- DESTINATIONS / Australia
- 9 February 2020
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WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, you’ll find it all here in South Australia. Whether you’re taking a helicopter flight to a vineyard in the Barossa Valley, swimming with dolphins and fur seals off Kangaroo Island, or just admiring the gardens and colonial architecture of the City of Churches, there is something for everyone.
Food and wine lovers, nature lovers and those who appreciate a state rich in history will be in their element, while those who want to unwind somewhere far from the madding crowd but where the best things in life are still on offer will be delighted. Following are some of the state’s signatures to whet your appetite and plan your itinerary.
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The home of Grange
A bottle of Grange is the Holy Grail of the Australian wine industry. This revered red is crafted at Penfolds Magill Estate, located at the foot of the Adelaide Hills and only 15 minutes from the city centre. On a private tour, guests can explore underground tunnels where the brand’s most valuable wine is stored, or ramble by twilight to see the original home of 1844 founder Mary Penfold.
Tee off at one of the oldest golf clubs in Australia
Nine Australian Open tournaments have been held at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club, which was founded in 1892 and improved by British designer Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1926. The Royal Adelaide Golf Club is ranked within the top 10 golf courses in Australia and the top 100 courses in the world.
The Louise
Part vineyard, part luxury retreat, The Louise and its acclaimed restaurant look out over the gentle undulations of the Barossa Valley wine region. Guests of The Louise can also enjoy an exclusive experience at Penfolds Barossa Valley, where they can personally blend a bottle of wine before sitting down to a meal invented by the chef to match their creation.
A–Z of Barossa wine
Go back to school with a glass of wine in hand at iconic winery Jacobs Creek, one of Australia’s most recognisable and longest-running brands. Interested pupils can learn about wine history, styles and winemaking, tour the vineyard on foot or by bike, undertake cooking classes and tastings, or sit down to a multi-course lunch, either in the restaurant or as a picnic among the vines.
Taste your birth year
Seppeltsfield is one of Australia’s oldest wineries, so it’s fitting that guests can sample their birth year vintage of Tawny port direct from the barrel, while hearing about the complex maturation process from an expert guide. Seppeltsfield has been maturing port since 1878, storing the longest line of century-old Tawny in the world.
Helicopter over the Barossa
A scenic helicopter flight over the pretty Barossa wine region heralds the beginning of a Prestige Experience at the Pernod Ricard-owned St Hugo Wines. Touching down, guests explore the premium label’s hallowed red wines in the $5-million cellar door and restaurant, which mixes heritage bluestone bones with a modern shell. An eight-course, wine-matched lunch overlooking the countryside completes the day.
Australia’s new monument
The d’Arenberg Cube has to be seen to be believed. Resembling a black and white Rubik’s cube in turning motion and topped with umbrellas and a transparent ceiling, it’s an unlikely sight among the grapevines at this idiosyncratic McLaren Vale winery. Helicopter in from Adelaide to blend your own take-home shiraz, then kick back with an eight-course degustation at d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant.
Ultimate luxury lodge
Perched atop a cliff overlooking the rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island, the multiple-award-winning Southern Ocean Lodge redefined Australian luxury and makes for a remarkable base for exploring the area. A half-day private tour to Flinders Chase National Park reveals a wealth of native wildlife including kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, goannas and fur seals.
Family fun
Kangaroo Island has a number of private tours, many of which are developed specifically for families. Ocean fans will love swimming with dolphins and sea rafting, while others may want to meet sea lions lolling on the beach, go quad biking on bush tracks, or run down giant sand dunes. For the budding ecologist, there’s a chance to meet echidna specialist Dr Peggy Rismiller of the Pelican Lagoon Research Centre while on Kangaroo Island.
Go safari
Spot wild koalas, emus and native birds on a private guided tour of the Eyre Peninsula with Goin’ Off Safaris. Guides tailor each day trip around guests’ interests – you may wish to go on a seafood safari where you can snorkel for abalone, gulp down a fresh oyster, or fish off the beach at secret local spots.
Adelaide and surrounds marinas
- Port Adelaide
- Marina Adelaide.
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