Monday, 04 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / Travel

Chef Kylie Kwong's top recommendations for Australia holidays

NZ Herald
5 May, 2022 01:28 AM3 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Kylie Kwong, chef, TV presenter and restaurateur. Photo / Anna Kucera, Destination NSW

Kylie Kwong, chef, TV presenter and restaurateur. Photo / Anna Kucera, Destination NSW

Chef, TV presenter and restaurateur Kylie Kwong shares her top picks for travelling in Aus.

What are the unmissable experiences and destinations on your ultimate Aussie holiday itinerary?

I wish to visit the spirited outback centre of Mbantua (Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory. Many years ago I stayed in Arnhem Land yet since then I have made so many Aboriginal friends and learnt so much more about their traditions and culture. I would welcome this visit to explore the Red Centre, its contemporary and traditional art, natural wonders including the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata-Tjuta (Olgas) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and to gain more of an understanding and appreciation of the ancient wisdom of First Nations people of Australia.

What other Aussie destinations and experiences are on your list?

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

My idea of a great holiday is always focused around food, beautiful natural environments, culture and meaningful, quality connections. I would love to:

- Do a master class at The Agrarian Kitchen with Rodney Dunne in Lachlan, Tasmania
- Lunch at Northern Rivers' regional restaurant, Pipit - run by Ben Devlin and his wife Yen Trinh - small, bespoke, showcasing the best seasonal produce of the area
- Lunch at the charming Summertown Aristologist in the Adelaide Hills in SA - local produce, rustic setting, some of the best natural wines in the world.
- Weekend at Brigitte Hafner's Tedesca Osteria in Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula – a farm stay with Osteria-style eating, where the restaurant is directly connected to the land and the region, with a menu driven by the local produce and cooked for the day.

Catching Mud Crabs on Bathurt Island, Norther Territory. Photo / Getty Images
Catching Mud Crabs on Bathurt Island, Norther Territory. Photo / Getty Images

What is your fondest Australian holiday memory, and where did it take place?

Almost every year my extended Chinese family holidayed in Byron Bay for several weeks - we stayed in one of the large and only apartment blocks on Lawson St, overlooking Clarkes' Beach - now this street is completely filled with holiday rental apartments. We spent every waking hour on the beach and when it was time for lunch, my mum's sister, Aunty Jane, would hang a beach towel on the apartment balcony and we would all race up the beach like little soldier crabs to enjoy freshly peeled, super sweet school prawns jam-packed between pillowy-soft white sliced bread, tomato sauce and iceberg lettuce.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

My Uncle Johnny and his family lived in Yamba so they would join us - he is a keen fisherman and would arrive with an esky overflowing with live mud crabs and one of the family highlights was cooking and feasting upon Black Bean and Chilli Mud Crab together!

Some of the other great holidays I have enjoyed include walking The Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain tracks in the pristine natural environment of Tasmania; exploring the delicious food and wine region of the Barossa Valley in South Australia and spending a week in The Kimberley Ranges, fishing for barramundi and swimming in the unique waterholes.

You've focused on cooking with a conscience and effecting positive social change through the years. Where in Australia would you recommend travellers go to support sustainable travel and dining?

NSW's south coast beaches and seafood are pristine. The Bay of Fires, Cradle Mountain and walking tracks in Tasmania; also the pristine wild islands of King Island and Flinder's Island and their incredible seafood. In South Australia, head to The Summertown Aristologist in Adelaide Hills for locally sourced produce and locally crafted natural wine.

Related articles

Travel

Couple's getaway: A delicious escape in Noosa

24 Apr 03:00 AM
Travel

Treat your taste buds to the Gold Coast's most flavoursome hangouts

02 May 05:45 PM
Travel

Tropical North Queensland's newest tourist attraction

30 Apr 08:30 PM

Kylie Kwong's restaurant Lucky Kwong is in Sydney's South Eveleigh precinct, and focuses on ethically sourced ingredients. luckykwong.com.au

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Travel

Travel

France to ban popular yet dealthy activity in shock announcement

04 Dec 07:00 AM
Premium
Travel

USA airfares are coming in cheap: Top things to see and do

04 Dec 05:00 AM
Travel

Lost something at this airport? You could buy it back in an auction

04 Dec 12:02 AM
Travel

Novotel Wellington hotel review: A home away from home

03 Dec 11:00 PM

The heart of a spectacular holiday

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Travel

France to ban popular yet dealthy activity in shock announcement

France to ban popular yet dealthy activity in shock announcement

04 Dec 07:00 AM

The activity is quintessentially 'French' but will soon result in a fine.

Premium
USA airfares are coming in cheap: Top things to see and do

USA airfares are coming in cheap: Top things to see and do

04 Dec 05:00 AM
Lost something at this airport? You could buy it back in an auction

Lost something at this airport? You could buy it back in an auction

04 Dec 12:02 AM
Novotel Wellington hotel review: A home away from home

Novotel Wellington hotel review: A home away from home

03 Dec 11:00 PM
Immerse yourself in Japan’s world of omotenashi
sponsored

Immerse yourself in Japan’s world of omotenashi

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP