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By Hayley Pearson

Ask most brides and all they want for their hen’s weekend is to be with their best friends, eating, drinking and laughing. Most of the best hens’ (and girls’ days out) don’t involve getting lap dances from half-naked men, while sipping cowboy cocksuckers off a stranger’s stomach at 3am. Eeeep! Instead, they’re a little more classy. Here are five ideas for girls-only weekends in Adelaide that ALL involve one key ingredient: fun.

Oh, by the way, we’re giving away one of these amazing experiences next week! Two nights at my* beach house — the fabulous Bluff Retreat at Encounter Bay.

* It’s not actually mine, we just stay there all the time and my son thinks we own it.

Hayley xx

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5. STICKY RICE COOKING SCHOOL 

Okay, this screams FUN! Combining two of my favourite things — cooking and eating. Asian-inspired hands-on cooking classes in the divine Adelaide Hills; you can’t get better than that. Oh wait, you can. They also offer accommodation in the form of luxury villas!

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; Image credit: Sticky Rice Cooking School

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; Image credit: Sticky Rice Cooking School

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; Image credit: Sticky Rice Cooking School

There are three villas to choose from, offering bed and breakfast, and various gourmet retreat packages. From a one-night to long-term stays, you can relax and explore the fifty cellar doors in this Adelaide Hills wine region. Cooking classes are $145 per person and include tuition, ingredients, lunch or dinner and wine.

4. HIGH TEA AT THE FLYING TRUNK

Putting the delight in afternoon delight, The Flying Trunk is the perfect place for a hen’s afternoon. There’s something extra special about eating tiny food off pretty plates, with a group of your best girlfriends. High tea at The Flying Trunk is an afternoon of decadence and delight!

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; the flying trunk

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; the flying trunk

You kick off your afternoon with a glass of Prosecco on arrival, enjoy unlimited La Maison du Thé (French boutique tea) and Vittoria Espresso Coffee. You’ll be eating from a menu that includes delectable sandwiches, sweet and savoury tarts and pastries, scones with jam and cream and petit fours. Complete the afternoon with a delicious Espresso Martini — called an “Elephant Express”.

High tea is served on the third Sunday of each month, from 2:30pm. Private high tea functions can be enjoyed anytime.

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

3. TEMPTATION SAILING — AFTERNOON TEA CRUISE

I’m on a boat. Drinking Espresso Martinis. Eating cakes and fresh fruit. WHAT?? This sounds like a dream, right?! Well it’s not, it’s real and it’s happening twenty minutes out of the CBD. Get the girls together and join Temptation Sailing for an Afternoon Tea Cruise on the first Sunday of the month, between November and March.

At $50.00 per person, you could be enjoying a two-hour coastal sailing cruise, two-hour drinks package (including Espresso Martinis), plus a selection of amazing cakes, paninis and fresh fruit.

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends Image credit: Temptation Sailing

2.  ROADTRIP TO THE BAROSSA OR CLARE

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

You can do this as a day-trip or stay over night – depending on your budget. If you go to Clare, stay in an apartment at the beautiful Clare Country Club. For lunch, there are more than forty wineries to choose from and most of them have a cellar door. Or, if you just want to chill-out in the one place, try Skillogalee. It’s a fantastic boutique winery, run by a father and son team with handcrafted world-class wines.

The restaurant and cellar door are surrounded by gorgeous gardens. You can perch your bum on the verandah or by the log fires, it’s up to you. You can also stay the night in their on-site accommodation.

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends Image credit: Skillogalee

If you go to the Barossa, take our Roadtrip Itnerary — you won’t regret it! Cheese, wine, amazing sightseeing and an Endota Spa experience at the Novotel. It’s a sure way to put a big smile on the face of any girl.

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends; hayley pearson

adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

1. THE BLUFF RETREAT AT ENCOUNTER BAY

the bluff retreat; adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

Head to Victor in Summer or Winter. It doesn’t matter, it’s all just different kinds of beautiful. From Goolwa to Encounter Bay, there are loads of holiday rentals that cater for a wide range of budgets. My family and I have been staying at The Bluff Retreat for the last few years because it’s gorgeous, fully self contained, there’s loads of room and plenty of beds for little people. With a to-die for view of Encounter Bay and the Bluff, it’s the perfect spot to drink wine and eat cheese. Living. The. Dream.

the bluff retreat; adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

the bluff retreat; adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

the bluff retreat; adelaide; adelady; girls' weekends

We know there are endless ideas for classy girls’ weekends in Adelaide and we could only cover a handful. Let us know what your faves are!

Hayley xx

*The Flying Trunk photos provided by The Flying Trunk and The Bluff Retreat photos provided by The Bluff Retreat.

Hayley Pearson

Hayley Pearson

Co-Creator and Writer for Adelady, she still gets goosebumps that she’s combined her creative passion with sharing the best of her stunning home state.

2 Comments

  • Lauren says:

    What a great list! We recently hosted an awesome hens day for a bride to be – and I’d love to share our day. Lunch at the new Penfolds Winery kitchen, chill out and relaxing time at Millers St Appartments for nibbles, drinks & recharge! Drinks & more nibbles at La Buvette Drinkery followed by dancing and cocktails at Bank St Social. Was so fab! Xx

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