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Tag: South Australia travel

  • Relax in the Riverland Region – Regional South Australia at its Best

    In the rush-rush modern world, there’s something special about retreating to a place of natural beauty and old fashioned values.


    The Riverland region in South Australia is such a place. The region located 250 kays north-east of the state's capital city, Adelaide, is so named for the Murray River that runs through it. The river is Australia's longest, stretching from New South Wales to the South Australian coast where the state meets the Southern Ocean. There may be some 2530 kilometers of the Murray to explore, but the Riverland locals insist that their region is the best place to play in the waterway. Its calm waters are ideal for water-skiing and wakeboarding, or paddling a kayak. The river is teeming with callop, catfish, redfin, European carp, and the famous Murray cod, so make sure you drop a line while you're in town. If you want to explore you could hop aboard one of the historic paddle boats or opt for a more affordable dinghy tour. The coast is dotted with accommodation options, from five-star luxury retreats to inexpensive holiday parks for camping and caravanning. However if you just can't bear to get out of the water, you could also hire a houseboat. The Riverland boasts more houseboats than anywhere else in Australia, so why not try this floating style of accommodation while you're there? They're easy to operate, totally private, and you can stay in a different part of the region each night. [caption id="attachment_4544" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A speedboat on the Murray River"]A speedboat on the Murray River[/caption] Most hire companies offer their boats for a minimum of three days, which is just enough time to chill out. If you want one of those floating hotel rooms look to Riverfun Houseboats in Renmark or Quality Houseboats in Morgan. While the Murray has always been the Riverland region's most popular attraction, the area is fast earning a reputation as a gourmet destination. While it's not as famous as the Barossa Valley wine region, the Riverland actually produces more than half of South Australia's wine. Look for Italian varietals like petit verdot, petit manseng, vermentino, and tempranillo at Banrock Station, 919 Wines, and Burk Salter Wines. If you prefer a cleansing ale, stop by Wilkadene Brewery to sample its award winning beers in the converted shearing shed. The region's wines are perfectly paired with its fresh produce. The Riverland is famous for its citrus fruits, olives, almonds, and chocolate. Try them and other local goodies at the Riverland Farmer's Markets at the Berri Senior Citizen's Hall every Saturday morning. For something more substantial you can't beat some local pub grub. Overland Corner Hotel and Renmark Hotel offer some of the Riverland region's best.

    [Image Source: Allshots Imaging/Flickr]

  • Affordable South Australian Wine Tours – See Best Wineries with Alfie

    There are many tours designed to introduce tourists to South Australia’s wine regions, but few have the relaxed, personalized service of Alfie’s Wine Tours.


    Alfie leads tours to the state's premiere wine regions: the Clare and Barossa Valleys, Adelaide Hills, and the McLaren Vale. The latter tour sets off every Thursday, whether there's only one keen wine taster or a bus full. My husband and I were lucky enough to enjoy one of those private tours on a recent Adelaide vacation. There was no missing Alfie's bright yellow bus parked outside our hotel bright and early. The 45-minute drive to the McLaren Vale passed quickly as Alfie told us all about himself and encouraged us to do the same. Alfie is a debt collector by trade, but runs the wine tours as a hobby. Clearly he loves his work, meeting people from all over the country and the world and sharing his passion for a good drop. [caption id="attachment_3860" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A Barossa Valley vineyard"][/caption] His tour takes in some of the smaller wineries in the McLaren Vale, which gives wine enthusiasts the chance to taste vintages not available in their local liquor store. Penny's Hill Wines was our first stop, a friendly winery with an extensive range of whites, reds, and dessert wines. After a little early morning tasting some tucker was in order, and Alfie obliged with an antipasto platter. After some cheese and European sausages we were ready to take on Woodstock, a small family owned winery with beautiful leafy grounds and knowledgeable, bubbly staff. We couldn’t resist taking home a bottle of their very pricey, but delicious Stocks Shiraz, along with a few other drops. Australian Boutique Premium Wines was the next stop along the tour. The name sounds fancy, but this is a back-to-basics operation set inside a rustic metal shed. Owner Bob Harrison looks to support the little guy by gathering the best boutique wines from around the country to add to his range.  The simple surrounds mattered not as we treated ourselves to bubbles, stunning whites and red, and some interesting varietals. So much wine quickly took its toll, so it was great to see lunch was next on the agenda. While we busied ourselves with more tasting at Parri Estate, Alfie cooked up a two-course lunch in the winery's parklands. With bellies full it was off to Oxenberry Farm and dessert. There was the liquid kind available, including the beautiful Right Nut Liqueur Muscat, and a fruit platter and chocolate fondue served by Alfie. Needless to say, after all that indulgence we couldn't help but doze on the way back to our hotel! There are many luxury wine tours offering private experiences and limousine travel, but if you simply want to see South Australia's wineries a trip with Alfie is much more economical, and every bit as fun. Tours start from $70 per person, including lunch.

