In 2019, Australia was named Travel + Leisure's Destination of the Year for 2020, and as a member of the Travel Advisory Board, I was invited to experience the best that Australia has to offer. Hosted by Tourism Australia and the States of South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales, our journey began in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, and this is the first part of my Down Under adventure.

South Australia

South Australia is a haven for wine enthusiasts, gastronomes, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Kangaroo Island's pristine coastline and rugged beauty offer a stark contrast to the Flinders Ranges' untamed bush and Outback. Cruise on the Murray River for a laid-back day, or dare to go shark cage diving in the Eyre Peninsula for an adrenaline rush.

Adelaide

Adelaide is the gateway to Australia's finest wine country, historic landmarks, lush parklands, and some of the country's best beaches. Our journey commenced here, and we had a one-of-a-kind encounter with one of Australia's iconic figures.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH A KOALA

Cleland Wildlife Park is one of the few places in Australia where you can cuddle a koala. They are incredibly soft and cute, with minty breath from their love of eucalyptus leaves. Holding a koala is a highly supervised and monitored experience by park rangers, and advance reservations are required.

South Australian Museum

The South Australian Museum boasts world-class natural history and cultural collections, with over 3,000 Australian Aboriginal cultural artefacts on display, including the culturally significant Yuendumu Doors. You can arrange a private tour of the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery with one of the Museum's professors before it opens to the public.

Adelaide Hills

Drive down the Adelaide Hills' leafy lanes, stopping at quaint villages dappled in sunlight. Aldgate, Stirling, Oakbank, Birdwood, Crafers, Mount Barker, and Hahndorf are all within an hour's drive of Adelaide and brimming with wildlife encounters and cultural discoveries. The Adelaide Hills are home to some of South Australia's most exquisite food, wine, and scenery, all easily accessible.

Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard

Established in 1992, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard is an award-winning 5-star boutique vineyard, cellar door, and chef-hatted restaurant nestled high in the Adelaide Hills at Lenswood, just 35 minutes from Adelaide CBD, offering stunning views. The vineyard's steep terrain is home to 19,000 vines planted in rich white quartz and sandstone soil, producing cool-climate premium wines with minimal intervention, all hand-pruned and hand-picked. The range includes Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Rose, Methode Traditionelle Sparkling, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz, along with a premium wine series. The restaurant and cellar door are open seven days a week, offering visitors wine tastings and lunch. The vineyard's philosophy is rooted in the provenance of wine and food, with a strong emphasis on ethical local farming. Menus are defined by seasonal and locally grown produce, with modern Australian cuisine that showcases the region.

Shaw + Smith & Woodside Cheese Wrights

Book a private vineyard tour with a masterclass of paired wines and cheese at Shaw + Smith. Cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith founded the vineyard over a long lunch in 1989, specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, M3 Chardonnay, cool-climate Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. The Tasting Room at Balhannah opens to a breathtaking view of the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Woodside Cheese Wrights is a gem in the Adelaide Hills, producing top-quality, award-winning cheeses since 1994. Their sophisticated range of cow and goat milk cheeses is crafted by hand, with milk sourced directly from small local dairies to ensure excellent quality control. Some of their cheeses are seasonal and only made when the milk is perfect for each cheese style, making each bite a unique and special experience.

BAROSSA

Just a 50-minute drive northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is a world-renowned wine region that encompasses the towns of Tanunda, Angaston, and Nuriootpa. With over 80 cellar doors to choose from, you can taste some of the most awarded wines in the world while indulging in sumptuous local produce. Meet winemakers, chat with passionate staff, and mingle with proud locals, immersing yourself in the passion, pride, and South Australian spirit that defines the region.

Torbreck Vintners

Torbreck is one of Australia's top three vineyards and has been awarded 100 points 5x by Wine Enthusiast. Since 1994, Torbreck has been committed to creating exceptional Rhone-style red and white wines that reflect the best vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Let us book you a private tour and barrel room blending, where you can get an exclusive look at the winemaking process and craft your own unique blend to take home.

Hutton Vale Farm

For an authentic paddock-to-plate experience, visit Hutton Vale Farm, owned by the 7th generation of the Angas family since 1843. The mixed farm produces grapes, wool, and food, offering guests award-winning wine, lamb, woolen throws, and tailored experiences. Wine tasting at their cellar door is an exclusive one-on-one experience strictly by appointment only, where you can sample wines and learn about the farm's history and operations. The heritage stone and timber farm buildings serve as the perfect venue for a home-cooked meal, allowing you to relax at the table or on the sofa, with heat crackling from the wood-burning stoves.

Seppeltsfield Wines

Taste your Birth Year Experience is a time capsule!

Established in 1851, Seppeltsfield is the most historic winery and greatest showpiece in the Barossa Valley, offering an unrivaled tourism experience. Seppeltsfield is famous for the Centennial Cellar, the longest unbroken line of single-vintage Tawny's in the world, dating back to 1878. The estate has evolved into a tourism village with the winery and cellar door at the center, offering an array of wine-tasting experiences, fine dining, and artisanal shopping.

WHERE TO STAY

Sequoia Lodge

Sequoia Lodge, the newest addition to Mount Lofty House Estate hotel, is named after the three giant Californian Redwood trees planted around 1855 by its original owner, Arthur Hardy. This contemporary, adults-only lodge offers 14 luxurious suites, each with stunning treetop views over the picturesque Piccadilly Valley. From the private balconies, the lounge area with a cozy fireplace, the deep soaking bathtubs, to the king-size beds, every inch of the suite is designed to provide the highest level of comfort and privacy to guests. The lodge also boasts its own reception area, lounge, breakfast room, and exclusive guest experiences, including mineral hot springs and panoramic saunas.

The Louise

The Louise Barossa Valley offers a luxurious and welcoming retreat in the heart of the legendary Barossa wine country in South Australia. With private spaces, generous en-suites, and breathtaking vineyard views, you'll experience absolute comfort and inspired design. The Appellation restaurant, regarded as one of Australia's finest dining destinations, offers a truly unforgettable dining experience. With fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and an extensive collection of wines, every meal is a culinary journey. Whether you're savoring the food, enjoying the view, or immersing yourself in the local culture, The Louise Barossa Valley provides a holistic escape for all your senses.