Gold Coast generates an appetite for fine food.
Quality is what is on the menu with Gold Coast’s food and beverage industry.
Food manufacturers are based in the region, drawn by easy transport solutions with two international airports and the Port of Brisbane to the north. Queensland’s food and beverage exports represent about 20% of the nation’s total.
Major food and beverage companies such as Carlton and United Breweries, Pacific Food, De Bortoli Wines and Baiada Poultry are based in northern areas around Yatala.
Australia’s Gold Coast offers the chance to sample some of the world’s finest produce.
The Food and Wine Trail encompasses award-winning wineries, breweries and food-based attractions within an easy morning drive – or for gourmets – an all day drive.
www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/foodandwine Buy your own with a calendar of fresh produce markets at areas such as Beechmont, Main Beach, Mudgeeraba and Southport or visit food-based attractions focused on boutique breweries, honey or tropical fruits. Parklands Produce and Craft Markets are on the first and third Saturday of the month.
Seafood is world-class. Sample the catch of the day or catch your own with deep sea fishing charters. Species include spanish mackeral, wahoo, black marlin and mahi mahi as well as snapper, whiting, trevally, bream, pearl perch and greenback tailor. Queensland mud crabs are a delicacy.
Food based festivals span the year with opera in the wineries, Christmas in July and ethnic feasts celebrating the city’s multicultural base. Restaurant and Catering Queensland is a not-for-profit industry peak association to service the industry’s interests. The group arranges key Gold Coast events A La Carte in the Park and A La Carte on the Beach and the Signature Dish competition.
www.rcq.org.au