Regional South Australia’s world-renowned food and beverage was showcased to visitors from all over during Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel 2024.
More than 50 events in this year’s festival were held in the state’s tourism regions, including Grenache tasting in the Barossa, an oyster farming breakfast at Streaky Bay in Eyre Peninsula, winemaking classes in the Riverland, and sold-out events including a one-of-a-kind experience at the Limestone Coast’s Umpherston Sinkhole, a collaboration between El Estanco and Alkina in the Barossa, and a superyacht sailing adventure around Kangaroo Island.
Regional dining and hospitality were spotlighted in the CBD to entice festivalgoers to the regions beyond the life of the festival, as the sold-out Town Square Canteen series showcased eateries from across the state – including such as Sunset Food and Wine (Kangaroo Island), Line and Label (Eyre Peninsula), and Lost Phoenix Farm (Fleurieu Peninsula).
The new sold-out Tasting Australia by Train event from Melbourne to Adelaide was among festival highlights, which offered a 10-hour day trip featuring curated experiences with Cheong Liew, Jae Bang, and Karena Armstrong onboard The Ghan’s dining and bar carriages.
In a festival first, visitors from interstate travelled direct to regional South Australia, with a charter plane flying from Melbourne to Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast as part of one of the sold-out Tasting Australia Airlines experiences.
Tasting Australia began in 1997 and is among the nation’s longest-running eating and drinking festivals. Its 18th edition will be held in autumn 2025.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel served up South Australia’s delicious produce to locals and visitors alike, helping cement the state’s reputation as a must-visit food and wine destination.
“During the festival we heard time and time again from world-leading chefs that the produce from regional South Australia is among the best in the world, something visitors to our state can enjoy all year round,” Minister Bettison said.
“One of the wonderful things about Tasting Australia is how the benefits of this major event are spread right across the state, helping showcase our state’s produce and highlighting the many incredible destinations on offer across regional South Australia. This includes the natural wonder of Umpherston Sinkhole in the Limestone Coast to unique oyster farm experiences in the Eyre Peninsula.”
