7 places in australia that feel like europe
truffle hunting, rich fields of tulips, sprawling spanish manors⌠no, weâre not taking about europe. australia does not typically conjure images of this northern continent, but a colonial history and varied multicultural influences mean that little pockets of france, holland, and beyond dot the continent. infused with great australian produce and a laidback aussie charm, you need not travel far to experience the best of europe right on your doorstep.
Tasmaniaâs Lavender Fields, TAS
tasmania is home to lavender fields of ephemeral beauty that give franceâs provence a true run for its money. picture row upon row of mauve, lilac, violet and plum stretching as far as the eye can see. Bridestowe lavender estate and port arthur lavender farm are the most well-known and most-photographed destinations in the region, but wander off the beaten path a little, and youâll find places like campo de flori that offer a quieter experience during flowering season. youâll find the fields at their most amaranthine and resplendent in december and january, but each season offers its own unique colour palette worth seeing first-hand.
Hahndorf, south australia
just 25 minutes from adelaide, hahndorf is a microcosm of german charm. founded by prussian luterhans in 1839, itâs australiaâs oldest surviving german settlement. a visit to hahndorf offers the best of germany infused with great australian produce and a more laidback, local sensibility. wander the streets and admire the historic homesteads, snack on apple strudel and gingerbread, and if youâre feeling thirsty, sit down for a pint or two of lager at their craft brewery, visit one of the townâs several wineries, or their local gin distillery.
Paronella park, QLD
spanish architecture is not something youâd typically associate with the tropical rainforests and sunny beaches of northern queensland, but at paronella park, thatâs exactly why youâll find. in 1913, josĂŠ paronella arrived in australia from catalonia and envisioned a grand manor fit for spanish royalty. the endeavour was a true labour of love, as paronella built the manor brick by brick as a gift for his wife, Margarita - her own little slice of paradise. today, the natural world has encroached upon the castle, although the bones of paronellaâs dream are still in place, hinting at the mansionâs past splendour. the property is entirely carbon neutral (paronella himself installed the parkâs hydroelectric power plant, that has since been restored and produces enough to sustain the park and its surrounding campgrounds).
truffle hunting in the southern forests, WA
you donât need to travel to europe to experience a wild truffle hunt. Manjimup in western australia is the southern hemisphereâs biggest producer of this black delicacy. the cool climate region is remniscent of englandâs lush forests, and its incredibly fertile soils mean that it boasts some of the best produce in the country. australian truffle traders host truffle hunts, lead by some very cute (but professional!) labradors. every year the region hosts truffle kerfuffle, an annual celebration of this most decadent of foods.
the southern highlands, nsw
just a short drive out of sydney, the southern highlands feel worlds away from the fast-paced urban centre of nsw. with prim rose gardens, victorian architecture, and some of the best antique shopping around, the region feels like a little piece of the british countryside. if youâre in bowral (a must in our books), stop by retford park, a heritage-protected homestead that is a perfectly preserved slice of australiaâs colonial past.
tulip farms, tasmania
perched atop table cape, an ancient volcanic crater, sits a patchwork of farmland. For just one month of each year, these fields explode to life, bursting oranges, pinks, whites, greens, and reds. weâre talking about tulip season, of course, an ephemeral event that has made tasmania world-renowned, and is a connection to itâs dutch name. the stunning floral show makes tasmania well worth a visit in september/october, and makes it a worthy rival to the famous tulip fields of holland.