By Jess from Dressed in Copper
It’s one of my favourite regions in South Australia. I may be a tad biased because its where I call home, but to be honest, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
The Fleurieu boasts stunning coastlines, incredible food producers, plenty of activities for families and wine-wine-wine! Below is 20 of my favourite things to do on the Fleurieu (it was hard narrowing it down to 20). Get your note pad out and get ready to take a day trip!
1. Drink Wine
DUH! The Fleurieu Peninsula is well known for the Mclaren Vale wine region. There are plenty of options that suit all kinds of wine lovers. Some of my favourite wineries include Hither & Yon and Battle of Bodsworth in Willunga, Doc Adams Wines, Ekhidna, S.C Pannell, Fox Creek and Alpha Box & Dice in McLaren Vale and Woodstock Wines and Gemtree in McLaren Flat.
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2. Devour a degustation
If you are after a long lunch then the Fleurieu is filled with them. Several restaurants offer delicious degustation’s, with menus filled to the brim using fresh, local produce. Some of my favourite degustation’s are at The Currant Shed, Au Pear, Ellen Street Restaurant at Maxwell Wines, Leonards Mill and d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant.
3. Check out the cube
A gigantic rubiks cube in the middle of a vineyard. That’s the work of d’Arenberg. The cube is a wacky and fabulous wine experience, encompassing a tasting room, cinema room, fine dining restaurant and much more. Be sure to book in advance if you wish to dine here, and give yourself plenty of time to explore all it has to offer.
4. Eat your body weight in Pizza
The south is a pizza lover’s heaven. Head to Russell’s Pizza in Willunga for all you can eat rustic woodfire pizzas and cheap corkage. Pizzateca offers authentic Italian fare with spot on wines. Woodstock Winery has pizza nights perfect for after work dinner and drinks and The Shack makes a ripper takeaway pizza.
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5. Dip your toes in the water
Apart from wineries, the Fleurieu Peninsula is known for its breathtaking coastline. You really can’t go wrong with any of the beaches – they all offer something different but are just as stunning as the next. Some of my go to’s are Port Willunga, Port Noarlunga, Yankalilla, Second Valley and Normanville.
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6. Visit the iconic old jetty at Pt Willunga
This jetty is the ultimate photo spot. If you’re looking to make a day of your visit to the jetty then book in for lunch at the Star of Greece – the food is just as good as the views. The restaurant overlooks the water and is nestled on the top of a cliff so you get uninterrupted views of the coast. Talk about perfection.
7. Get caffeinated
Coffee addicts will love what the Fleurieu has to offer. Ones to look out for include roasters Dawn Patrol Coffee, De Groot Coffee, Dal Mare, Coffee Factory and Goodness Coffee Co. From Humble Grounds is a mobile coffee cart that makes brilliant brews – find them at the Willunga Farmers Market. Villere Coffee is a roaster based in McLaren Vale and their beans are used in several cafes throughout the Fleurieu. A stand out cafes is 21 Junk Street in Yankalilla and Pipi in Middleton – fab service and great brews.
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8. Getting cheesy
Sweet dreams are made of brie – true story. Cheese lovers, pop Alexandrina Cheese company on your list – their cheesery sells cheese by the wheel and epic platters. Kangarilla Creamery, Hindmarsh Valley Dairy and B.D Farm Paris Creek also sell delicious hard and soft cheeses, available at markets and other retailers. If you want to make your cheese eating an all day affair then head to Blessed Cheese and check out their food and wine trail.
9. Ride the Shiraz Trail
The Shiraz Trail utilises a disused rail corridor, and connects walkers and riders between Willunga and Mclaren Vale. With views of Mclaren Vale, vineyards and bushland, it’s a short trail not to be missed. Grab the walking shoes, a drink bottle or a bicycle and get going!
10. Hop on a wine tour
The best way to explore the McLaren vale wine region? When someone else is driving you of course. There are several wine tour companies that can take you around the region, but my two favourites are Chooks Little Winery Tours and Trailhopper. Chooks offer you an all-day package in a comfortable bus with stop offs for lunch as well as wine, whereas Trailhopper offers a hop-on, hop-off tour, where you can pick which wineries you want to visit and dine at.
