It’s 2023 and it’s time to eat, drink and be merry. There’s a fresh wave of food festivals waiting to be discovered this year – some you may even want to pack your bags and travel to them. Whether you are a fan of authentic Italian food, a fancy cocktail, gourmet truffles or delicious fresh seafood, there’s something for every foodie this year (and, if you’re in the chilled food transportation business, these are the Australian food festivals you should consider working alongside Scully RSV to move your goods).
Here’s a look at some of our top picks.
Good Food And Wine Show
Melbourne: May 19th – 21st
Sydney: June 23rd – 25th
Perth: July 21st – 23rd
Brisbane: October 27th – 29th
One of the biggest Australian food festivals for 2023 has got to be the Good Food and Wine Show, held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth every year. Eager patrons can wander through the show and sample from hundreds of food and drink vendors, including winemakers (of course), distillers, cheesemongers and more. You can also choose to join in on many masterclasses, where you’ll be taught foodie secrets such as the key to a good wine and cheese pairing, and afterwards watch your favourite celebrity chefs’ demonstrations in the Good Food Theatre, where they’ll whip up their newest recipes on-stage for everyone to see.
Melbourne Cocktail Festival
April 4th – 10th
A celebration of Melbourne’s vibrant cocktail scene, the Melbourne Cocktail Festival is a five-day exploration of some of Melbourne’s best bars and the talented bartenders shaking those cocktail shakers.
This year at the festival, you can discover bespoke drinks designed especially for the occasion, with creativity and taste at the forefront of each creation. But even if you’re not in Melbourne, you can still access the recipes for these drinks, so you can enjoy the festival from the comfort of your own home bar.
Tasting Australia
Adelaide, 28th April – 7th May 2023
A true delight for Australian foodies, Tasting Australia is a collaboration among world-class chefs and offers a wide range of tasting from moreish food to beer, wine and spirits. With a star lineup including the chef talents of Heidi Bjerkan (Norway), James Lowe (UK) and Gill Meller (UK) will be heading to Adelaide for collaboration events with national and local culinary names including Karen Martini.
The festival’s unique and immersive events include a purpose-built 20-person space (Chef’s Table), where chefs from famed Australian restaurants will gather to present their latest cuisines. There’s also the Wine! Wine! Party! Party! that occurs on the opening night, where you can dance the night away alongside wine tastings, beer samples, and cocktails by one of Australia’s best bartenders – Nick Tesar from Bar Liberty in Melbourne.
There’s so much to discover at this huge Australian food festival that you’d be remiss to skip it, especially if you’re a food-loving Adelaide local.
Mudgee Food And Drink Trail
Mudgee, NSW, 18th March – 19th March
This two-day festival will have you heading out of the city to enjoy the sights, sounds and of course, tastes of Mudgee. This annual food adventure winds will carry you across the region, wherein you’ll be stopping at several cellar doors to experience local foods matched with award-winning wines from some of the best wine-makers in Mudgee. Participants for 2023 include Rosby Wines, Robert Stein Winery, Slowfox Wines, Elephant Wines and many more.
To participate in the trail, you can pick up a trail pass for $55, which consists of five vouchers to use at any of the participating wineries.
Grampians Grape Escape
Halls Gap, Victoria, May 5th – May 7th
Now in its 30th year, the Grampians Grape Escape is nestled amongst beautiful scenery and celebrates some of western Victoria’s best winemakers, producers and growers. With 100 exhibitors expected to attend this year, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to samples, cooking demonstrations, workshops and live music to vibe with. Highlights of the event include Khanh Ong of MasterChef Australia fame, as well as long-time comedian Merrick Watts to present ‘An Idiot’s Guide To Wine’.
And, if you want to stay on-site for the festivities, you can choose a full-blown glamping experience to complement your days of tasting gourmet food at the ample food stalls and tasting plenty of glasses of wine.
Night Noodle Markets
Brisbane, dates TBA
If you’re after a free food festival in the heart of Brisbane, you won’t want to miss out on the Night Noodle Markets. Whilst the festival is free, you still need to reserve tickets, but once in you can experience a smorgasbord of Asian street food and an assortment of other cuisines. Expect a range of foods from Thai, Japanese, Malaysian and Chinese cuisines, as well as sweet treats from master ice cream maker Messina.
The Night Noodle Markets are a perfect casual festival that shouldn’t be missed by foodies of Brisbane.
Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival
Redcliffe, Brisbane, August 4th – August 6th
Image Source: Moreton Bay Food And Wine Festival
Here’s another one for our south east Queensland residents. The Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival allows you to raise a glass of champagne (or two!) along the idyllic seaside of Moreton Bay. This three-day food festival is for the foodies who want to eat, drink, enjoy and repeat as they soak up the winter sunshine, exploring local food producers and plenty of food stalls to boot.
Maitland Coffee And Aroma Festival
Maitland, NSW, August 12th – August 13th
Departing from the usual food and wine schedule, the Maitland Coffee and Aroma Festival gives you the chance to warm up during the cooler season of the year and bask in the aromatic glow of freshly ground coffee beans, rich melted chocolate and decadent dishes that will delight and inspire. Whilst winemakers and brewers will be present, the real focus of the festival in 2023 focuses on local coffee roasters and a range of gourmet chocolates.
Be sure to keep an eye and ear out when it comes to the Flavour Stage: it features a variety of demonstrations from local business owners, chefs and stallholders, whilst the Babyccino Kids Zone is there for the little ones to enjoy.
Wild Harvest Seafood Festival
Mallacoota, Victoria, TBC November
Last but not least on our list we have the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival, considered one of Victoria’s best off-the-beaten-path destinations. Expected to pop up again in 2023, the three-day festival seeks to celebrate Mallacoota’s history and deep relationship to the ocean. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase and taste sea urchins and whelks – something quite rare in the region – as well as shuck oysters and mussels from the surrounding coastal community. There’s also a Wild Harvest Seafood Market, plus dinner and tasting events led by recognised restaurants and chefs. And of course, there’s beer and wine aplenty.
If you plan on being a vendor in one of these Australian food festivals or any other foodie event, get in touch with us at Scully RSV. We can help you organise chilled transport on the day, ensuring your goods arrive safe and fresh. Alternatively, a number of our suppliers use our vehicles as storage facilities, operating our standby units to keep goods fresh and cold.
