South Australia is a state that will delight all your senses – from aromatic fragrances, wine and gin tastings to Indigenous cultural immersion, river cruising, wildlife spotting and so much more – and that’s just a taste of what’s on offer.
The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) recently held its inaugural SA Experts four-night famil, inviting eight lucky travel advisors from around Australia to experience the world-famous Barossa and lush Riverland regions, just 50 minutes’ drive northeast of Adelaide, with commentary and transport provided by SeaLink.
Here’s what they got up to (warning: intense feelings of envy may occur!).
Day 1 – Off to the Barossa
The famil kicked off in Adelaide with an overnight stay at the luxe Eos by SkyCity where our SA experts enjoyed an evening at leisure before heading off to the Barossa the next day.
The first stop was at the drool-worthy Browns Barossa Donuts before visiting Vasse Virgin for a perfumery workshop.
Next up, lunch at Maggie Beers’ The Farm Eatery & Experience Centre and wine tastings at Yalumba and Henschke. After a day of indulgence, accommodation for the night was at the Novotel Barossa with a delicious Vietnamese-inspired dinner at fermentAsian while enjoying a few (more) bottles of South Australian wine.
Day 2 – A day out in Riverland
The famil group then ventured to the Riverland region, starting with a Wetland Tour at Banrock Station vineyards and wetlands before enjoying lunch overlooking the property on the meandering Murray River.
Next was a cruise along the river on Murray River Trails’ new houseboat and a short walk through the backwaters, spotting wildlife and learning about Indigenous history in the area with the award-winning eco-tourism provider. The SA Experts enjoyed dinner back on the houseboat where a private chef created an incredible meal paired with local wines.
After a full day of soft adventure and feasting, each SA Expert bedded down in their own deluxe two-bedroom cabin at Discovery Parks – Lake Bonney for a relaxing night’s sleep.
Day 3 – Gourmet experiences in Riverland
The final day of touring began with breakfast at the boutique Arrosto Coffee roastery and cafe, located within the Old Renmark Firestation, and a tour of the roasting operations.
The group then met with the owners of The Frames for a tour of their luxury property and a quick stop at their private home to grab some fresh fruit. The group enjoyed two private experiences with a trip to Calperum Station for the Cultural Tour and Flavour Safari, meeting some of the Riverland’s food providores and enjoying a gin tasting at Rustons, home to one of the largest private rose gardens in the Southern Hemisphere.
After a packed day of experiences, our SA Experts’ final stop was 23rd Street Distillery for a bespoke gin-blending class and a gourmet dinner of fresh, artisanal produce at the onsite Distillery Restaurant at 23rd Street before returning to their accommodation at Discovery Parks – Lake Bonney.
Day 4 – Back to Adelaide
They packed a lot in, but all good things have to come to an end eventually. Our SA Experts headed back to Adelaide Airport with Jeff on the SeaLink Coach – replete, satisfied and with eyes opened to the new experiences they had encountered in South Australia.
Want to know more about the Barossa and Riverland regions and South Australia holidays? Check out all the cool ideas and itineraries at southaustralia.com