Queensland: First Nations food experiences

Image: Tourism Australia

Brisbane area

Nudgee Waterholes, north of Brisbane, offers a unique opportunity for bush tucker tasting with Nyanda Cultural Tours, in which a knowledgable Aboriginal guide will take you into the wetlands to search for ingredients before serving up a morning tea of lilly pilly jam, wild lime and baked wattle-seed damper.

Where to stay: YHA Brisbane City

Sunshine Coast area

Saltwater Eco Tours' Native Bushfoods and Seafoods Cruise in Mooloolaba is a fantastic new enterprise offering perspectives into the traditions of the local Kabi Kabi people and their sustainable way of life, alongisde incredible native bush food and seafood tasting. Think bush tomato relishes, lemon myrtle cocktails, bunya nut pesto and fresh local shellfish all served aboard a beautiful century-old sailing boat. 

Located in the Mapleton area on Kabi Kabi land, Triballink offers a broad program of cultural activities, including various that will be of interest to the culinary-focused. Whether heading into the bush to learn about traditional food and medicines, visiting the in-house art gallery while enjoying a platter of emu and kangaroo, or having a full sit-down dinner with Dreamtime storytelling, there's plenty on offer here to keep your tastebuds happy. 

Where to stay: YHA Noosa Heads

North Queensland

In the Port Douglas region, a Walkabout Cultural Adventures tour on Kuku Yalanji land will take you across the mudflats and mangroves of Cooya Beach to look for mud mussels to eat freshly steamed, while learning about the culture and traditions of the local Aboriginal people. 

Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours, also based out of Cooya Beach, is another great option for those wanting to learn about First Nations food, with spear fishing expeditions to hunt and cook delicious mud crab on the beach being a major highlight.

For something truly special, Flames of the Forest in the heart of the Daintree lays claim to being Australia's ONLY rainforest dining experience and offers an intimate meal by candlelight featuring an absolutely scrumptious tropical bushfood inspired menu, alongside an evening of fireside Aboriginal song and dance.

If you're inclined towards something particularly fancy, Ochre Restaurant is a well-renowned fine dining experience in Cairns that fuses elements of modern Australian cuisine with traditional bush food ingredients. Here you'll find gourmet dishes featuring kangaroo, crocodile and even native green ants (which apparently go down well).

Where to stay: YHA Cairns Central

Learn more about Aboriginal food experiences around Australia.