South Australian Food and Wine Self-Drive Tour

Do you love excellent food and consider yourself a gourmet of wine? Then South Australia, home of the Australian wine industry and famous for its Australian and International cuisine is the right destination for you! The Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Clare Valley and Fleurieu Peninsula with McLaren Vale wine regions offer the complete food and wine experience - cellar door outlets, heritage bed and breakfast accommodation, and fine restaurants showcasing the region's best produce. Thanks to a warm, Mediterranean climate, the amount of produce grown in South Australia reads like a gourmet's shopping list. From grapes, olives, olive oil, strawberries, almonds and cheese to tuna, lobster, oysters, prawns, abalone and venison. Each region produces different specialties, depending on its terrain and climate. Come and taste it!

Daily itinerary

Day 1 and 2 - Adelaide

Arrive into Adelaide early in the morning of the first day and start exploring South Australia. Highlights include the fantastic National Wine Centre with its interactive exhibition, retail outlet and tastings gallery. The Adelaide Central Market (open Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat), is the largest food and produce market in Australia and is a must visit for any visitor to Adelaide. Other great sights include the cultural boulevard of North Terrace, the tram from Victoria Square to the vibrant seaside suburb of Glenelg and of course shopping in Rundle Mall. Don’t forget to dine in one of Adelaide’s many ‘eat streets’. Overnight: Adelaide

Day 3 - Adelaide to McLaren Vale (Fleurieu Peninsula) 39km (45 minutes)

The Fleurieu Peninsula with its spectacular beaches, rolling countryside and Mediterranean climate has plenty to offer the day tripper from Adelaide or for someone wanting to stay overnight. With over 50 cellar doors to explore, there is no shortage of opportunities to sample the superb wine of the McLaren Vale. Some of the best wineries include Wirra Wirra, Coriole and D’Arenbergs. A great way to visit these cellar doors is to follow the Cheese & Wine Trail, so don’t forget to pick up your cheese hamper from Blessed Cheese in McLaren Vale! Visit the Almond Train for almonds of every flavour, Medlow Gels for something sweet or the Willunga Farmers Market on Saturday mornings for a wide range of the freshest local produce straight from the grower. Overnight: McLaren Vale

Day 4 - McLaren Vale to Adelaide Hills 90km (1 hour 30 minutes)

Take the horse drawn tram out to Granite Island before exploring the antiques, crafts and gift shops of Middleton, Pt Elliott, Goolwa and one of South Australia’s prettiest towns, Strathalbyn. Travel onto the historic German Village of Hahndorf and spend time exploring this quaint village. Visit the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm and the Organic Market in Stirling for a range of regional produce. Sample some of the cool climate wines the Hills has to offer at Petaluma, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Nepenthe and Shaw & Smith. Warrawong and Cleland Wildlife Sanctuaries, Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and the National Motor Museum are some other attractions of the Hills that shouldn’t be missed. Overnight: Adelaide Hills

Day 5 - Adelaide Hills to Barossa 60km (1 hour)

Stop at the Whispering Wall on your way to the Barossa for a unique acoustic experience, then stand at Menglers Hill Lookout for an sweeping view over the valley. The Barossa is Australia’s most famous wine region and has over 50 wineries to explore. Some favourites include Peter Lehmann Wines, the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, Rockford Wines and St Hallet’s. Maggie Beers Farm Shop is a must visit for a light snack or to purchase her delicious gourmet products and stock up on more local produce and gifts at the superb Angas Park Fruits and South Australia Company Store. Be sure to lunch at Salters Restaurant and barr-Vinum and dine of an evening at 1918 and Vintners Bar & Grill. Overnight: Barossa

Day 6 - Barossa to Clare Valley 100km (1 hour)

Before departing the Barossa take an early morning hot air balloon ride over the region. The Clare Valley is one of South Australia’s most picturesque wine regions, sometimes likened to Tuscany. There are more than 35 cellar doors within a 15min drive from each other. Visit Sevenhills Winery, where early Jesuit settlers founded the Cellars in the midnineteenth century. Today the winery offers tastings and sales in the old monastery cellars.

For a unique wine and food experience, dine at Skillogalee or Neagles Rock, two of the delightful cellar doors in attractive vineyard settings. For something a little more casual stop in at one of the many country style hotels such as the Rising Sun Hotel. Walk or ride the Riesling Trail that links many of the valley’s cellar doors. Explore the historic copper mining town of Burra with the Heritage Trail Passport, the quaint heritage listed town of Mintaro is also well worth a visit.

Day 7 - Clare Valley to Adelaide 136km (1hr 40 minutes)

Clare Valley has been considered a gastronomic retreat for decades with the success of the Clare Gourmet Weekend. Try the locally reared saltbush lamb and visit Valley of Armagh and Penna Lane for tempting bounties of handmade pickles, chutneys and jams, all proudly made from locally sourced fruits, vegetables and Clare Valley wines. Finish exploring the Clare Valley before rolling your way back to Adelaide, completing your South Australian Degustation Adventure! Overnight in Adelaide before returning to your home country.

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