South Australia is a one stop destination for world class wines, unbeatable gourmet food and produce, spectacular natural scenery and unique wildlife. The State’s varied and diverse regions offer visitors a broad range of experiences and although I had been many time to South Australia, my recent May trip courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission and Tourism Australia amazed me at how much South Australia had matured in the offerings to tourists. Whether it’s wine, food, nature or culture, every region is a place you can be immersed, surrounded by up close and personal experiences no matter what type of traveller you are, South Australia is sure to get experience seekers closer to their passions.
We started in it’s Capital Adelaide, with a thriving restaurant and bar scene, great parklands, and sporting ovals. Our accommodation E O S by SkyCity , is new luxury for the city attached to the casino and central to everything in the city. Just a short stroll away is the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, a wonderful place when not looking for retail therapy.
Forty minutes from Adelaide , the Fleurieu Peninsula offers some of the finest coastal scenery and culinary experiences and we were cared for by Coast & Co who were our personalised tour guides. Within the Fleurieu you will know and have heard more about McLaren Vale, home to some of the country’s best wines, and after tippling throughout the day home was Sequoia Lodge, the newest edition to the Mount Lofty Estate with 14 contemporary , luxurious suites with unparalleled tree top views over the Piccadilly Valley and our stay was topped off by dinner in the famous Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant within Mount Lofty House., which dates back to 1852.
Small Batch Wine Tours showed us around the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa which is only 25 mins from Adelaide city centre, but it’s a cool climate which makes it another of South Australia’s famous wine regions. We drove down leafy autumn lanes, through villages steeped in history like Aldgate, Stirling, Oakbank, Birdwood, Mount Barker and Hahndorf before arriving at our next great accommodation, the Louise and Applelation which is ideally situated in the heart of the legendary Barossa wine country with breathtaking vineyard views. Appelation for dinner was an amazing degustation meal with the finest of fresh , local ingredients and wines to add to the experience.
There is so much to see and do , close to Adelaide, so whether it’s a long weekend getaway, the end or beginning of a Ghan Train experience or you are passing through with your caravan in tow, spend time and enjoy the state of South Australia – I certainly did, – Robyn Sinfield May 23 #hometravelcompany www.hometravelcompany.com.au
