Indigenous Australian cuisine gains global spotlight
Indigenous Australian cuisine is enjoying a moment in the international spotlight after Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods secured a place on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in June. For UK travellers curious about tasting the flavours of the world’s oldest continuous living culture, Australia offers a wealth of experiences that blend storytelling, tradition and remarkable food.
At her Byron Bay restaurant, Karkalla, Woods invites guests to explore Indigenous Australian cuisine traditions through immersive dining and farm-to-table tours. From foraging native herbs to dining under the stars, every experience is shaped by the ingredients and landscapes of Bundjalung Country. Travellers can also join Discover Aboriginal Experiences for guided bush-tucker walks, sampling native staples like wattleseed damper, Kakadu plum and saltbush – each with its own history and nutritional value.
Across Australia, Indigenous guides are offering unique perspectives on food and place. In Western Australia, Wardandi Bibbulmun woman Dale Tilbrook leads tours where visitors taste quandong, native limes and sandalwood nuts, while learning about the medicinal and cultural uses of these ingredients. Meanwhile, in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, First Nations guides share the secrets of the Cadi Jam Ora garden before guests enjoy a tasting session.
For those heading north, Mabu Buru Tours in Broome combine 4WD adventures with foraging for seafood such as mud crabs and stingray, followed by a beachside feast. On Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Saltwater Eco Tours pairs fresh Mooloolaba prawns with bush-tucker-inspired dishes while co-owner Simon Thornalley weaves in Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi storytelling.
The appeal isn’t only in the flavours but in the connection to Country. As Woods has said, food is at the heart of culture – and tasting it is key to understanding it. With 9 August marking the UN International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, there’s no better time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culinary traditions.
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