11. Knock back some brews
Beers lovers rejoice, the Fleurieu has you covered. Have a few frothies at Goodiesons, Smiling Samoyed in Myponga, Shifty Lizard Brewing at Willunga, Vale Ale paddles at Red Poles, Steam Exchange Brewery, Meechi Brewing and pints of Swell beer at the Victory Hotel.
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12. Visit the Port Elliot bakery
This iconic bakery is a must visit when you’re in the area. Devour a steak and mushroom pie. Or a pasty. Or a sausage roll. Maybe even a chocolate donut with sprinkles, or just all of the above. Take your baked goods down to Horseshoe Bay or take in a spot of whale watching while you’re at it.
13. Stock up on fresh produce at the Willunga farmers market
Easily one of my favourite produce markets in SA. You can buy flowers, drink coffee from From Humble Grounds and Piccolo Espresso, eat brisket toasties and tubs of pate from Little Acre Foods, stock up on plenty of fresh fruit and veg from local farmers and even tuck into a Pork Belly pie from Bull creek bakery. I could go on about this place all day.
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14. Pick strawberries at Harvest the Fleurieu
If picking fresh, juicy strawberries is your jam (no pun intended), then you need to check out Harvest. You can pick strawberries straight from their strawberry patch, or buy boxed ones, along with other delicious berries and condiments in their shop. You also need to try their strawberry icecream – its divine!
15. Get in the spirit
Love a tipple? Get your hands on the Fleurieu Distillery single malt whiskey in Goolwa, check out Encounter Coast Spirits in Lower Inman Valley and drink gin at Mclaren Vale Distillery Settlers Spirits. Kangaroo Island Spirits also make an award winning set of gins if you fancy a trip across the ocean. The Salopian Inn also offers a cracking gin list – with over 200 gins they will have your afternoon sorted (designated driver recommended).
16. Have a sleep over
A little boozy from a wine tour and can’t drive, or just want to immerse yourself in the region? Then bring a overnight back and stay the night. My top picks of places to stay include Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat in Willunga (award winners 2 years in a row and set in the most glorious of gardens), Southern Ocean Retreats at Deep Creek, Papershell Farm’s ‘Lodge’ in Willunga (located on a 9 acre almond orchard with plenty of veggie patches, fruit trees and one hell of a view) and Container 65 in Kangarilla (a shipping container with scandi and minimalist touches, right next door to one of SA’s best coffee roasters).
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17. Eat yourself silly
The Fleurieu is known for its abundance of delicious cafes and restaurants. Some of our favourites include:
Maxwells Grocery – fresh produce, locally made goods, salads and takeaway meals, burgers using Wakefield Grange
Our place – Head there on Sundays for their ‘feed me’ option. No set menu, you will likely have to roll home you’ll be so full.
Salopian Inn – pork buns, seasonal menu, huge wine and gin list. A firm favourite of ours.
The Victory Hotel – iconic views, great pub fare, local wines and great range of beers on tap.
Mullygrub – the food truck with without the wheels. Fresh and delicious brekky and lunch, local beer/wine and Fleurieu coffee.
Harrys Deli at Wirra Wirra– great wines, platters, epic pies and top notch brews. Ginscato (gin and moscato) cocktalil goes down a treat.
Ol Factory Inn – Offering delicious food and fine dining in Strathalbyn.
Pipi – A relaxing cafe by the sea, serving tasty brunch options utilizing local produce and coffee.
18. Do a spot of whale watching
Bring the binoculars and a warm jumper and head to likes of Victor Harbor and Goolwa for a spot of whale watching. The Southern Right Wales can come close to the shore and love to put on a show for onlookers. For whale updates check out the South Australian Whale Centre website or location in Victor Harbor. While you’re down that way check out the cockle train if you have little ones in tow- i’ve been told its awesome fun!
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19. Put your explorers hat on
Deep Creek Conservation Park is filled with beautiful spots to camp, 4WD and bushwalk. There are plenty of spots for picnics and a gorgeous rugged coastline to take in. One of my favourite beaches, Blowhole Beach, is in this conservation park and is one not to be missed.
20. Take a road trip
See the Fleurieu in your own time with a self drive tour. ‘The Fleurieu Way’ is a driving tour ticking off some of the Fleurieu’s favourite spots- maps are available online or from information centres. The Southern Ocean Drive also travels through the best of the South, like Goolwa, Victor Harbor, Cape Jervis and Deep Creek.
Jess xx
