmouth prawns, Rottnest scallops, Mandurah crab and Broome pearl meat, when in season.

Spoilt for choice? Here, at PassportChop.com, we have a few suggestions to help you plan your trip to Western Australia for the ultimate foodie holiday.

Stay in the City and Eat

Whether it’s dining out overlooking the river, or eating fish and chips beside the beach, Perth’s booming dining scene will have foodies’ mouths watering.

Check out Perth’s CBD, where you’ll find funky cafes, swanky bars, beer houses and intimate restaurants. A little further afield in South Perth you’ll find classy restaurants with spectacular views overlooking the city skyline and river waters. A visit to Northbridge, Perth’s premier entertainment precinct, is an absolute must. Just a short walk from the city centre, Northbridge is renowned for its nightlife, dozens of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Isle of Voyage celebrates local produce and reflects WA’s unique climate and lifestyle. Fresh salads, cold press juices, wood-fired pizza and decadent cakes are all on offer. Isle of Voyage is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike, and is located at Elizabeth Quay in Perth.

The stylish cultural hubs of Mount Lawley, Leederville and Subiaco are renowned for their coffee shops, theatre performances and funky eateries – from gourmet pizza shops to elegant restaurants. Check out Lulu La Delizia’s fresh pastas if you find yourself in Subiaco.

Take your senses on a remarkable journey at Epicurean – a sophisticated open-kitchen dining experience nestled within the luxurious Crown Towers Perth. Boasting prime position overlooking the resort’s premier lagoon pools, guests can enjoy an unparalleled array of Western and Asian cuisine that showcases the freshest local produce. With four live cooking stations, watch as acclaimed chefs create masterpieces in front of your eyes, bringing all the excitement and theatre of the kitchen to you. www.crownperth.com.au/restaurants/premium/epicurean.

Finally, the trendy KU DE TA Perth recently opened its doors in the city. The first international outpost of Bali’s original sunset destination is located on the striking Swan River in the beautiful city of Perth. Make sure to make KU DE TA Perth one of your stops when in the city. More information at http://www.kudeta.com/ku-de-ta-perth.html.

Food & Wine Trails

Food and wine trails are a fabulous way to enjoy the wine regions of WA. Featuring local produce, art galleries, behind-the-scenes tours, children’s play areas, accommodation options and tours of local attractions, the trails make for the perfect Perth day trip or longer stay.

  Credit: Experience Perth

The award-winning Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail is a 32 kilometre scenic loop drive in the heart of the Swan Valley, 25 minutes from Perth. Starting at the Visitor Centre in Guildford, the trail takes in more than 150 great establishments including wineries, lively breweries, fine restaurants, bustling cafes, distilleries, and roadside stalls selling fresh produce.

For the family foodies, those with kids will also love the chocolate factory, lavender farm, Whiteman Park, wildlife parks, mazes, Supa Golf plus a whole range of activities and fresh food to sample.

Sample beautiful wines at the Houghton Winery cellar door or even from Sandalford Winery, and enjoy an array of boutique beers and cider from several microbreweries along the trail. Or quiet down and enjoy lunch at the Sittella Winery which overlooks vineyards.

The Swan Valley and Perth Hills regions boast a mix of locally produced savoury and sweet treats to taste, adorned among vineyards and orchards that produce wines and ciders. Award-winning dining options with vineyard views are plentiful and some of Australia’s best beers are also brewed here. Get hands-on and learn how to make cheese, do a barista course or take an asparagus masterclass.

Catch Some Sun and Seafood along the Coast

Visiting Perth’s coastline will reward you with an opportunity to enjoy your meal while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean at one of its ideally-placed waterfront eateries. Leighton Beach, Cottesloe, Scarborough foreshore and Hillarys Boat Harbour provide foodies and beachgoers a tantalising selection of culinary options – ranging from fine dining among the sand dunes, sidewalk cafes and iconic beachfront eateries.

Credit: Joe’s Fish Shack

If you’re in Fremantle, you must check out Joe’s Fish Shack, situated at Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour. From fresh snapper to juicy barramundi and freshly caught crayfish, Joe’s Fish Shack is THE place to go to get your seafood fix.

If you’re headed toward the foodie mecca of WA’s South West, Margaret River, then why not stop in at Bunbury. If you’re looking for a breathtaking view of Koombana Bay while you fuel up on munchies, then head to Aristos Waterfront Bunbury, located just five minutes from the Forrest Highway, they serve delicious seafood on the waterfront at very affordable prices.

Just off from Busselton Jetty, is Cod Rocks, a Busselton family-owned and run fish and chip shop. Stop by there for your fix on fish, squid rings, burgers, snack cones of fish and chips on the go, family packs, kids packs and all your other fish and chip shop favourites before heading out to Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden pile jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching almost 2km out to sea.

If you’re headed up toward the Coral Coast, plan a visit to Kalbarri National Park or take in the dramatic sights of Kalbarri’s coastal cliff look outs and spot humpback whales (July-Nov). Take a pot-pulling tour and catch your own western rock lobster.

