If you grew up with fairy tales, you doubtless dreamed of visiting a gingerbread house covered in gumdrop buttons, dancing with fairies or defeating a fire-breathing dragon. Like many other fairy tales, a lucky few do come true.
Just like a storybook, The Enchanted Fig Tree on Kangaroo Island brings fantasies to life. Now opening their 2022-23 season, guests will be able to connect back to a sense of wonder, magic, and laughter.
Now incorporating starlight dinners with fairy tale inspired dishes, here are six reasons why you should visit The Enchanted Fig Tree this season:
1. An Experience Unlike Anything Before
Diners at The Enchanted Fig Tree don’t just enjoy a world-class meal. You begin by having canapés in a beautiful, historic shearing shed, and hear about the incredible history of owner and operator of Gastronomo wilderness dining events, Nick Hannaford, and his family on the island.
“It is a dining experience in a venue that s not equalled anywhere else in the world,” said Nick.
You are then treated to sensory culinary experiences on the walk to the tree (think Charlie & The Chocolate Factory vibes), and then finally, you walk through leafy branches of the tree, into the heart of the adventure.
There you will be seated at an intimate table, which is placed among the historic gnarled branches, which swoop and weave down to the ground, in and around the tables, and overhead, creating a magical unique setting for each diner.
The fairy lights and floating leaves add to the ambience, which delivers something unlike anything you’ve experienced before. And we haven’t even started on the food!
2. Hosted in a 120-year-old Fig Tree
Planted some 120 years ago by Settlers on Kangaroo Island, the Enchanted Fig Tree itself is magnificent. The Enchanted Fig Tree experience enables guests to dine beneath a great domed canopy of tree branches, soaring to heights reaching over two storeys high, with a leafy circumference larger than two 50-seater buses parking together.
The fact that its big enough to house an entire restaurant helps visitors understand just how majestic the tree is – and why anyone with an appreciation for nature, will marvel at your opportunity to be immersed in this natural wonder.
3. Reflects a Story of Healing
The Enchanted Fig Tree survived a terrible fire, which swept down the hillside which overlooks the property, racing towards Snelling Beach, which is located on the other side of the fig tree.
The restaurant was closed for years, while nature healed the historic tree, which is now back to its former glory. The precariousness of nature means we need to enjoy this experience, while we are able to, as nothing last forever (as the fire cruelty reminded us).
4. Introducing Starlight Dinners
In an Enchanted Tree first, the experience will also be opening for starlight dinners, with lighting inspired by the major of the Southern Stars. As you dine beneath the stars, a line-up of talented chefs including Stephanie Vass, John Stamatakis and Alana Brabin will be creating signature dishes or flavours inspired by their favourite fairy tale.
A welcome gin cocktail made with Kangaroo Island Spirits will be supplied to guests as they arrive at the secret pre-dining drink’s location. From there, guests will explore Kangaroo Island’s foraged foods, colourful personalities, and Island history filled with magic and mystery.
5. Unparalleled food
The food is next level. The experience takes guests on a culinary adventure that extends far beyond the tantalising dishes served to private tables set out within the fig trees 25-metre-wide canopy.
Without giving too much away, guests will be treated to a selection of progressive courses and tastes served in private dining grottos that have been naturally created by the fig tree’s gnarled limbs and canopy over time.
Diners can expect a hint of local history, a splash of fairy tale, and a sprinkle of the unexpected! South Australian and Kangaroo Island produce are the stars of the show, leaving beautiful memories, both visually, and of course, on your tastebuds!
6. Supports local
Kangaroo Island is still recovering, both from the terrible bushfires in 2020, and of course the pandemic. Being so remote has meant business on the island has been particularly hard, so visiting the Enchanted Fig Tree to dine will not only help this wonderful business to continue operating, but the flow on effect to the local supplies and staff, is really important to get behind. Plus, visiting Kangaroo Island is a bucket list experience in itself, so it’s time to start planning!
Open on selected days throughout spring and summer, The Enchanted Fig tree can seat up to 45 diners, sprinkled underneath the many branch nooks and crannies. The menu will be an assortment of tasting courses featuring local Kangaroo Island and South Australian produce, with local wines and beverages available for purchase.
The 2022-23 season opens on Monday 5 September with tickets on sale through the Gastronomo website.
Season dining dates start from 10 November 2022 through to 10 April 2023, and Starlight dinners are available in January 2023 until early February 2023.
For dining ticket bookings only, visit the Gastronomo website. For ferry and accommodation packages, and dining ticket bookings, contact Gastronomo’s travel partner, SeaLink, call 13 13 01 or email [email protected].
More News
