Getaway to these 4 Spring Dining Destinations

Spring is in the air and it’s time to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days with a memorable meal with family and friends at a venue that feels like you are getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Let’s spring into the new season with a visit to one of these four venues where life stands still for a moment and cares fly out the door:

An intimate atmosphere is perfectly complemented by a remarkable vista of Coral Sea islands, reefs and mountain ranges at Osprey’s Restaurant, nestled in the exclusive Thala Beach Nature Reserve in Port Douglas. Located on a private headland, diners from across the region and world come to this spectacular restaurant for an unrivalled treetop dining experience, whether stopping in for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

Choose from a seasonal local menu and dine on plates like coconut crumbed prawn skewers, salad leaves, cassava cracker, lemongrass and chilli mayo to start; followed by slow-roasted pork belly, fried scallop wontons, soy broth, greens and crackle, or banana leaf wrapped barramundi, steamed rice, pak choi, baby corn and yellow curry sauce.

Spend long afternoons and evenings enjoying time with family and friends at Cypress Lakes Bistro & Bar on the corner of McDonalds and Thompsons Roads in Pokolbin. Nestled in Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, this casual dining destination boasts a full glass frontage with stunning views, along with polished wood floors, an open kitchen and spacious alfresco area for chilling out with a glass of wine or a cocktail.

 

Start an evening meal with pumpkin and ricotta arancini and aioli, or a grilled salmon salad with beetroot, cherry tomato, onion, spinach, feta and balsamic glaze; for the main, think offerings such as linguine with prawns, chilli, onion, garlic, chorizo and shaved Parmesan, or grilled Scotch fillet with sides of Paris mashed potato, sautéed broccolini and pistachio.

Be it a platform for the perfect proposal or an introduction to the Australian landscape in its purest form, No.1 Sublime Point at Leura is housed beautifully overlooking the picturesque Jamison Valley. Signature restaurant at Fairmont Resort & Spa on Sublime Point Road, this dining destination offers vistas that can’t be found anywhere else, along with Modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on handmade elements.

Celebrating Australian produce and local providores, the constantly-evolving five-course menu is inspired by the seasons – expect dishes like potato, blue cheese, pear and black truffle to start, moving onto mains like Wagyu beef fillet, beef cheeks, tarragon, onion and bone marrow, enjoyed with a glass of Reserve Shiraz Viognier.

One of the most historic buildings in Warrnambool, Proudfoots by the River on Simpson Street is renowned for its unique dining experience. Nestled in a boathouse on the banks of the Hopkins River, Proudfoots is the city’s only on-the-water restaurant – take in picturesque views as you enjoy a meal in the friendly, relaxed ambience whether sipping a coffee or a local wine on the balcony.

From a menu showcasing native ingredients, dive right in with Davidson plum BBQ brisket, macaroni and cheese croquettes and paperbark smoked aioli; before mains such as seafood bouillabaisse with smoked salmon, scallops, crab and prawn croquettes, mussels, leek, zucchini, cauliflower purée, lemon myrtle and crab sauce.