A leisurely stroll down Adelaide’s elegant tree-lined streets, through pretty parks and past stone churches, will unveil a different side to the quiet achiever of Australian cities. You only need to scratch the surface to find a celebration of the cultural, artisitic, gastronomic and the sporting. Shop your way for souvenirs – Haigh Chocolates, RM Williams boots and Coober Pedy opals - along the Rundle Street pedestrian mall, tantalise your tastebuds with a visit to the mouth watering stalls of the Adelaide Central Market, sample wines from more than 60 wine regions across Australia at the National Wine Centre or ride the 1920’s City to Bay tram to the buzzy beachside cafes of Glenelg.
Just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide, The Barossa Valley is arguably the best-known wine-producing region in Australia boasting superb Shiraz and first rate Rieslings under names such as Jacob's Creek, Penfold's, Wolf Blass, Henschke, Yalumba, Peter Lehmann and countless boutique labels. This gourmet lover’s playground is enriched by a strong European heritage reflected in its wines, food, architecture, festivals and people.
The lovingly restored friendly heritage towns of neighbouring Clare Valley offer an authentic slice of country Australia. So, pack yourself a picnic hamper brimming with locally grown produce: cheeses, chutneys and free range chickens; grab a bottle or two of the famous Clare Valley rieslings - then simply, sit back, relax and enjoy!
For lovers of wine, not to be missed are the McLaren Vale and Coonawarra wine regions. McLaren Vale has become one of Australia's premier wine-producing districts, particularly renowned for its full-bodied reds. The area is dotted by more than 60 cellar doors, most of which are shop fronts for small to medium-size boutique operations. The Coonawarra boasts over 20 cellar doors and wineries, all set among beautifully maintained landscapes.
Submerged beneath the Southern Ocean for 25 million years, the primal forces of the waves and the movement of tectonic plates crafted the captivating landscapes of the Limestone Coast. When the seas retreated at the end of the last Ice Age, a natural playground of stunning beaches, rugged cliffs and tranquil coastal lakes was revealed. The same natural forces forged the impressive volcanic craters and stunning blue lakes of Mt Gambier, the spectacular subterranean wonderland of the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves and the "terra rossa" soils of the Coonawarra which have given rise to some of Australia’s richest red wines. Add to this a boundless list of activities from fishing, surfing and sailing to walking, birdwatching and golf; and there is no doubt you will be captivated to stay a little longer by the historic charm and modern day buzz of the coast’s picturesque towns such as Robe, Kingston S E or Beachport where heritage streets house lively shopping strips, tasteful galleries, friendly pubs and groovy cafes oozing coastal chic.