Limestone Coast flavour added to 2025 event

One of the country’s longest running food and beverage festivals, Tasting Australia has announced Journey Beyond as the festival’s new presenting partner for 2025 and beyond.

The partnership announcement came as the first event of the 2025 program was revealed.

Tasting Australia by Train, operated by Journey Beyond will return to the festival program in 2025 after a sellout inaugural event in 2024.

As Australia’s largest experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond operates some of the country’s most iconic travel experiences, featuring 16 brands nationwide, including the renowned 95-year-old rail experience, The Ghan.

At the heart of all Journey Beyond experiences is the commitment to take guests further and create special moments for travellers, making it an ideal partner for Tasting Australia.

The partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the festival, enhancing the celebration of South Australia’s exceptional food, drink and travel experiences.

The 2025 iteration of Tasting Australia by Train is a collaboration between members of the Ayubi family from Adelaide restaurant Parwana and Duncan Welgemoed from Africola for Tasting Australia by Train: Africola X Parwana.

The 10-hour gastronomic journey from Melbourne – Adelaide takes place onboard The Ghan’s dining and lounge carriages, travelling with the Overland.

The 2025 festival program is now on sale at tastingaustralia.com.au with the event running from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 11, across Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Mount Gambier based chef Kirby Shearing will be part of the 2025 showcase – heading to Adelaide to cook up a storm as part of the Town Square Canteen on May 6.

Kirby’s heart and soul lies in the Limestone Coast where he owns and operates Soul Co, a hospitality company comprised of a restaurant, café, bespoke catering and consulting business.

His latest passion project, Elementary By Soul Co, has been gaining attention for its new age regional dining approach. Food and service heavily leans on the true meaning of hospitality, working with community and surrounds to deliver unique dining experiences.

Meanwhile, Shearing’s catering services have been a longtime go-to for premium experiences in the region outside of his bricks and mortar establishment.

Penola’s Royal Oak Hotel is one of the regional venues, taking the opportunity to showcase this region’s premium produce.

Relax with a selection of canapés featuring Mayura Station wagyu prepared by local chefs including Brendan Boothroyd and Ben Dowler. A glass of Balnaves cabernet will complement each creation.

Menu highlights include braised and smoked brisket sliders with horseradish slaw, smoked meatballs with truffled pecorino, and a chargrilled hangar steak sandwich with wasabi slaw. Indulge in the rich taste of yakitori wagyu skewers and spicy wagyu tartare on rice paper.

Don’t miss this chance to savour the finest local ingredients in every bite.

South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said Tasting Australia had become a key fixture on the state’s events calendar, and they were thrilled to welcome Journey Beyond as the presenting partner for this iconic festival.

“This partnership brings together South Australia’s finest food experiences with Australia’s leading experiential travel company, Journey Beyond and its exceptional travel offerings, creating new opportunities to showcase our state’s unique food culture to a wider audience,” Minister Bettison said.

Tasting Australia festival director Karena Armstrong echoed the welcome to the new event partners.

“Journey Beyond’s commitment to offering extraordinary travel experiences aligns perfectly with the ethos of Tasting Australia,” she said. “Together, we will create unforgettable moments for festival-goers, showcasing the very best of our state’s food and drink while opening up new ways for visitors to experience South Australia. This partnership will add a whole new dimension to the festival and we can’t wait to share more.”

Tasting Australia by Train: the Melbourne-Adelaide day-trip introduced for the first time last year sold out so Journey Beyond was thrilled to provide this experience again for guests in 2025.

A culinary journey experience with a Ghan lounge carriage, dining carriage and an Overland seating carriage, guests experience the romance of rail, world-class food and wine that their journeys are renowned for, it’s a Ghan experience, and an Overland journey interstate adventure.