Highlights
Food & Wine, Wildlife & Culture
Duration
6 days
Regions
Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island
Adelaide is a relaxed, sophisticated city - easy to explore by foot or free city bike. The warm climate and great atmosphere draws people out for dining and socialising in many 'eat-streets'.
The Barossa, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale are South Australia's best known wine regions and chances are you will meet the growers, producers and makers in person when visiting.
The ultimate island escape can be found on Kangaroo Island where its conservation status means that native animals can be seen thriving in their pristine island environment.
Day 1
Adelaide
Adelaide has the buzz, culture and sophistication of a big city with a laid-back style. Explore the Adelaide Central Market, the largest food and produce market in Australia. Take a walk along the River Torrens or North Terrace to see Adelaide’s cultural precinct that’s home to: South Australian Museum and its collection of Aboriginal artefacts, the Art Gallery of South Australia, State Library and Botanic Garden. Continue to the National Wine Centre that showcases Australia’s wine industry. Dine along one of Adelaide’s many ‘eat streets’, entire streets devoted to wining and dining such as Rundle, Waymouth and Gouger Streets. Emerging dining laneways include Leigh and Peel Streets. For more ideas, please refer to The Coolest Boutique Capital.
Overnight: Adelaide
Day 2
Adelaide - Barossa
The Barossa is the focus for outstanding festivals, food and hospitality. With over 80 cellar doors to visit, you’ll never be short of somewhere to taste Australia’s most famous reds, whites and sparklings. Visit wineries like Yalumba Family Winemakers, Seppeltsfield, St Hugo and Jacob’s Creek. At Penfolds join a ‘Make Your Own Blend’ tour – after an introduction to varietals and blending you test your skills and blend a wine to take home. For an uninterrupted view over the region head to Mengler Hill.
Overnight: Barossa
Adelaide to Tanunda: 74kms/46miles 1-hour drive
Day 3
Barossa - Adelaide Hills
Travel south to the Adelaide Hills this morning and stop at the Whispering Wall near Williamstown, to marvel at this acoustic phenomenon. The Adelaide Hills are well known for cool climate wines, some of the best wineries include Hahndorf Hill, Shaw + Smith, The Lane and Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard. Spend time in the historic village of Hahndorf - it has some fantastic new boutique cellar doors as well as good restaurants like the Hahndorf Inn. For regional produce visit the Beerenberg Farm and Udder Delights. Close by, The Cedars is artist Hans Heysen’s former house and beautiful garden. For a wildlife experience with a difference travel to Cleland or Gorge Wildlife Park and cuddle a koala.
Overnight: Adelaide Hills
Tanunda to Hahndorf via Birdwood and Mt Torrens: 77km/48miles, 1-hour drive
Day 4
Adelaide Hills - McLaren Vale
Travel south-west through the lovely Adelaide Hills to McLaren Vale on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Spend some time visiting some of McLaren Vale’s 70 cellar door like d'Arenberg, Shottesbrooke, Gemtree and Wirra Wirra, who offer a range of experiences at their cellar door. Continue south to Victor Harbor, a popular coastal resort town and a great place to watch Southern Right whales in winter. For a bit of adventure go on a Big Duck Boat Tour and discover seals, dolphins and seabirds from the water.
Overnight: Victor Harbor
Hahndorf to McLaren Vale: 44km/27miles, 45-minute drive
McLaren Vale to Victor Harbor: 47km/29miles, 40-minute drive
Day 5
Fleurieu Peninsula - Kangaroo Island
Drive to Cape Jervis to board a ferry to Kangaroo Island. A minimum of two days is recommended to explore the island, which is known for its diversity and abundance of wildlife. Echidnas, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies are frequently found, providing a remarkable close-up wildlife experience. Drive to Seal Bay Conservation Park where guided tours down to the beach ensure the closest possible encounter with the sea lions that live here. There is accommodation close to the park and also a large range of accommodation in Kingscote, American River and Penneshaw.
Overnight: Kangaroo Island
Victor Harbor to Cape Jervis: 60km/37miles, 1-hour drive
Penneshaw to Seal Bay: 96km/60miles, 1-hour drive
Seal Bay to Kingscote: 50km/31miles, 40-minute drive.
Day 6
Kangaroo Island - Adelaide
Continue exploring Kangaroo Island today. Travel to the western end of the Island to see some of the most iconic locations in Flinders Chase National Park. There are beautiful, secluded beaches on the north coast. The Island also produces wonderful foods and products including honey from the world’s only pure Ligurian bees, eucalyptus oil and wine. Many of the Island’s producers have retail outlets and offer tours to visitors. This afternoon, make your way to Penneshaw for the return ferry journey.
Overnight: Adelaide
Kingscote to Penneshaw: 58km/36miles, 45-minute drive
Cape Jervis to Adelaide: 107km/66.5miles, 2-hour drive