Australia's first-ever Michelin stars go to 11 restaurants in one state
All of the spots are in South Australia, spanning Adelaide and its surrounding wine regions.
Australia has received its first Michelin stars, with 11 restaurants in South Australia earning the honour in the guide’s inaugural selection for the country.
Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide was the only venue to be awarded two stars, while 10 others received one star each.
According to national broadcaster ABC, South Australia’s government funded undercover inspectors to travel around the state, which explains why no venues in other parts of the country were included.
The announcement comes more than 100 years after the Michelin Guide was first released in France and after years of failed efforts to bring it to Australia.
Over the past 10 years, Michelin has spoken several times with the national tourism board about introducing the guide to the country, but those talks did not lead to a deal.
South Australia chose to strike out on its own and secure its own agreement. The state government has not revealed the amount it paid, but Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the spending in an interview with the broadcaster.
"It is enabling us to create a tourism destination and put us on the world map," she said.
The decision follows Michelin’s expansion into New Zealand, which in July became the first destination in Oceania to be included in the guide, after agreeing to pay NZ$6.3m (£2.7m; $3.5m) over three years for its inclusion.
Founded by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in 1900, the guide was originally intended to encourage motorists to travel, ultimately supporting their main tyre-selling business. It provided drivers with maps and recommendations for places to eat and stay before becoming one of the most recognised names in restaurant awards.
Michelin stars were introduced in 1926 and have since become a major accolade for chefs and restaurants worldwide.
One star denotes high-quality cooking, two stars mean excellent cooking worth a detour, and three stars are reserved for exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
Among the one-star winners is Arkhé in Norwood, which focuses on open-fire cooking, while Aptos in Adelaide offers a tasting menu centred on native Australian ingredients.
The broader guide features more than 70 other South Australian restaurants, including some recognised in the Bib Gourmand category, which spotlights restaurants serving good food at more moderate prices.