The 10 Best Food and Wine Festivals in Australia and New Zealand in 2027

Direct Answer

For 2027, the best overall food festival in the region is Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, where most events run about AUD $50–$150 and hundreds of events fill Victoria across more than two weeks in one of the world's great food cities. The best value is Tasting Australia in Adelaide, where many town-square events are free and ticketed dinners start around AUD $40, all within easy reach of the Barossa and McLaren Vale wine regions.

This list is for travelers planning a food-and-wine trip Down Under, with pricing from free events up to premium long lunches near AUD $300. Every festival below is real, with real cities, dates, and pricing, ranked on culinary depth, wine-region access, scale, and value.

1. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 🏆 BEST OVERALL

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) is one of the world's leading food festivals, spanning more than two weeks across Victoria, expected in March 2027. It runs hundreds of events from long lunches to chef collaborations.

Most events run about AUD $50–$150, with premium dinners and the famous "World's Longest Lunch" climbing to $200–$300. Melbourne's restaurant scene, Yarra Valley wineries, and Mornington Peninsula producers all feature.

It ranks #1 for the breadth and quality of events in a city consistently ranked among the world's best for food. Best for travelers who want the region's flagship food-and-wine festival.

2. Tasting Australia, Adelaide 💎 BEST VALUE

Tasting Australia in Adelaide is South Australia's premier food-and-drink festival, expected in late April/early May 2027. It centers on Town Square (Victoria Square) with the surrounding wine regions close by.

Many Town Square events are free, and ticketed dinners and masterclasses start around AUD $40, rising to $200+ for signature long lunches. The Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, and McLaren Vale wineries are within an hour.

It ranks #2 overall and takes 💎 BEST VALUE for free central events plus easy access to some of Australia's best wine country. Best for travelers who want food and wine without high entry costs.

3. Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Western Australia

The Margaret River Gourmet Escape in Western Australia pairs celebrity chefs with the famous Margaret River wine region, expected in November/December 2027. It's set against coastline and vineyards.

Events run about AUD $100–$300, with beach feasts, winery long lunches, and chef demos. Margaret River is renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

It ranks #3 for combining a world-class wine region with stunning WA scenery. Best for travelers who want wine, food, and coast together.

4. Noosa Eat & Drink Festival, Queensland

The Noosa Eat & Drink Festival (formerly Noosa Food & Wine) on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is a long-running beachside food event, expected in May 2027.

Events run about AUD $40–$150, with chef demos, long lunches, and tastings by the beach. The subtropical setting and local seafood are big draws.

It ranks #4 for a relaxed beachside food festival in a holiday destination. Best for travelers wanting food and a Queensland beach break.

5. Sydney / Good Food Month

Good Food Month in Sydney celebrates the city's dining scene each year, expected in October/November 2027. It runs pop-up dinners, the Night Noodle Markets, and chef events.

Many Night Noodle Market dishes cost about AUD $12–$20, while ticketed dinners run $80–$200. The Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park are a free-to-enter highlight.

It ranks #5 for a major-city food festival with strong free and affordable options. Best for travelers visiting Sydney who want both street food and fine dining.

6. Barossa Gourmet / Barossa Vintage Festival

The Barossa Vintage Festival in South Australia, one of Australia's oldest wine festivals, celebrates the grape harvest in the Barossa Valley, expected around April 2027 (it runs biennially in odd years).

Events run about AUD $40–$200, with winery lunches, tastings, and a grand parade. The Barossa is famous for Shiraz.

It ranks #6 for deep heritage in one of Australia's top wine regions. Best for wine lovers focused on Barossa Shiraz.

7. Hawke's Bay / F.A.W.C! New Zealand

F.A.W.C! (Food and Wine Classic) in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, runs two seasons of events celebrating the region's wine and produce, expected in summer and winter 2027.

Events run about NZD $50–$200, with vineyard lunches, foraging walks, and chef dinners. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's premier region for Syrah and Bordeaux-style reds.

