Luxury Escapes Guide to the Fleurieu Peninsula

The location of this restaurant and kiosk is enough to make you add this to your ‘when-we-come-back’ hitlist. It’s a cult favourite, whether you sit outside on the kiosk deck, or dine inside the restaurant or on the beach-facing deck, which has views that span the coastline. The restaurant focusses on modern Aussie cuisine, with a focus on fresh, local produce. The king George whiting and Kangaroo Island squid, both caught locally, never come off the menu, but there’s also steak, daily specials, delicate entrees and more (kids’ menu on offer, too). The wine list is renowned here, too.

Open only on Saturdays, this family-run chocolate and patisserie now has over 22 varieties of traditional French pastry on offer, with their raspberry and almond croissant a particular favourite with locals. There are classics likes of pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins, and a range of other sweet and savoury delights that change each week but be sure to get down early if you want to snap ‘em up. There’s also a selection of hand-painted chocolates and chocolate bars with locally sourced toppings like house-made honeycomb from local hive honey, and classic fruit and nuts from local orchards.

Opening in 2020, the much-anticipated Never Never distillery is perched atop the McLaren Vale hills, overlooking the valleys and vineyards below. The versatile space is open for tastings, cocktails and retail sales, with a stunning outdoor deck, plenty of lawn space for a rug and a picnic, and a delightfully styled distillery door. While you’re there, pop next door to Chalk Hill cellar door. The shared space is ideal for travelling groups — whether you fancy a grenache or a gin and tonic, this is the spot to sip it.

The quaint little cottage nestled among the vines on the picturesque road from Willunga to McLaren Vale is a regional icon. Current head chef and co-owner Karena Armstrong is well known for her modern, fresh, and moorish cuisine. Her house-made dumplings have become synonymous with the food culture of the region; don’t forget to smear on some of their house-made chilli sauce — it’s addictive. The menu focuses on local produce, sourcing mostly from their own garden or local farms. Sample a house-gin (this also happens to be a specialty gin bar) and watch the sun set over the vines.

A South Aussie pub stalwart, The Victory Hotel boasts views of the dramatic coastline towards the southern end of the region, at Sellicks. The lawn beer garden is the ultimate spot for a sundowner or a stop-off on a drive down the coast. Stay a while and dine inside their restaurant area, which offers modern Australian food as well as pub favourites the likes of schnitzels and locally caught fish and chips. Don’t forget to head downstairs to the cellar, where owner Doug Govan stores an incredible collection of local and international wines — this is a regional gem for wine-lovers.

If you’re a pizza-lover, a visit to the region simply isn’t complete without a stop-over at Russell’s. In operation for almost 30 years, Russell’s specialises in simple, delicious wood-oven pizzas. Their recipes have barely changed in the time they’ve opened — they’re just that good. Wood-oven bread with house-made dukkah is a delight to start, followed with a couple of pizzas and a fresh local salad. Bring a bottle of local red (it’s BYO here) and finish it off with a slice of their house-made deserts. This character-filled place will have you feeling like a local in no time.

While the region is dotted with over 80 cellar doors, S.C. Pannell is definitely one for the not-to-skip list. Winemaker Steve Pannell has won a number of awards for his drops in recent years, focussing on crafting wines that drink well with food, as well as being sustainable and suited to the climate. Try a tasty fiano if you’d like a crisp white, or sip one of Steve’s delightful nero d’avola drops or even a grenache shiraz. Stay a while longer for some food and soak up the view with a glass on the deck.

Coffee fans, rejoice! This little hideaway nestled between the vines is open Sundays for tastings, coffee, pastries and caffeinated banter. Dawn Patrol roasts all their beans from here, so you might even spot some coffee-making in action. Either way, owners Dom and Nick can whip you up a spiffy filter coffee, or take you through their range — an educational, delicious process, that’ll have you ready to take on a Sunday afternoon of exploring the region. Keep an eye out for the in-house pooch, alpaca and sheep that roam the property.

Let’s face it, a holiday just wouldn’t be quite right without a smashing smashed avo (excuse the pun). Three Monkeys is a cute little cafe in Willunga, housed in an old cottage complete with porch dining and a courtyard out the back. Their menu is delicious and ever-changing, with hits like an eggs benedict bagel or purple porridge with blueberries and warm banana. Of course, you can build your own simple brekky, with locally smoked bacon and fresh local bread, and sip on your flat white as you take in the happenings of the bustling little Willunga township.

In recent years, the Fleurieu Peninsula has begun to build a name for itself in the beer industry, with half a dozen or more local brewers popping up and selling craft brews. Goodieson is one of the first to hit the region, nestled in a pretty spot with top notch views — the ideal setting for a brew and an afternoon ponder. Aside from the usual suspects like pale ale, IPA and stout, the team here like to make different seasonal blends, including a Christmas blend that’s been barrel aged in a shiraz barrel, and a coffee stout using local coffee grinds. If you’d like to sample a few frothies, check out the brewery trail and check out these great additions: Swell Taphouse, Shifty Lizard, South Coast Brewing, Victor’s Place, Vale Brewing (at Beresford Wines).

Enjoy a wholesome wine tasting at Gemtree Wines, the Fleurieu Peninsula’s organic and biodynamic wine producer. The philosophy here is that healthy soils lead to a healthy ecosystem, producing fine wines with a clear conscience. A family-run business, Gemtree Wines achieved full organic certification in 2011 and produces delicious tipples without the need for harsh chemicals. Pop into the tasting room, built using recycled materials and powered by solar panels and rainwater. Relax on the deck with a glass of wine and snacks, knowing even any food you leave behind won’t go to waste but straight to the onsite worm garden.

There’s no doubt that a visit to The Cube at d’Arenberg will add a touch of luxury to any trip. An architectural marvel that sits atop one of McLaren Vale’s undulating hills, The Cube has garnered a great deal of attention since opening in late 2017. It houses an art gallery, as well as a tasting space at the top with 360-degree views. While a simple tasting or a trip to the gallery can make you feel swish, you could take part in one of the winery’s many experiences, including their wine tasting masterclasses or their blending bench experience.

If you’re after something super special to treat yourself or a loved one during your trip to the Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide BiPlanes offers scenic flights of the region that could be just the ticket. You can even pick your vintage plane to fly in — from the Tiger Moth built in 1940 to the WACO biplane of the 1930s. See the coastline and vineyard valleys of the region from the skies in this unique experience, and then soak up the atmosphere of this tiny airfield with a cuppa on the deck afterwards.

While you can visit for anything from a splash of wine on the deck to a tasting of the range, or a snack, Maxwell Wines also offers some indulgent dining options for those who want to treat their tastebuds. The full Dining Room experience takes around three hours and offers guests the chefs’ selection of dishes. Chef Fabian Lehmann is well known for his creative dishes, which look as beautiful as they taste, and his Dining Room menu showcases the team’s full range of talent, as well as highlighting the quality of South Australia’s local produce.

Immerse yourself in the Fleurieu Peninsula with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.