Today's travelers increasingly prioritize food and wine experiences when planning their vacations. According to research by the IMARC Group, the Australian food and beverage tourism market reached US$ 31.2 billion last year, driven by growing interest in culinary experiences, local cuisines, regional food festivals, farm-to-table experiences, and regional wine tourism. Choice Hotels has identified several hidden gems across Australia for sublime food and wine experiences.

Mooloolaba, Queensland: This Sunshine Coast spot offers beachy charm with a laid-back vibe. Start the day at The Velo Project, known for locally sourced produce. Take a Bush Tucker Cruise with Saltwater Eco Tours at The Wharf, showcasing Indigenous ingredients. Dinner at The Dock Mooloolaba provides pub classics with river views. Stay at First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection’s resort-style apartments.

Ballarat, Victoria: This vibrant city offers modern-day treasures beyond its gold rush history. Underbar, led by Chef Derek Boath, offers an intimate dining experience. Timboon Fine Ice Cream on Sturt Street offers unique ice cream, including a dog-friendly range. Kinfolk Ballarat, in Delacombe, serves coffee, cakes, and toasties. Quality Inn The George Hotel Ballarat provides stylish accommodation on historic Lydiard Street North.

Devonport, Tasmania: As the first port of call for the Spirit of Tasmania, Devonport is a gateway to foodie exploration. Leaping Goat Coffee in Quoiba offers coffee and dining with a view of the roastery. Stroll through the Tasmanian Arboretum’s botanical gardens. Visit Spreyton Cider, an apple orchard and cider producer. Comfort Inn Devonport is a short walk from town.

Esperance, Western Australia: This town is a gold mine for local brewing and eateries, alongside white sandy beaches. Lucky Bay Brewing offers craft beer and wood-fired pizzas. Bread Local offers freshly baked bread and goods on Fridays and Saturdays. Esperance Distillery offers uniquely infused spirits with artwork from local Western Australian artists. Comfort Inn Bay of Isles is centrally located.

Adelaide Hills, South Australia: A short drive from Adelaide, this region offers wine and cheese experiences. Visit Woodside Cheese Wrights and Shaw + Smith Wines. Try the Anthill goat chèvre, a Best Australian Cheese winner. Enjoy Sauvignon Blanc at Shaw + Smith’s cellar door.

These are hands down the BEST blueberry muffins! With a perfectly moist, tender crumb and a sparkling sugar crust, these bakery-style muffins are bursting with sweet and juicy blueberries. The recipe is easy to make with just a few ingredients. Sweet but not overly sweet, these blueberry muffins make a delicious sweet treat for snack, breakfast, or anything in between. You can make them with fresh or frozen blueberries, with or without the sugar crumb top.

Why these are the BEST Blueberry Muffins:They are an easy muffin recipe with simple ingredients. They have a perfectly moist and tender crumb and are bursting with juicy blueberries.

What goes into blueberry muffins?: Blueberries. Yogurt. White sugar + brown sugar. Butter. Eggs. All-purpose flour + baking powder + salt. Cinnamon.

How to make blueberry muffins?: Combine the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then gently fold in the blueberries. Do not overmix! Scoop the batter into the muffin tins, and bake!

How to avoid blueberries to sink in the bottom of the muffins? Coat the blueberries with a little bit of flour in a bowl before using. If you are using frozen blueberries, rinse them briefly (without thawing them) before coating with flour to prevent any streaking or bleeding of the blueberries into your batter.

Tips for making the Best blueberry muffins:Use full-fat yogurt for best results. Coat the blueberries with flour to prevent them from sinking in the bottom of the muffins while baking. Do not overmix the batter. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar to create a crunchy muffin top.

These blueberry muffins keep very well at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for a week. You can also freeze your blueberry muffins. Once they are completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours or warm them up in the microwave for about 1 minute (this is my preferred option).