It ranks #7 for intimate, well-curated events in a top NZ wine region. Best for travelers exploring New Zealand wine country.

8. Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, New Zealand

The Marlborough Wine & Food Festival is New Zealand's longest-running wine festival, held each February in the Sauvignon Blanc capital, expected around February 2027.

A day ticket runs about NZD $65–$95, including tastings from dozens of Marlborough wineries plus food stalls and live music. Marlborough produces the world-famous NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

It ranks #8 for the definitive Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc experience. Best for white-wine lovers visiting New Zealand.

9. Orange F.O.O.D Week, New South Wales

Orange F.O.O.D Week in the cool-climate Orange region of New South Wales is one of Australia's longest-running regional food festivals, expected in April 2027.

Events run from free producer visits to about AUD $50–$150 for long lunches and tastings. The region is known for cool-climate wines and high-quality produce.

It ranks #9 for authentic regional, producer-led events. Best for travelers who want a relaxed rural food trip near Sydney.

10. Queenstown / Central Otago Food & Wine, New Zealand

Food-and-wine events around Queenstown and Central Otago, New Zealand's southernmost wine region, celebrate Pinot Noir and alpine scenery, expected through 2027.

Events run about NZD $60–$250, with vineyard lunches and tastings against the Southern Alps. Central Otago is one of the world's premier Pinot Noir regions.

It ranks #10 for Pinot Noir with spectacular mountain scenery. Best for travelers combining adventure and wine in the South Island.

How to Choose

• Match the wine to the region. Choose the Barossa for Shiraz, Margaret River for Cabernet and Chardonnay, Marlborough for Sauvignon Blanc, and Central Otago for Pinot Noir.
• Decide city festival vs. Wine-country trip. Melbourne and Sydney offer big-city dining programs; Margaret River, Barossa, and Hawke's Bay are immersive wine-region events.
• Mind the budget. Tasting Australia and Sydney's Night Noodle Markets have free and sub-$20 options; Margaret River and Central Otago long lunches can run $200–$300.
• Plan around the seasons. Remember the Southern Hemisphere calendar — Marlborough is February, Melbourne and the Barossa are autumn (March–April), and Margaret River is late spring (November).
• Book signature lunches early. Marquee events like Melbourne's World's Longest Lunch and Margaret River's beach feasts sell out months ahead.

FAQ

Which Australian or New Zealand food festival is the best overall for 2027? The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is the best overall, running hundreds of events across Victoria for more than two weeks in one of the world's top food cities. Most events run about AUD $50–$150.

What is the best-value food festival in the region? Tasting Australia in Adelaide is the best value because many Town Square events are free and ticketed dinners start around AUD $40, all within an hour of the Barossa, Clare Valley, and McLaren Vale.

Which festival is best for a specific wine variety? Match the region to the grape: the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival for Sauvignon Blanc, the Barossa for Shiraz, Margaret River for Cabernet, and Central Otago for Pinot Noir.

Do I need to remember the Southern Hemisphere seasons? Yes. Summer falls in December–February and autumn in March–May, so Marlborough is a February event, Melbourne and the Barossa run in autumn, and Margaret River's Gourmet Escape is a late-spring November festival.

Bottom Line

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is the best overall food festival in Australia and New Zealand for 2027, with hundreds of events across Victoria mostly priced AUD $50–$150. For the best value, Tasting Australia in Adelaide offers free central events and $40 dinners beside some of Australia's best wine country.

Sources

• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival — official site (melbournefoodandwine.com.au)
• Tasting Australia — official South Australia site
• Margaret River Gourmet Escape — official site
• Visit Sunshine Coast — Noosa Eat & Drink Festival
• Good Food Month — official Sydney site
• Barossa Vintage Festival — official site
• Hawke's Bay Tourism — F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic
• Marlborough Wine & Food Festival — official New Zealand site