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By: Tatum Stafford
Be it handmade chocolate in Margaret River, fresh apples in Donnybrook or giant mangoes in Carnarvon, Western Australia serves up an impressive spread of fabulous flavours.
Whether you’re on foot, in a car or on two wheels during your next WA holiday, there’s no better way to indulge in gourmet goodies than on a food trail highlighting local producers, winemakers and farm-to-gate vendors.
Have your picnic basket ready, here are 10 of WA’s best food trails that stretch from Broome to Albany.
1. Albany Picnic Provisions Trail
For a taste of authentic Albany produce, fill your basket along the 125km Albany Picnic Provisions Trail. This looped, self-drive trail starts at the Saturday morning Albany Farmers Market (or the Albany Boatshed Markets on a Sunday morning) and winds through local wineries, farms, breweries and local produce stores.
Trail highlights include Handasyde Strawberry Farm (who also grow raspberries and blackberries from November to January), wine flights at Oranje Tractor, gourmet groceries at Mt Melville Organics and craft beers at Wilson Brewing. Millbrook Farm Fresh, another trail stop, has a rustic verandah that makes for a great picnic spot.
2. Farm Flavour Trail, Chittering Valley
The picturesque Chittering Valley region near Perth is renowned for its farm-fresh produce. To sample goodies direct from the farm gate, hop on the 120km Chittering Farm Flavour Trail. Starting on Chittering Road, the trail passes farms, wineries and roadside stalls fully stocked with fresh produce.
Stop in at Blueberry Bliss for a guided tasting tour, Little Eeden Farm to sample infused bush honey, Wootra Farm to explore the ‘Aspara-van’ filled with bunches of fresh asparagus, and Nesci Estate Wine Farm for tastings of table wines, ports and liqueurs. In season, the Avalon Mango and Avocado farm is also a must-visit.
3. Broome Food and Heritage Trail
Broome is blessed with a wide variety of dining options. To get a taste for the culinary delights on offer, hop on the walkable Broome Food and Heritage Trail starting at the visitor centre. From here, it’s a short stroll through Chinatown to Runway Bar & Restaurant, a quirky spot packed with local aviation memorabilia, the famous Chinese restaurant Song Min, and Roebuck Bay Hotel (known to locals as ‘The Roey’), Broome’s longest standing bar that was purpose-built in 1890 as respite for pearling crews.
On the trail, you’ll also taste prized pearl meat at Pearl Luggers, grab a drink at the oceanfront Mangrove Hotel, and visit the award-winning Matso’s Brewery.
If you’re visiting on a Saturday, a snack at the Broome Courthouse Markets is a must. They operate every Saturday morning from April to October in the Courthouse gardens and serve up delicious eats including traditional Japanese shaved ice, powdered donuts and the famous ‘lumpia’ (Filipino spring rolls).
4. Toodyay Food and Picnic Trail
The 34km 
The quirkiest stop on the trail is DromeDairy Body & Skin, a producer specialising in camel milk skincare products. After stocking up, pay the shop’s inquisitive camels a visit. The friendly dairy team also offer tours where you can learn how the camels are milked.
5. Blackwood River Valley Produce Trail
The driving loop between the towns of Balingup, Nannup and Bridgetown is filled with boutique stores, wineries and gourmet food producers. Hop on the Blackwood River Valley Food Trail to taste your way through this trio of townships. Local produce on offer is seasonal, and can include sweet chestnuts, sheep’s cheese, honey and local wines.
As it’s a long trail, try and ‘choose your own adventure’ when it comes to stop-offs. Popular treats include chestnut ice cream at Chestnut Brae, freshly picked plums from Spring Valley Orchard and honeycomb at Southern Forests Honey.
To extend your trip, head a little further to Boyup Brook to tour Blackwood Valley Beef, or up to Kirup and Donnybrook for baked goods and apples.
6. Denmark Food and Wine Trail
Denmark is famed for its cool climate wines and diverse range of local produce. On the 24km Denmark Food & Wine Trail, foodies can take their pick between breakfast, lunch or dinner (plus samples) at a wide range of restaurants, cafes and food producers in and around the town.
Start at Mrs Jones Café on Mt Shadforth Road and then head out of town to places such as Denmark Farmhouse Cheese, lunch at The Lake House or Rockcliffe, a tasting paddle at Boston Brewing Co and honey ice cream from Bartholomews Meadery.
The Mt Shadforth Scenic Drive is one of the region’s most beautiful routes, so it’s worth stopping off at the lookout to stretch your legs and take in the forest views.
RELATED:10 beautiful WA winter drives »
7. Margaret River Gourmet Food & Wine Trail
While there are countless places in and around Margaret River where you can indulge in gourmet goodies, the 4.5km Gourmet Food & Wine Trail along Tom Cullity Drive is a great start. Dr Tom Cullity was a pioneer of the region, having planted Margaret River’s first vines at Vasse Felix in 1967. Following in his footsteps, this trail meanders through world-class wineries, fine dining restaurants, and plenty of local food producers that offer samples and sell delicious treats.
There are eight wineries on the trail. Stop in at Peacetree Estate to sample low-preservative wines, Heydon Estate for a glimpse at local cricketing memorabilia, and Vasse Felix to visit ‘The Vault’ wine museum. Other notable stops include The Margaret River Chocolate Company, The Margaret River Nougat Company and Margaret River Providore.
8. Carnarvon Fruit Loop Drive Trail
Carnarvon supplies 80 per cent of WA’s fruit and vegetable crops. As a result, the town is filled with stalls, shopfronts and stores where you can pick up incredibly fresh produce. Known to locals as the ‘Fruit Loop’ Drive Trail, this 26km journey takes you past local plantations of bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, capsicums, stone fruit and avocadoes (all depending on the season).
Once you’ve stocked up on fruit and veg, purchase seafood straight off the boat at Pickles Point Seafood and grab a fruit ice cream at Morels Orchard.
The trail ends at the Gascoyne Growers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning from May to October. After you’ve filled your picnic basket (or car) with fresh Carnarvon produce, it’s a great place to grab a coffee, browse local arts and crafts, and enjoy live music.
9. Mount Barker Wine and Food Trail
Meet the families who own and run some of WA’s oldest wineries, sip tea overlooking the Stirling and Porongurup ranges, and pick at food platters at rustic cellar doors on the 104km Mount Barker Wine & Food Trail. Starting at the Mount Barker Visitor Centre, this trail will send you winery-hopping to sample wines, locally produced cheeses and meats, ovenfired pizzas and sweet scones and cakes.
If you’re hungry after a day on the trail, head to Maleeya’s Thai Café and Studio in town for dinner. It's a spicy favourite with locals.
10. Swan Valley Sweet Temptations Trail
Got a sweet tooth? The 14km Sweet Temptations Trail through the Swan Valley is just the ticket. Here you can sample and buy French macarons, gourmet nuts, homemade cakes, pure honey, handmade chocolate and signature fortified wines produced by local winemakers.
Once you’ve filled your basket with sweets, head for the Maali Bridge Park on the banks of the Swan River for a peaceful picnic.
Need to fuel up before hitting these food trails?
RAC members save 4 cents per litre at participating Puma Energy and Better Choice stations.
Last updated: October 2021Banner image credit: Tourism Western Australia
