Food Trails | Fruits, Tropical and Exotic Fruits and Food, Seafood and Aquaculture

The tropical North Queensland region of Australia has good reason to claim the unique tag of the Exotic Fruit Bowl of the World, although there's much more to the region … there's also exotic produce.

The extensive array of seafood, game meats, aquaculture, pasta, fresh flowers, the flourishing new certified organic and bush food industries, or the less perishable and more hardy items like pepper, ginger, Asian spices and greens, cassava and taro, nuts, dehydrated foods, coffee, tea, sugar, are now in high demand and destined for elegant dinner tables or bountiful BBQ's around Australia and the world. But there's even more to soak up … the luscious tropical ice creams, liqueurs and wines… all have a part to play in the growth of Tropical North Queensland and all can be enjoyed just by participating in one of the Five Food Trails.

But how can such a diverse collection of exotic foods flourish in such a small geographical area?

Tropical zones are known to be green belts because a vast majority of the world's plant and animal species exists in this region. In fact, our very existence and health of the planet depends on this Green Belt to replenish the world's oxygen.

The east coast of tropical Australia, i.e. far south from Cairns to way north past Port Douglas, is bound on one side by the world's largest natural aquarium and on the other by Green Belts of steep mountain ranges. When combined with fertile volcanic soils, and coastal maritime winds carrying moist air; tropical rainforests are subsequently produced.

Throughout this entire region diverse micro-climates exist; each with different soil, rainfall and geographical conditions. This provides all the essential factors necessary for growing and producing a year-long supply of intriguing produce and fresh and dried tropical fruits. In fact, more varieties of exotic and tropical fruit grow in TNQ than almost anywhere else in the world.

Within this region millions of visitors come each year to view one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World" - the Great Barrier Reef, the Wet Tropics Rainforests and the Tropical Atherton Tablelands. Now visitors can indulge and enjoy in a casual comfortable way, new sensory pleasures during any one of the five Taste of the Tropics fascinating Food Trails.

But the birth of the oversized 'fruit bowl' is worth grasping … and more importantly, understanding why the TNQ region is so significant in world terms.

Earlier last century people came from all over the world to work in the mining, pearling and sugar cane industries yet their culture and cuisine remained alive. It was only four decades ago that people recognised that tropical and exotic fruit was more suited to the tropical climate than the fruit of the southern regions of Australia. They subsequently introduced many exotic plants that were ultimately to become a dynamic and unique part of this wonderful lush, quietly dynamic region.

But there's another significant factor that has strongly contributed to the growth, and success of this tropical region.

Around the world, there are few politically stable tropical regions … areas that have safe agricultural standards, exceptional research and development, that are sensitive to the environment, as well as being safe areas in which to live and visit. This is a surprising fact when considering this issue, because almost without exception the tropical North Queensland region is possibly the only tropical region in the world that fulfills these criteria.

The exotic and tropical industries of the Tropical North Queensland have a rewarding and wonderful future. For some already it's big business on both the domestic and international markets while others are newcomers, and whether you select one or all five "Taste of the Tropics Food Trails", the individuality of each trail will undoubtedly provide locals and visitors alike, a sensory journey to remember.

5. TASTE OF THE MOUNTAIN TABLELANDS - Atherton - Malanda - Millaa Millaa - Yungaburra - Herberton - Tolga

To experience each will take time, there's so much more to explore … more than any one or two day stay will permit … so do enjoy the unique hospitality of the country hotels, B n Bs or farmstay properties, as each will provide visitors with a more memorable experience.

Other sights along these food trails provide contrasting experiences … relaxing over a cold beer in an authentic outback pub … viewing some of the wonderful ornamental horticulture, or even exploring some of the lush protected areas of many endangered species. The outback and bush are often seen as the spiritual heart of Australia. This magic is shared with visitors by the area's traditional protectors and landowners.

But then one cannot ignore other immense taste experiences on offer - luscious mangoes, rambutans, lychees, abiu, sapodilla, longans, black persimmon, jakfruit, durian, or the more than 100 other varieties of exotic produce await the adventurous trail blazer. Alternatively take some produce home with you or enjoy simply at a picnic outdoors.

MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE FOOD TRAIL ARE OWNER/OPERATORS OF SMALL BUSINESSES, THEREFORE PLEASE RESPECT THE OPENING TIMES OF THEIR PREMISES.

The 'Taste of the Tropics' Food Trail is the initiative of Australian Tropical Foods, a collaborative marketing cluster group of the Food Industry in the Tropical North Queensland region, funded by the Regional Solutions Program and is a non-profit organization. This project appreciates the support given by Queensland State Development and the Shires of Atherton, Eacham and Mareeba.