  • Swim with Sea Lions in South Australia

    We’ve all heard of swimming with dolphins, and even swimming with whales.


    But one South Australian company allows you to swim with a furrier marine creature on their swim with sea lions tours. Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience is located in Baird Bay, a tiny coastal town on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. Just 8 people lived here at last count, including Eco Experience owners Alan and Patricia Payne. They regard the wild sea lions like their children, and just like any proud parents love to arrange play dates with interested guests. The Australian sea lion is a species indigenous to the land Down Under, although it shares many similarities with other sea lions around the world. Unlike other sea lion species though they have no set breeding season, so keep your eyes peeled for pups while you're swimming with these beautiful animals! Sea lions are naturally curious and love to play in the shallow tide pool which protects them, and their human guests, from sharks. Pups may be shy at first, but before too long they'll happily nuzzle your hands and enjoy a good stroke! [caption id="attachment_4296" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A pair of Australian sea lions"]A pair of Australian sea lions[/caption] An hour can seem like a moment when you're spending time with these friendly sea creatures, and before too long it’ll be time to return to dry land, filled with the memories of the special experience you’ve shared. Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience swim tours run daily from September 1 until May 31 each year. It costs $140 for swimming adults, and $70 for children 15 years and under. Non swimming adults can watch from the boat for $100. The tour price includes the hire of wetsuits and snorkeling gear. While tickets can be purchased from the Marine Mammal Information Center before departure, it’s advisable to book your place during peak times to avoid disappointment.

  • Natural Beauty of Australia’s Coast at Kangaroo Island

    It’s just 13 kilometers from the coast of South Australia, but Kangaroo Island seems a world away from the Australian mainland.

    The isolation of this beautiful spot has seen flora and fauna flourish away from the threats of feral animals and diseases. Its rugged environment lures tourists keen to get back to nature. It was discovered way back in 1802 by French explorer Nicholas Baudin. He found the island deserted, although historians have since found evidence of indigenous habitation dating back to 2250 years prior. The island was named for the kangaroos which roamed freely here, and for the tasty meal of Skippy meat the explorer enjoyed on his arrival. Slowly it became home to an eclectic mix of whalers and sealers and escaped convicts. It was once home to Australia's most uncivilized residents, yet these days you'd hardly know it. [caption id="attachment_3902" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Remarkable Rocks in Kangaroo Island"]Rocks in Kangaroo Island[/caption] Kangaroo Island revels in its natural environment. Many major roads are unpaved, and national parklands and forests abound. There is no public transport, so visitors must join guided tours, bring their car over on the ferry, or hire a car when they arrive. The slower pace of Kangaroo Island does shock some visitors, although with careful planning it's easy to embrace this back-to-basics way of life. Banking facilities are only available in Kingscote and Penneshaw, so make sure you're cashed up before heading to the island's outskirts. These towns, along with American River and some areas of Emu Bay, are the only ones with mobile phone reception too. While modern folks may struggle to be disconnected, there's something lovely about removing yourself from civilization. By maintaining its natural beauty, Kangaroo Island has become a haven for fresh produce. Seafood is plentiful in the waters, jams are made from the indigenous fruits, and the local sheep and goats make some tasty cheeses. These fresh foods make eating at Kangaroo Island’s many restaurants a wonderful experience for gastronomes. Despite its small stature, there's plenty to do on Kangaroo Island. Flinders Chase National Park spans across 33, 000 hectares.
    It’s home to the striking Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, the historic Cape du Couedic lighthouse, and kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and the rare Cape Barren geese. You can see more animals at Seal Bay Conservation Park, a coastal attraction where seal lions happily laze in the sun while tourists walk amongst them. Fairy penguins make a nightly procession from the waters of Kingscote and Penneshaw to the burrows on the shore. Take a flashlight and look amongst the rocks at dusk to spot these tiny birds settling in for the night. Kangaroo Island is accessible by air and sea. You can fly between the South Australian capital of Adelaide and Kingscote by Regional Express for roughly $150 return. If you'd prefer to have your car with you, consider catching the Kangaroo Island Sealink ferry. Ferries leave three times a day from Cape Jervis on the mainland, and dock at Penneshaw. One-way fares cost $39 for passengers, and $79 for cars.

    [Image Source: Navin75/Flickr]