Here at Glam Adelaide, we are massive fans of South Australia and our fair city of Adelaide. No surprises there.
I mean, we’ve spent the last 17 years promoting the best of our State to make sure everybody here, interstate and overseas appreciates just how awesome this place is. Now the world is officially catching on.
In the last 12 months, we have rocked some pretty impressive lists, so we thought it’s the perfect time to bring together the BEST OF list. So you can see them all in one spot.
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD
The Watervale Hotel is located less than two hours from Adelaide in the heart of the Clare Valley wine region. In the last couple of years, it has been completely renovated and is being heralded as one of the most exciting food and wine experience destinations in Australia. But this takes it to a new level.
What makes the Watervale Hotel unique is that they are a true farm to plate restaurant. It’s all about Ethical Epicurean Experiences. Their promise of farm-to-plate is genuine fresh food, sourced from a number of local farms including their own organic, bio-dynamic Penobscot Farm operated to permaculture principles. Their team of international Chefs, headed by Co-owner Nicola Palmer know that their job is to enhance and enrich the natural flavours mother nature has given us.
For more info, click here.
BEST BAR DESIGN IN THE WORLD
Luma Restaurant and Bar has been honoured as the 2023 winner of the ‘Best Overall Bar’ at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards Ceremony.
This accolade, bestowed by the most influential competition for food and beverage spaces globally, is a testament to the creativity and expertise that has been poured into crafting this remarkable space.
Situated in the iconic Playford Hotel, Luma has successfully blended timeless elegance with contemporary sophistication, creating a space that beckons both locals and international guests.
For more info, click here.
BEST WINERIES IN THE WORLD
Australia’s wine industry has once again demonstrated its prowess on the global stage, with four South Australian wineries earning well-deserved spots in the prestigious ‘World’s Best Vineyards’ competition for 2023.
#17 – d’Arenberg
Taking the lead among the Australian entries is d’Arenberg, situated in McLaren Vale, which secured an impressive 17th position in the global ranking.
#26 – Henschke
In the serene Eden Valley lies the Henschke family’s estate, renowned for producing outstanding Shiraz and Riesling wines. The vineyard boasts some of Australia’s oldest and most cherished vineyards, including the legendary Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.
#44 – Penfolds Magill Estate
Visitors to the Magill Estate can explore the original vineyards, dine at the Magill Restaurant, and taste a selection of wines, including the revered ‘Grange’ blend. The estate also offers the ‘Ultimate Penfolds Experience,’ a comprehensive journey through the history and philosophy behind their winemaking.
#98 – Seppeltsfield
Established in the Barossa Valley just 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia, Seppeltsfield holds a significant place in the history of Australian winemaking.
The vineyard’s legacy dates back to the mid-19th century when Joseph Seppelt, an emigrant from Silesia, purchased the land and focused on grape growing and winemaking. Today, under the custodianship of proprietor Warren Randall, Seppeltsfield remains a true national treasure.
For more info, click here.
BEST LUXURY HOTEL IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Analysing 12 months of review data from over 1.5 million hotels, the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards celebrate travellers’ favourite stays across 10 categories, from the revered ‘Top Hotels’ category, to the Hottest New Hotels, Best Hotels for Sleep, Best Luxury Hotels, Best Inns and B&Bs, and more.
South Australian boutique hotel in the Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty House, has been named No.1 in the South Pacific for both the ‘Small Hotels’ and ‘Luxury Hotels’ categories, as well as No. 24 in the world for the ‘Small Hotels’ category.
With a 30-acre estate overlooking Piccadilly Valley, Mount Lofty House has been one of SA’s premier dining and accommodation destinations since the 80’s and continues to be an icon of the state. Built in 1852, the historic building has a long and rich history that is embedded into its ethos.
For more info, click here.
BEST GIN IN THE WORLD
Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery, Kangaroo Island Spirits have been recognised at the biggest spirits awards competition in the world.
The distilling team has been awarded the highest award, a Gold Outstanding medal, for its O Gin at the 2023 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).
Only 6 gins were awarded a Gold Outstanding medal this year, this is an incredible achievement for the SA brand.
For more info, click here.
BEST SHIRAZ IN THE WORLD
Taylors Estate’s 2020 Shiraz – a $22 drop produced in Clare Valley – has been crowned the best wine in the world at a prestigious international contest.
Taylors defeated some high-end competitors and secured the coveted title of International Champion 2022 at the annual VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition in Argentina.
Third-generation winemaker and Managing Director Mitchell Taylor said that the family-owned winery excited and honoured to be internationally recognised.
For more info, click here.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Kangaroo Island has been named as one of the greatest travel destinations in the world by Time Magazine this year.
The shout out might be a surprise to some looking at the extensive list of well-known destinations to explore, but South Australians know just how special the third largest Australian island is.
It was selected among 50 extraordinary destinations for 2023, including far-flung and familiar spots from Giza and Saqqara in Egypt where the long-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum is finally revamped and reopened, to the gastronomy hot spot of Dijon, France.
For more info, click here.
BEST SKINNY DIPPING IN THE WORLD
You read that right.
The dating reviews website MyDatingAdviser.com has released a map of the best skinny dipping spots in the world. They found that Maslin Beach in Adelaide is one of the best skinny dipping spots in the world. This location was ranked 3rd with a ‘Skinny Dipping Index Score’ of 72.75.
To determine the best skinny dipping locations, MyDatingAdviser compared 100 nude swimming spots across the globe to determine the best locations to enjoy a skinny dip. They then ranked the top 25 skinny dipping locations, with the top swimming spot per country.
For more info, click here.
BEST PLAYGROUND IN AUSTRALIA
Adelaide’s Thorndon Park Reserve Playground has taken out top honours at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture (AILA) National Awards, winning the National Award of Excellence for Play Spaces.
The annual awards recognise the best parks, open spaces and playgrounds in Australia. The award-winning playground opened in December last year after undergoing a $3.1m redevelopment, designed by JPE Design Studio.
Thorndon Park Reserve Playground was applauded by the jury as being “an exemplary project that illustrates how landscape architects can deliver diverse and unique play experiences while remaining grounded in local site and community need.”
For more info, click here.
BEST WINE BAR IN AUSTRALIA
Shortly after celebrating their 1st birthday, Jennie Wine Bar has been awarded the Wine Bar of the Year 2023 at the Bartender Australia Bar Awards.
The award was presented in Sydney during Sydney Bar Week, which celebrates bringing the Australian bar industry together through education, parties, the awards and more.
“We were honestly very shocked, we have only just celebrated our first birthday so we were sill kind of reeling in that. We are very proud and very humbled about the fact that we were not only nominated by our peers, but also able to take home the award,” Jennie Wine Bar co-owner Lachlan says.
For more info, click here.
BEST RESTAURANT IN AUSTRALIA
South Australia’s Restaurant Botanic took out the top honour at the 2022 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, with chef Justin James accepting the award at a glittering gala event at Shell House in Sydney.
“There’s no question that Restaurant Botanic is a bravura performance,” says Gourmet Traveller editor Joanna Hunkin. “It combines fun and adventure with polish and poise. Chef Justin James doesn’t attempt perfection but rather embraces the beauty of irregularity and nature, making the most of the restaurant’s iconic location and using the garden’s bounty to create something uniquely of its place.”
In 2023, the restaurant also won best South Australian restaurant.
For more info, click here.
Missed one? Contact [email protected].
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