A foodie haven awaits you on your Trans-Tasman summer holiday

Australia and New Zealand pride themselves on fresh, local foods from tender locally farmed meat, to succulent seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course the summer barbecue both countries are renowned for.

There is international cuisines from all over the world, which local chefs craft together using the incredible fresh produce available in their own backyard.

Both countries also showcase traditional native foods first discovered by the first nation’s people - the Aborigines in Australia and the Maoris in New Zealand.

It’s true that Australia and New Zealand have certain foods they like to “bicker” (friendly disagreement) about and probably the most notable is the pavlova. A summer favourite, this dessert is a meringue-style cake toped with cream and fresh fruits that goes down a treat in the warmer months.

Most local bakeries around your holiday destination will sell pavlova and there are also many restaurants that will serve up this Australia / New Zealand favourite, some with an international twist and others as traditional as they come.

With both countries surrounded by coastline consisting of varying climates, there’s no surprise that they are renowned for some of the best and most diverse selection of seafood you will ever have the privilege of trying.

Australians eat approximately 15kg of seafood per person per year, making it a very significant part of the country’s diet. Australian sardines, prawns and rock lobster are the top of the list for wild caught seafood, while Atlantic salmon farmed in Tasmania outweighs all of them, with more than 41,000 tonnes produced in a year.

Across the ditch in New Zealand, the cool clean waters allow for an abundance of seafood to be harvested including crayfish, King salmon and green-lipped muscles. New Zealand’s crayfish are similar to lobster except they are clawless and prefer rocky areas and deep sea beds, particularly off the South Island. Another cool climate favourite is the King salmon which is delicate and rich in flavour while the muscles can be sourced in all coastal areas.

Another favourite for both countries is locally farmed lamb, and yes, this is another food that provides some friendly competition between the two countries.

Whether it’s a quick whip up or a huge family gathering with family and friends, lamb is the favourite spring and summertime cuisine. Lamb is served in many forms across both countries including slow-cooked, barbecued, roasted, and is served in most modern Australia and New Zealand restaurants.

Australian and New Zealand red meat producers are also focusing on having a positive impact on the environment by ensuring animal wellbeing and sustainable farming in recent years.

Indigenous foods are becoming increasingly popular in in both countries in recent years, with many chefs using native ingredients from “the land” to craft their dishes. In Australia, the indigenous foods used in cooking ranges from native fruits and nuts such as lemon myrtle, finger lime and macadamia to crocodile, mud crab and marron.

In New Zealand the traditional Maori barbecue is called a Hangi, which is food cooked under the ground. Native ingredients found across the country include many species of seafood as well as flavours from the bush consisting of ferns, vines, fungi and berries, as well as, kumara, otherwise known as sweet potato.

That’s just a little taste of what’s on the menu in Australia and New Zealand during the summer months, all of which can be found at casual dining to fine dining restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaway shops in city and regional areas.

Our Wyndham Hotels & Resorts properties offer a variety of cuisines, and if you feel like stepping outside the hotel to explore the food wonders around you, you will not be disappointed, no matter where you are staying. 

Plan your holiday a little longer this season with your loved ones. Enjoy more discounted nights of Best Available Rate as you stay longer at participating hotels by Wyndham across the Asia Pacific. Get 10% off with one night stay, 15% off for two consecutive nights, or 20% off for three or more consecutive nights stay. Book direct by February 28, 2022, and complete your stay by March 1, 2022. Find out more at wyndhamhotels.com

Plus, Wyndham Rewards Members get rewarded. Not a member yet? Visit wyndhamrewards.com to join for free.