Great Australian Culinary Voyage (Feb 2025)

Sydney - Hobart - Great Oyster Bay - Sydney

Savour delicious food and exquisite wines when you set sail on Cunard’s third annual Great Australian Culinary Voyage. From masterfully crafted dishes to spectacular Tasmanian coastal views, enjoy a feast for all senses on this very special voyage.

Following the incredible success of previous Great Australian Culinary Voyage, in 2025 restaurateur, chef, TV host and author Matt Moran will headline this excellent exploration of all things food and wine. He’ll be joined on board by fellow food experts Nornie Bero, Darren Purchese and Katie Spain, with other exciting guests still to be announced.

Spend five nights on board Queen Elizabeth, sailing roundtrip from Sydney, before visiting Hobart and cruising past the breath-taking Great Oyster Bay. As you head past the stunning scenery you’ll have the opportunity to learn from chefs, producers, and other culinary experts as they expound on the wonders of Australian cuisine.

While on board, will you take the chance to learn more about the local food scene in our ports of call with one of our Shore Experiences*? Tantalise your tastebuds with exquisite creations highlighting local treasures from land and sea. Swirl and sip iconic wines that capture the essence of Australia’s famed vineyards. Plus, for a truly special epicurean treat Matt Moran himself will be taking over The Verandah to create an exclusive menu for guests*, as well as curating an exclusive dinner for the Britannia Restaurant.

Matt Moran: With over 30 stellar years in the food industry behind him, a plethora of awards to his name, appearances on prime-time TV shows, a handful of best-selling cookbooks under his belt, and the tour de force behind some of Australia’s most celebrated dining establishments including two-hatted Aria, Chiswick, North Bondi Fish and Opera Bar; it’s safe to say that Matt Moran is an Australian food icon.

Matt is a pioneer in Australia of the ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy and a firm believer in the importance of consumers being connected to the source of their food. At the heart of every one of Matt’s endeavours lies a passion for fresh, seasonal produce. This philosophy is showcased in his award-winning contemporary Australian menus that emphasise seasonal ingredients, balanced flavours, and premium-quality produce.

Julie Goodwin: Australia’s first ever MasterChef winner, Julie Goodwin has been a household name in Australia since 2009. Over the years Julie has been on numerous TV shows, released best-selling books, radio, appearances, columns and endorsements.

Julie will be conducting hands on cooking skills workshops* as well as hosting our culinary talent on stage, where she will discuss their impressive careers, influences and approach to cooking.

Darren Purchese: Known for his exquisite sweet creations, Darren Purchese is one of Australia's most creative chefs. He was executive pastry chef at restaurants like Vue de monde and Bennelong before opening the iconic Sweet Studio with wife Cath Claringbold in 2011. The couple also recently launched Studio Kitchen, an online hub for food lovers.

A natural host and accomplished public speaker, Darren is a regular on TV, most notably MasterChef Australia and The Great Australian Bake Off. He’s also an accomplished food writer with 5 published books and has contributed to major publications worldwide.

The Melbourne chef will return to Cunard’s Great Australian Voyage for a third time in 2025 to surprise and delight guests with his colourful creations and exclusive hands-on experiences.

Nornie Bero: As a professional chef of over 25 years, and Island girl from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people in the Torres Strait, Nornie is passionate about making native ingredients the hero of the Australian kitchen.

Nornie is the founder and CEO of Mabu Mabu - a native food business with a flagship restaurant in Melbourne’s Federation Square. She has authored her own cookbook and contributed her food expertise to multiple TV shows.

On board Queen Elizabeth, Nornie will showcase her unique skills by creating a fabulous native Australian menu during a takeover of the Lido Alternative dining venue*. She’ll also be hosting talks and a cooking demonstration so that guests can learn about Australia’s native produce and cuisine from her first-hand.

Katie Spain: One of Australia’s leading wine and drinks experts, writer and journalists, Kate Spain is the national drinks writer for Good Food, a feature writer for Australia’s Wine Business Magazine, and South Australia state editor for Gourmet Traveller.

The much-loved wine expert will be returning to Cunard’s Great Australian Voyage for a second time in 2025. Her wine masterclasses and Lunch & Learn sessions* aren’t just highly educational but also entertaining, so book early to make sure you don’t miss out. Learn about some of Australia’s most popular wine regions as well as Katie’s favourite upcoming winemakers and vineyards in her Wine Masterclasses*. Katie will also curate and co-host a bespoke shore excursion* around Hobart exclusively for guests on this exciting voyage.