Aussie Road Trip Food: 15 Must Eats

What exactly is Australian food? Good question! Vegemite on toast for breakfast and a piece of homegrown roo on the barbie for dinner? Let’s find out! Travellers Autobarn has listed the 15 must-eat Australian foods you have to eat during your upcoming road trip. Cheers!

1. Kangaroo meat

The kangaroo has been historically a staple source of protein for indigenous Australians. Kangaroo meat is high in protein and low in fat (about 2%). The issue of whether or not it is ethical to kill and eat kangaroos is an extremely controversial one. What does it taste like? The author of the blog ‘The Tasting Buds’ described it perfectly accurate: ‘It’s a cross between venison and buffalo meat. Not quite as dry as deer but still leaner than buffalo. It has a wonderful gamey taste (because roos live in the wild and feed on grass and shrubs) that adds a lot of flavor without being overpowering.’

Kangaroo meat by @christianoguerra

2. Tim Tam’s

This much-loved chocolate biscuit is made up of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, seperated by a light chocolate filling and coated in melted chocolate. The brand says they produce around 35 million packs each year. That’s 400 million biscuits at an average of 1.7 packs per Australian!

3. Vanilla Slice

The thought of vanilla slices brings many Aussies back to their school canteen days. The name is unassuming, but the Vanilla Slice is an almost iconic dessert in Australia. Much like the chocolate chip cookie in the US. The slice has some sort of pastry bottom and top, and a thick, vanilla custard filling.

4. Beetroot burger

Nothing is more Australian than a piece of beetroot on top an Australian beef pattie.

Beetroot burger via The Urban List

5. Damper

This iconic Australian food was the staple of road workers and bushies in the early days.
It’s a simple soda bread made from wheat flour, water and a pinch of salt, then baked in the coals of a campfire and drizzled with golden syrup.

Damper photo via The landy

6. Anzac biscuits

The Anzac biscuit is a crunchy commemoration of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in the World War. The Anzac biscuit was made by wives during the war and sent to soldiers, because the basic ingredients (rolled oats, flour, sugar, desiccated coconut, golden syrup, butter, bicarbonate of soda and water) were able to keep for a long time, even on long boat journeys.

Anzac Biscuits photo source Simple Green Frugal

7. Weetbix

‘How many do YOU eat?’ This high-fibre breakfast biscuit made from whole-grain wheat has been an Australian food favourite since 1930. Weetbix is smaller, sweeter and more brick-like than the Weetabix that’s found in other countries. Throw in a banana, a spoonful of sugar and some milk and your ultimate aussie brekkie is served!

8. Lamingtons

The lamington is seen as the “National Cake of Australia.” The Lamington is a square-shaped sponge cake coated in a layer of chocolate icing and desiccated coconut. It’s a perfect accompaniment to tea and coffee.

Photo source Broadsheet.com.au

9. Sausage roll

The sausage roll is sausage meat wrapped in pastry and oven-baked. A simple but delicious snack.

Sausage roll photo via The Urban List

10. Chicken parmigiana

Chicken parmigiana is a chicken dish based on the Italian Parmigiana. It consists of crumbed chicken schnitzel covered in ham, napolitana sauce and cheese. It’s easy to make and always a pleaser.

11. Avocado on toast

Aussies love avocado on toast. Avocado toast is technically just sliced or smashed avocado on top of a piece of toast. Top it off with a drizzle of lemon and salt and pepper and you’ve created yourself a signature aussie breakfast dish.

Smashed avocado photo source The Urbanlist

12. Meat pies

An Australian meat pie is a hand-sized meat pie containing largely diced or minced meat and gravy, sometimes with onion, mushrooms, or cheese and often consumed as a takeaway food snack.

13. Vegemite on toast

Many people love it and many hate it but Vegemite is considered to be an Australian icon.  Vegemite is a dark brown Australian food paste made from leftover brewer’s yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. Vegemite was invented in the 1920s and was promoted for its health benefits. It is eaten as a snack or for breakfast. Spread it lightly on buttered toast.

Vegemite toast via ABC.net

14. Spag bol

Sure, spaghetti bolognese is a quintessentially Italian dish. But when made with Aussie beef and mushrooms, ‘spag bol’ takes on an Australian feel.

15. Flake and chips

Flake is a term used in Australia to indicate the flesh of any of several species of small shark, particularly the gummy shark. Don’t worry, gummy shark caught in southern Australian waters is considered a sustainable choice by the federal government.

Flake and chips, photo source: The Conversation

If you want more tips for camping recipes or even more innovative and delicious camping ideas, Travellers Autobarn has got you covered! Check out our blogs dedicated to easy campervan and camp cooking, as well as our breakfast, lunch and dinner recipe ideas.

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