What to eat in Australia

The humble meat pie is an Aussie staple, found everywhere from country roadside bakeries to giant stadiums. Enjoy a variety of fillings, from the meaty to the plant-based, add some tomato sauce (aka ketchup) and take a likely very warm bite.

While no-one can quite decide who created the delicacy, one thing’s for sure: it’s delicious. A cube-shaped sweet treat made of light sponge cake that’s dipped in chocolate, topped with coconut flakes and sometimes with a layer of berry jam, this is one fluffy, iconic treat.

With the arrival of many Southern Europeans in the late 1900s came the rich culture of coffee to Aussie shores. Using quality beans, strong notes and well-trained espresso baristas, Australians are serious about their coffee.

If you’re ever looking for a savoury topping for your morning toast, Vegemite is just the thing. While this salty spread is as far from Nutella as it gets, Vegemite is a favourite childhood flavour for many Australians. To enjoy, apply a thin layer to butter and bread.

For a country surrounded by water, it's no surprise that Australia is home to some great seafood. Enjoy the wide variety of freshly caught seafood ranging from lobster in Perth to barramundi in Darwin. Or simply stick to the usual: fish and chips.

So famous that it got its own catchphrase, the barbecue (or barbie to Aussies) is a favourite cooking technique for many Australians. From shrimp to steak, vegetables to turkey, enjoy the roasted flavours wafting from homes, parks and beaches Australia-wide.

Either written as 'parma' or 'parmi', this pub staple is a fan-favourite. Sit down to a plate of chicken schnitzel topped with Napoli sauce, ham and cheese, served with chips and salad. Non-meat eaters may enjoy the fun with an eggplant version.

While it may come as a surprise, kangaroos have been a source of food in Australia for thousands of years. Today, many supermarkets stock a small selection of this lean meat that’s known to be a healthier alternative to beef due to its low cholesterol and fat.

Added to modern café culture after its debut in a Sydney Café, the love of avocado on toast is felt Australia-wide. Just about every café across the country is likely to offer some variety of this vegetarian-friendly brunch meal.

Get the low-down on where to find (or avoid) hot, cool, rainy, sunny, snowy or dry weather in the Australian year.

The weather across Australia’s states and territories can be anything from hot and dry to cool and snowy.

While every trip needs specific items, here’s a guide on what to pack for your average Intrepid trip.