When you live on an island as big as Australia, there are water views everywhere you turn.
Whether getting sandy toes and a sun-kissed nose at the beach, or admiring picture-perfect lake and river settings, we all enjoy the sound and sight of water and a good dose of vitamin sea.
Here are five must-visit restaurants where the water views are spectacular along with food:
Head to the home of the fairy penguins at Low Head to find rustic restaurant Low Head Pilot Station Seafood Shack on Low Head Road. Nestled in the old Coxswains House, this relaxed dining destination is all charm with plenty of corner nooks and windows overlooking the water for intimate rendezvous; or sip a wine alfresco and take in stunning sunset views.
Vistas like this call for seafood, cast your net for crispy battered fish tacos, with chipotle aioli, coriander, jalapeño, salsa fresca and fresh lime, or devour crumbed Tassie scallops, lemon and rosemary salt, tartar, fries and a green salad.
Enjoy an idyllic location for dining by the water, pick up a takeaway picnic, or pull in your boat to Waterside Bistro on Bobbin Head Road in North Turramurra. Situated within Empire Marina Bobbin Head in the pristine Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, this café’s location is second to none; chill out at weatherproof and open-shaded waterfront tables, or indoors where the view is just as good to peruse an all-day menu.
Celebrate over a seafood plate of beer-battered fish, salt and pepper calamari, fried prawns, chips and salad garnish, or spaghetti with garlic Tiger prawns, spinach, tomatoes, chilli, lemon and olive oil.
Ettalong locals flock to The Box on the Water restaurant and lounge bar for absolute waterfront dining in contemporary style, found ocean-side of The Esplanade on the redeveloped foreshore. In all weather, soak up panoramic views across soft sand and sheltered bay waters, dining at a leisurely pace, seated underneath lush ferns hanging from the ceiling in black pots, while surrounded by a smart casual environment reflective of nature outside.
Sip a craft beer or cocktail while enjoying confit octopus, kipfler potatoes, lemon, oregano and pickled jalapeños, or hook a plate of King prawns, with Pernod butter, black rice, fennel herb salad and charred lemon.
Overlooking one of the oldest shipyards in Australia, take in a sunset framed by Cataract Gorge and the Tamar River at new restaurant Boatyard on Park Street in Launceston. Bringing casual dining to the city’s waterfront, from your morning coffee to an evening of drinks on the deck, this is the place for relaxed dining.
Don’t go past Tassie oysters to start, either Kilpatrick or natural, then opt for a classic main of fish and chips, house tartar sauce and salad; or mussels with tomato, chilli and garlic sauce, served with sourdough.
Surrounded by private parkland overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, The Boat House is the ideal place to relax and delve into award-winning dining. Escape from the city life of Canberra and be mesmerised by stunning lake views, with a dining room of rich décor, an open fireplace, white table linens and ambient lighting.
Waterside dining demands seafood, as a seasonally changing menu has been created to offer locally sourced produce used to create stunning dishes like Merimbula oysters with gin mignonette and miso barramundi, ginger carrot, zucchini and wild rice.
