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Australians are so passionate about good food and quality drinks that it's hard to imagine a tour that doesn't involve sampling the local produce. Most of Cruise excursions Down Under involve eating and drinking. From Perth, it's got to be wine, with the lush vineyards of the Swan Valley so close to the city. On a day trip to this famous region, you'll sample local beers as well as wines, followed by a traditional "barbie" (barbecue). Dessert is a matter of grazing at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, before a stop at the Cape Lavender Teahouse, where the lavender-infused jams, honeys, oils, chutney and even sweet chili sauce make authentic gifts to take home.
From Cairns, on the opposite coast, the Go Local tour takes you to the Food Bowl, aka the town of Mareeba, to the less-than-tempting sounding Termite Fruit Veg & Takeaway market. Luckily, termites aren't on the menu, but dragon fruit, purple pumpkins and lychees are.
No trip in Australia is complete without coffee, in this case, courtesy of Coffee Works, where there's also a chocolate tasting and, after lunch, a coffee liqueur.
Meanwhile, at Burnie in Tasmania, there's a chance to indulge in what many would regard as the holy trilogy: cheese, chocolate and wine. The lush pasture around the town is perfect for raising cattle, with sharp cheddar, creamy Camembert and parmesan all made locally. All that cream and butter goes into Belgian-style chocolates, too, with a tasting featuring dark ganache truffles, white chocolate buttons and orange-flavored fudge. Throw in a flinty pinot grigio and a fruity rose to wash it all down and you may never leave.
Cruising The World
