Fleurieu Adventure

This morning you are met by your guide and host to begin the journey. Your first adventure is an exclusive visit to the Onkaparinga River National Park where A&K has special access by 4WD into the heart of the spectacular 600-million-year-old Onkaparinga Gorge. Learn from your guide about its rich indigenous history, see native animals and immerse yourself in the remarkable landscape. And on a drive around the perimeter of the gorge you’ll observe how the ancient terrain has influenced the McLaren Vale vineyards today. Walk along a ridge to the Punchbowl Lookout, which has 360-degree views of river, gorge, vineyard and coast, then follow a path back into the national park to search for the eastern grey kangaroos, koalas and echidnas that call this area home.

Later this morning, head into McLaren Vale where two of the country’s most famous wine estates await. Hickinbotham Estate, not normally open to the public, welcomes you for an extraordinary insight to Australia’s viticultural heritage. Should the estate’s acclaimed winemaker Peter Fraser be on site, he will accompany you throughout the visit. Get your bearings on a 4WD expedition from the high ridge tops on the estate down to the Onkaparinga River below. Then step inside Hickinbotham’s privately owned château, the “White House”, where you will gain greater understanding of the vineyard and its history in Australian wine production supplying fruit for many of the country’s greatest wines, including Penfolds Grange. With very limited quantities, Hickinbotham wines are regarded as some of the best single estate wines in Australia and you’ll soon understand why at a private tasting over lunch in the château.

After lunch you’ll head across to Yangarra Estate to visit the High Sands Grenache vineyard, winner of Halliday’s Wine of the Year in 2020. The Yangarra philosophy centres on producing wines solely from their single-vineyard estate, where bush-vine Grenache is the keystone variety. With no less than three 99-point scores in Halliday’s recent Wine Companion, Yangarra is at the top of its game. The High Sands Vineyard is legendary in Australian wine circles and you’ll get an exclusive opportunity to taste the wine itself in the heart of the vineyard from which it comes.

Later this afternoon, drive to your boutique accommodation at Coastal Lodge admiring spectacular views of Gulf St Vincent en route. Settle in and take a stroll around the property at sunset to spot kangaroo’s grazing against the backdrop of the breathtaking Fleurieu coastline. The lodge overlooks rolling hills and rugged beaches.

This evening you’re driven down the wild Silver Sands beach for dinner at the Victory Hotel, owned by local character, and wine aficionado, Doug Govan. Boasting stunning views over Sellicks Beach, Aldinga Bay and the Fleurieu, the Victory has one of the best wine cellars in the state, and a menu of superb local meats and fresh fish. You’ll be invited to explore Doug’s wine collection, which includes Australia’s largest collection of Wendouree Wines from the Clare Valley, plus a visit into the “ante-chamber” to see Doug’s private collection of rare magnums, before sitting down for an exclusive three-course dinner paired with some very special wines hand-picked by Doug.
Coastal Lodge | LD

The morning begins with a stunning drive through rolling hills to the mouth of the Murray River where a stroll through the sand dunes reveals the famous Coorong estuary system and the Southern Ocean beyond. Drive along the wild Coorong beach, so remote and isolated you’ll feel miles from civilisation. Take a refreshing morning stroll and practice the art of cockling, shuffling your feet in the shallows in search of famous Goolwa pipis.

Fully invigorated, head next to Port Elliot and Horseshoe Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula, where wealthy English settlers used to retire in summer. Lunch is at one of the region’s most iconic seaside diners, the Flying Fish Café on the boardwalk at Port Elliot. After lunch wander along Port Elliot’s famous granite cliffs with their majestic Southern Ocean views, then take a dip at Horseshoe Bay.

A short drive later finds you in the holiday town of Victor Harbour. Climb to the “Bluff” lookout for breathtaking 360-degree views across Granite Island and the Southern Ocean and then a stop at Softfoot Alpaca Farm, a hidden gem in the Hindmarsh Valley. Established in the late 1990’s, Softfoot is a privately owned family farm originally dedicated to the breeding of world class alpacas. It is also a sanctuary and genetic ark for endangered Australian marsupials with a large forestry project aimed at reducing the property’s carbon footprint. Softfoot alpacas are regarded as some of the finest pure breds in the country and regularly sell for more than $50,000 per head. Hop aboard an ATV for an exhilarating privately guided tour of the property including an overview of the alpaca breeding programme, the marsupial sanctuary and the koala park. As a special treat, you will be invited into the owner’s Trophy Room, to see the collection of awards in their private residence.

Return to the lodge for a special wild coast BBQ dinner in a spectacular remote spot on the property hosted by Simon Burley and his Sardinian wife, Laura.

Coastal Lodge | BLD

Kick the day off with a walk along Carrickalinga Beach. Pop into Little Sister Café in Normanville for coffee and their legendary brownies, then head to stunning Second Valley beach for a walk along the cliffs, out to the old boatyards and rail ramp. Then you will be driven to one of South Australia’s most beautiful and untouched nature reserves, Deep Creek Conservation Park. Take a 3-kilometre guided walk along the Goondoloo Ridge Trail to see a plethora of native animals, stunning flora and spectacular coastal views across to Kangaroo Island. Next, a 4WD experience like no other traversing a dry and dusty trail down to one of the most wild and isolated beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Blowhole Creek Beach. Here you’ll walk a stretch of the famous Wild South Coast Way, a trail that starts on the Fleurieu and finishes 1200 kilometres away in the Northern Flinders Ranges, enjoying spectacular views of the coastline and the Southern Ocean. Afterwards, you’re rewarded with a picnic hamper of local produce from the back of the Land Rover accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, with beautiful Blowhole Creek Beach in the background.

This afternoon drive to Fishery Beach and the ruins of the old Talisker silver mine. Finish the day at a local brewery or pub for a cleansing ale before dining back at the lodge on pasta ragu, cooked by Laura, and a bottle of museum Shiraz from Simon’s cellar.
Coastal Lodge | BLD

Today you will enjoy exploring McLaren Vale’s famous Coast & Vines trail by 4WD, starting with a visit to the local providore at Wirra Wirra wines for coffee and pastries. Then it’s a beautiful drive along the coast to Moana and Port Noarlunga Beaches, to see where the Onkaparinga River joins Gulf St Vincent. Lunch is at Dowie Doole Wines back in McLaren Vale before visiting a stunning art gallery, which showcases works by local indigenous artists.

Continue to Willunga, the most historic township in the region, with time to explore. Visit an artisan cooperative where over 17 different craftsmen exhibit ceramics, glass sculpture, iron work, paintings and much more. Enjoy a special demonstration of glass blowing in action, arranged just for you.

Then it’s a beautiful drive through the McLaren Vale foothills past rolling vineyards and through the Mount Lofty Ranges, finishing with one of the Vale’s most boutique producers in Samson Tall, for a tour of their winery and tasting of their beautiful single vineyard wines. Your journey ends with a transfer back to Adelaide.
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