While you’re there, you may also like to check out Finlay’s Fresh Fish BBQ. This laidback establishment boasts a breezy outdoor setting to enjoy the coastal charm of the Mid West, in tune with a selection of fresh, casual coastal fare. Whether you’re after the catch of the day or a pick from the ever-changing blackboard menu, Finlay’s seafood selections guarantee a fresh, flavoursome meal.

If you’d rather catch your own, drop a line at one of WA’s top fishing spots, from deep sea, game and beach fishing in Exmouth, Kalbarri, the Montebello Islands, Rowley Shoals, Rottnest Island, Green Head and Leeman, to freshwater fishing at Walpole Inlet, the Fitzroy River and Blackwood River. Or join the local Bardi people at Kooljaman Wilderness Camp at Cape Leveque to try your hand at spear making and fishing, hunting for mud crabs in the mangroves and cooking your catch.

Be More Adventurous with your Tastebuds

Aboriginal people of the South West have known the nutritional value and healing properties of bush foods for centuries. Find out what insects, kangaroo, bush tomatoes and other bush tucker tastes like and discover the healing properties of our native flora on a tour with a local Aboriginal or bush tucker guide.

Head to Cape Naturaliste in Dunsborough and immerse yourself in the Aboriginal history and culture of the Margaret River region’s spectacular coastline. Aboriginal tours will bring you into the Boodja (country) of the Wadandi people and learn about the Noongar seasons and the encircling connections with the rivers, the seas, the animals, fish and plants.

Try a Food Event/Festival

Western Australia is blessed with fresh, unique produce all year round, and what better way to sample these riches than to plan your visit around one of the many food festivals being held throughout the year.

Eat Drink Perth 2017 (13 March to 9 April) returns this year with nearly a month of exciting activities, ideas sharing, events and special offers bringing foodies together in the name of good food and drinks. More than 70 citywide venues will be participating this year with over 100 offers and events spanning across brunch to late night treats. There are 12 fun categories to dig into. Check out more details at https://www.visitperthcity.com/eatdrinkperth.

The Great Southern region of Western Australia represents one of the most diverse and engaging food and wine regions you could imagine! When you talk about Great Southern produce, you include words like fresh, clean, natural, seasonal and exceptional. Foods like oysters and seafood, cereal crops, beef and lamb, vegetables and milk products all excel on the south coast. Taste Great Southern (23 March – 9 April) stretches over three weekends and is designed to attract people to the region while the weather is enjoyable. Visitors are
invited to stay over a few days or a week and to take in more than one event as well as enjoy the local attractions on offer. For more details and to plan your foodie trail, check out http://www.tastegreatsouthern.com.au/.

This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of the Margaret River wine region. The first commercial vineyard in Western Australia’s premier wine region was planted in 1967 by Dr Cullity after reports the area had similar growing conditions to Bordeaux, France. The region is internationally recognised as a premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. It also produces a signature style of wine with the blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. There’s a series of events around this anniversary. The Vasse Felix Historical Museum, The Vault is a great place to see where it all began. But for those foodies, check out The Supper Club, a new dinner experience partnering with the region’s most sought after wineries. Visit https://www.margaretriver.com/members/the-supper-club/ to book your experience.

Truffle Kerfuffle (23-25 June) is as exciting as its name suggests, celebrating the black Perigord truffle which grows so brilliantly near Manjimup. Truffle Kerfuffle is a weekend long celebration of truffle season in the heart of Australian truffle country: Manjimup, Western Australia. A hands on and adventurous festival, guests can join truffle hunters to search out prized truffles, visit the festival village for a taste of the region or get their truffle fix at exclusive dining events.

The Gascoyne Food Festival (10-12 August) is all about experiencing gastronomic pleasures in this outback oasis at the edge of the world. The stunning Gascoyne region is situated approximately 900km north of Perth in Western Australia. With the region being abundant with tropical fruits, succulent seafood and a vast array of temperate climate fruit and vegetables, this event showcases these amazing foods grown locally in the Gascoyne region, in a lush and tropical setting on the banks of Western Australia’s longest river.

Once a year over a long weekend, Entwined in the Valley (November) celebrates everything the Swan Valley stands for – good food, wine, music, arts, culture and more. The premier showcase of the weekend is the Entwined Degustation Dinner, where the crème de la crème of internationally renowned chefs and sommeliers join forces for an annual evening of epicurean indulgence. Past guest chefs include George Calombaris and Matt Moran, with Anna Polyviou taking top billing for 2016.

The Margaret River Gourmet Escape (17-19 November) is the State’s premier food and wine event, bringing together the world’s best chefs and wine experts for the ultimate culinary adventure. The event will deliver a program showcasing the best of WA and the region through a lauded line up of food and wine personalities and unique events.  This culinary extravaganza will deliver a world-class festival, with special events that offer Australian and international visitors food and wine experiences like no other.