A GROWING number of travellers are swapping their guide books for boutique resorts and mouth-watering menus as the desire for new experiences fuels foodie travellers to include culinary experiences as part of their travels.

Two of the Whitsundays' gems rate a mention as top destinations - One and Only Hayman Island and Hamilton Island's Qualia tempting travellers' tastebuds.

Travel Associates' David Lovelock said this food-based travel trend was especially true for domestic travel, with Queensland offering some of the best hotels and resorts that feature world-class dining and culinary experiences for even the most discerning foodie traveller.

"Queensland hotels and resorts have embraced the foodie travel trend by developing exceptional culinary offerings to the benefit and delight of the traveller," Mr Lovelock said.

"Many luxury lodges, resorts and spas across the state are now home to award-winning restaurants that offer mouth-watering menus and culinary experiences that rival almost anywhere else in the world.

"Travel Associates top destinations include One and Only Hayman Island, Qualia, Spicers Peak Lodge and Lizard Island; which all happen to be acclaimed foodie destinations with clients travelling there specifically for the culinary experiences on offer."

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said Queensland's culinary delights played a big part in many quintessential holiday experiences throughout the state.

"Food has become a strong factor in holiday decision making, and Queensland has embraced this growing trend offering a diverse array of culinary experiences for visitors," Ms Coddington said.

"With amazing beach-front seafood experiences, world-famous beef from Rockhampton, emerging wineries on the Gold Coast hinterland, indigenous food experiences in the tropical north and many other culinary offerings around the state, Queensland is the best address on earth."

Mr Lovelock said with many of us living time-poor lifestyles, often a gourmet escape in our own backyard is all people need to feel a million miles away.

"Queensland is blessed when it comes to destination dining thanks to the picturesque natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and sparkling beaches to the lush rainforests in the state's Daintree and south east hinterland regions," he said.

"The Sunshine State has also embraced chefs who are passionate about the produce they use and the food they produce, they are aware that for destination dining to be a success their restaurant to offer a unique dining experience that matches the resort setting and creates a genuinely memorable experience people are willing to travel for.

"Queensland has certainly stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge, to the delight of the foodie traveller."