South Australia

[Iain]

SWMBO has been annoying me for some time now about going to SA, soooooo after finally caving in we have decided to take a stroll across in about 3-4 weeks.
Looking for places of interest, reasonable accommodation in Adelaide or just outside,which wineries to visit etc etc.
Probably leave on a Thursday and spend one night at Port Fairy or Portland then drive to Adelaide sometime Friday, need to be home the following Tuesday.
Will also have Miss 12 in tow.
Any suggestions.
I have not been to Adelaide (but used to travel to Mt Gambier on a monthly basis) since I was incarcerated at Edinburgh (left right left right....you orrible little man) in 1967, has anything changed since then???

[Christopha]

I have not been to Adelaide (but used to travel to Mt Gambier on a monthly basis) since I was incarcerated at Edinburgh (left right left right....you orrible little man) in 1967, has anything changed since then???

Big changes Iain, we got a traffic light in the main street and real running water at the horse trough!

[Harry72]

If your going to the Barossa, book in with a wine tour mob... save drink driving!
Go here plenty of info, http://www.postcards.sa.com.au/

[graemet]

Barossa is over rated (IMHO) McLaren Vale for reds, particularly the little wineries up the dirt tracks, Clare Valley for everything.
Must go again soon!
Cheers
Graeme

[Christopha]

Graeme.... you don't know spit mate, COONAWARRA is the very best..... Australias' other Red Centre. Them square heads in the Beerossa shoulda stuck to beer and them Clare clots and Mclaren Vale mugs are just beginners.....

[Iain]

Yes, we have some excellent reds in the nearby Koonwarra district
Methinks they may be trying to cash in on the name

[Carry Pine]

We had a good time at the Penfolds winery at Magill. i know they charged $8 at the time to go around and see where they used to hide the grange but at the end you were allowed to taste some real wines. When i said i wasn't fussed about St Henri claret, they said but here's one you will like and they opened a bottle of 1988 St henri!! That doesn't happen in other places.
Robe is also a good place to go.

[oges]

I was there last week, one of the places I stayed was the Adelaide International at Glenelg North, tram reasonably close if you dont feel like driving into town or Glenelg. Was about $75 a night I think
http://www.internationalmotel.com/welcome.html

Make sure you head into the hills and check whats there aswell, Hahndorf is a good area to look around, looks like the wineries are covered already.

[silkwood]

Iain, if wines are your main interest here perhaps you might want to start with a visit to the National Wine Centre on North Terrace. It has some great information and can give you some clues for finding your preferred styles.

You'll find excellent wines in all districts, as well as some shockers (like everywhere). I'd have to say my favourite area for generally tasting a number of styles would be McLaren Vale, though a trip to Clare is hard to beat for the wine and the ambience. If you have any particular preferences (as opposed to general interest) give me a pm & I'll try to point you in the right direction. You'll also find that Edinburgh Cellars and Melbourne St. have regular tastings, a great way to try new stuff. Good, inexpensive dining can be found around the Central Markets (I can highly recommend T-Chow for value and taste).

Coonawarra, didn't that used to be a wine region (as opposed to a quarter of the state)?

And how can you take wine advice from someone called Brett?

Cheers,

Mark

[Gumby]

Hey big fella

I don't know about SA but this is where we stayed a couple of nights at Port Fairy. Right on the river, stroll up to the old pub for dinner (absolutely beautiful) and stagger home again. That pub is the first in Victoria apparently.

http://www.shearwaterhouse.com.au/

[Iain]

Thanks for the replies to date, I am compiling and will refer for notes before we leave (no date yet, just having a swipe at my super, small slice, and waiting for it to turn up).
I intended stopping in at Coonawarra (district) and showing SWMBO Christopha
I have been through there while on business but never had time to stop.

[echnidna]

naa, i think thres a pub in Casterton

[Gumby]

naa, i think thres a pub in Casterton

The pub IS Casterton

[jow104]

Iain,
I can tell you that the hill down into Adelaide is a real S O D, possibly 1 in 4 with a sharp rh. bend. So make sure your brakes are cool for the decent and no wine on board. Also the road signs in A need a travellers point of view because I think they were designed for residents with local knowledge.

[Christopha]

Iain,
I can tell you that the hill down into Adelaide is a real S O D, possibly 1 in 4 with a sharp rh. bend. So make sure your brakes are cool for the decent and no wine on board. Also the road signs in A need a travellers point of view because I think they were designed for residents with local knowledge.

And I can tell that you haven't been to Adelaide for quite a while..... no bends to speak of, a tunnel about 16 feet long and "WHOOOOSH!" ypur brakes fail and you end up at Glenelg with wet feet!