Cosy winter escapes in SA
Mist-engulfed vineyards, crackling fires in charming pubs and the smell of fresh rain sweeping across stunning natural landmarks. There’s something enchanting about South Australia in winter.
When temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it’s easy to surrender to the lure of hibernation. But travellers prepared to brave the cold and explore our state are richly rewarded with a serene side to South Australia that offers experiences to delight the senses.
We’ve discovered three regions perfect for a cosy winter escape. So, pack your coat and brolly and explore our wondrous state.
Adelaide Hills
Fairytale towns, cosy cellar doors and magical botanic gardens – the Adelaide Hills is a winter wonderland waiting to be explored. From Uraidla to Woodside and Hahndorf, you’ll find plenty of ways to warm up and fill your belly.
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Perched above the renowned Adelaide Hills wine region, you’ll find luxurious Mount Lofty House. With sweeping views of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and Piccadilly Valley, it’s hard to believe you’re only a 15-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD. Unwind with a massage at the five-star hotel’s day spa, curl up with a book in the library, choose a bottle of wine from the 170-year-old cellar or indulge in a meal at the hotel’s three Chef Hat, Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.
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With a French-inspired menu and a roaring fire in the dining room, it’s hard to beat Crafers Hotel for a cosy pub lunch. Be sure to visit the hotel’s award-winning wine room, which houses a 10,500-bottle collection of classic and rare labels.
Venture a little further to Uraidla where you’ll find Lost in a Forest, serving woodfired pizzas and local wines in a converted 1892-built church. If you’ve left room for dessert, pop across the road to the Uraidla Bakery and enjoy a freshly baked pastry.
The Adelaide Hills are a mecca for wine and cheese lovers. Savour a glass of Chardonnay with a grazing platter at Petaluma’s cellar door in Woodside. Ever wonder what goat’s cheese covered in native green ants tastes like? Find out thanks to the Australian native cheese tasting at Woodside Cheese Wrights.
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Rug up and wander through sprawling Mount Lofty Botanic Garden where camellias are in full bloom in June and July. Take the Lakeside Trail, a gentle 1km loop that passes eight plant-related sculptures.
For a good dose of old-world charm, head to Hahndorf – Australia’s oldest surviving German village. Stroll along the tree-lined main street and discover art galleries, artisanal shops and German bakeries and pubs.
Down the road, you’ll find acclaimed winery, The Lane, where you can blend your own wine or leave it to the experts and relax with a glass of red by the fire.
For a sweet treat, Melba’s Chocolates & Confectionary in Woodside serves up a decadent hot chocolate.
Clare Valley
Head 90 minutes north of Adelaide to the Clare Valley, which effortlessly blends heritage charm with fine wining and dining. No matter where you look, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking scenery and a sense of serenity. Cue relaxation.
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Situated in the Clare Valley, Mintaro is a small, charming town steeped in history. For a quintessential cosy escape, complete with chesterfields by the fire, you can’t go past secluded Mintaro Cottage. Surrounded by slate, timber and warm earthy tones, you’ll feel right at home in one of the cottage’s two studios. Spend your days bush walking, wine tasting and savouring the region’s local produce before retreating to the cottage’s quiet comfort.
EAT & DRINK
For more than 175 years, the Clare Valley has been producing wine and now boasts more than 30 cellar doors. Weather permitting, you can hire a bike and ride the 32km Riesling Trail stopping at wineries as you please.
Situated on 100 hectares of rolling slopes along the Polish Hill River, Pikes Wines is a must-visit. Settle in for a 45-minute seated tasting or book a table at award-winning Slate Restaurant. Chef Tristan Steele delivers a modern Australian menu featuring seasonal produce from the restaurant’s kitchen garden.
Another epicurean delight is the Watervale Hotel, offering casual and fine dining with country hospitality. The hotel’s menu is driven by seasonal produce harvested from its own organic, bio-dynamic farm. If you’re looking for an interactive experience, you can book a tour of Penobscot Farm followed by a six-course degustation lunch with paired wines.
For a cosy, casual cellar door, head to Shut the Gate. Enjoy a glass of vino and a chat to owners and producers Rasa Fabian and Richard Woods. You can also assemble your own platter thanks to a great selection of local produce at the cellar door’s providore store.
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With its resplendent vistas, it’s easy to see why the Clare Valley has a thriving arts and cultural scene. Explore a striking collection of contemporary Indigenous art at Clare Valley Art Gallery, and visit Art @ Auburn to peruse paintings, sculptures and jewellery crafted by local artists.
If you like your art on a larger scale, make your way to Farrell Flat and be awe-struck by its towering silo art. Completed in 2020 by artists Jarrod Soden and Matthew Knights, the artwork depicts the last train to pass through the historic township. If you venture a little further afield, you’ll find imposing silo murals in nearby Eudunda, Owen and Snowtown.
For another glimpse into the region’s rich history, visit heritage-listed Martindale Hall. Take a step back in time as you tour the Georgian-style, sandstone mansion built in the 1880s for pastoralist Edmund Bowman Jr.
If you’re blessed with good weather, unleash your inner child at Mintaro Maze. The maze is made up of more than 800 conifers and has plenty of twists and turns to confuse even the best navigator. While you’re there, play a game of giant chess or sit back with a warming coffee.
Limestone Coast
With imposing underground caves, bold red wines and the country’s best steak restaurant, the Limestone Coast beckons travellers to venture south as the temperature drops. Mount Gambier is the perfect base to explore the area known for its natural beauty and famed Coonawarra wine region.
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Looking for a charming bed and breakfast with a fireplace and clawfoot bath? Mount Gambier’s stately Colhurst House ticks all the boxes. The two-storey, 1800s mansion offers five elegant bedrooms and spacious suites, surrounded by lush, manicured gardens.
EAT & DRINK
For a hearty winter’s lunch, head to Mayura Station – a 45-minute drive from Mount Gambier. You’ll enjoy the ultimate paddock-to-plate experience at The Tasting Room. It’s no surprise that this eatery was voted Australia’s top steak restaurant, with prized cuts of wagyu beef cooked right in front of you.
Nestled in the heart of the Limestone Coast, the Coonawarra wine region produces world-class red wines thanks to its terra rossa soil. Stop by DiGiorgio Family Wines where warm Italian hospitality flows as freely as the wine. You can even join the family for an afternoon of pasta making and lunch.
Head to Bellwether Wines for its rustic charm (the cellar door was a shearing shed until 2009), Brand’s Laira for a ploughman’s platter or book lunch at Hollick Estate.
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The Limestone Coast isn’t short of natural wonders, and the beauty of Mt Gambier’s Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul needs to seen to be believed. Wander along the terraces into the sunken garden filled with ferns and curtains of ivy.
A visit to the 800,000-year-old Naracoorte Caves is high on the list of must-do activities – rain, hail or shine. The Naracoorte Caves National Park – made up of 28 caves – is South Australia’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. While some sections are closed to the public for fossil conservation and research, you can explore four underground caves dripping with glistening stalactites and stalagmites.
If you have children in tow, head to Echo Farm on the edge of Mount Gambier. Stroll around the charming farm at your own pace on a self-guided visit from Friday to Sunday, feed the animals and chat to the farmers who live on site.
An hour-and-a-half drive from Mount Gambier, you’ll find the picturesque seaside town of Robe. Wander along the main street filled with boutique shops, grab a coffee at Mahalia Coffee or a local brew at family-run Robe Town Brewery.