One year after COVID hit we finally got to go on a South Australia/Adelaide trip that we had originally planned in March 2020. Honestly, it was such a fun and exciting trip and below I have written a little recap as well as some recommendations for a 10 day trip to Adelaide and its amazing surroundings.
Adelaide - 3 nights
Adelaide is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities Australia has to offer. To say we loved our time here would be an understatement. Full of beautiful heritage buildings and amazing cafes and bars, we spent most days walking around and just enjoying what was on offer.
A not to be missed activity is Adelaide Central Market. We spent hours wondering around, buying fresh produce and eating food. Keep an eye out for Something Wild a store where they sell a large variety of native foods including interesting game meat. A great place to start your journey cooking Australian bush foods.
Outside the city we enjoyed the suburb of Prospect as well as the large historic estate Carrick Hill. Rundle St was a favourite for shopping, bars and restaurants. Half an hour by public transport is the coast. The water is beautiful and it’s a perfect place to catch the sunsetting over the water. Glenelg is a bustling seaside town and during summer The Moseley Beach club is the best place to grab a drink, swim and pretend you are in the Mediterranean.
Below were some of our favourite place we ate at all over Adelaide:
- Daughter in Law - Modern Indian restaurant
- Anchovy Bandit - Pizza and pasta bar
- Bottega Bandito - Deli and cafe
- Hey Jupiter - French brasserie
- Seans Kitchen - Modern Australian
- Sunny Shop - Modern Thai
Fleurieu Peninsula - 3 nights
After the city we headed to see some of the breathtaking coast that South Australia has to offer. Just an hour out of Adelaide you will find the Fleurieu Peninsula and the wine region Mclaren Vale, the perfect place to start your morning with a swim, eat your lunch over looking a vineyard with a glass of vino and ending the day with a picnic on the beach watching the sun go down.
The coast line around here is out of this world. From winding hills, to red rocks and beautiful crystal clear water. Here were our favourite spots:
- Hallett Cove - For walking
- Port Willunga - Perfect spot to watch the sun go down
- Sellicks Beach - For the unique rock formations
- Second Valley - For a more secret swimming spot
Make sure you stop by the very famous Down the Rabbit Hole winery for a beautiful lunch and wine tasting.
Kangaroo Island - 2 nights
After relaxing and swimming we headed to Cape Jervis to catch the ferry to Kangaroo island. Kangaroo island is the 3rd largest island of Australia, it is so big that we would recommend not doing it as a day trip. There is so much to explore… from national parks and native animals to following foodie trails.
Our personal Favourites were:
- Seal Bay
- American River - Check out the oyster farm shop
- Kangaroo Island Spirits
- Emu Bay - A stunning beach
- Emu Bay lavender farm
- Penneshaw hotel
- Bay of Shoals wines
Adelaide Hills or Barossa - 1 night
To end your trip why not drink more wine? Adelaide Hills is an excellent wine region just 40 minutes out of Adelaide. Be sure to stop by the German heritage town Hanhdorf to feel like you are right in the middle of Germany and check out Applewood, a gin distillery with a bush food twist.
We stayed in the stunning airbnb ode to the orchard a boutique country stay that looks over a valley of apple orchards and complete with an amazing outdoor bath. I can not recommend this place enough, perfect for a moment to disconnect and enjoy some simple country life.
The Barossa is obviously well known and well worth a stop. Most of the wineries around here have been around for at least 100 years and stand as a history lesson in a glass of wine.
We recommend stopping by the queen of the Barossa Maggie Beer’s “Farm shop” as well as Chateau Tanunda an iconic winery with a magnificent building.