Image Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
It might be as simple as sitting in an artesian spring-fed hot pool at Sequoia Lodge, perched high atop Mount Lofty, also known as Koala Mountain, watching the thick fog roll through the thousands of acres of national park below. If you’re lucky enough to witness the dramatic parting of the fog, you may even glimpse the truffle farm in the valley, where you can also forage for mushrooms before the Sequoia chef cooks up a storm for you.
Or perhaps, it’s taking advantage of the incredible natural wonders in the Flinders Ranges, as the searing heat of the Summer disappears, and leaves perfect hiking conditions in its wake.
There’s just too many incredible experiences to list them all, but we’ve done our best to find some absolute pearlers with the help of the South Australian Tourism Commission to keep you busy, while discovering a different side to SA this winter.
The Hottest Winter Events
The days when winter was a time of hibernation in South Australia are long over. There’s a HUGE array of incredible events, which bring the city and state to life, whether you’re into the arts, food and wine, travel, or more family-oriented activities.
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is a must, with a gorgeous, curated line up of talent from around Australia and overseas, keeping us entertained from grand stages, to intimate cabaret bars, complete (of course) with pianos. Then there’s the Glenelg Winter Arts Festival, brought to you by the fabulous folks from Gluttony, which offers up a great range of entertainment, food and wine, down at the Bay.
There’s also the Adelaide Gin Festival, Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, and for those who love wine, the Winter Reds festival in the Adelaide Hills! Winter Reds is a gorgeous series of events that allow you to savour premium cool-climate red wine alongside open fires, live music, hearty food, and all the elements that define winter in the Hills.
The biggest show stopper for winter though, has to be Illuminate Adelaide. For 17 days in July, a kaleidoscope of colour spectacularly drapes itself across Adelaide after dark, giving people of all ages, an incredible reason to head into the city.
There’s something completely captivating about seeing Adelaide come alive after the sun has set, with the intrigue and majesty of light and sound shows, projected across Adelaide’s incredible historic buildings, ancient trees, beautiful gardens, and purpose-built works of art.
Merging art, light, music, and technology together, you can experience Illuminate simply by taking an enchanting walk through the city streets, or settle in for huge night of DJs, dancing and more. The immersive nature of the festival will leave you awestruck, and hungry for the magic that’s on offer. Rug up, grab some friends, and explore the city-wide spectacle of free and ticketed events.
Explore Winter Outdoors
While we all know that the Flinders Ranges is sensational in winter without the Summer heat to contend with, some creative soul has put together one of the most epic road trips we’ve ever seen. The Explorer’s Way takes between eight and 10 days, and will see you journey from Adelaide North. You’ll travel 1,142 kilometres through the Clare Valley, past 50 incredible wineries, and on to Melrose, the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges, at the base of Mount Remarkable.
You’ll explore the remote wilderness of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, and its towering clifftops, deep craters, jaw-dropping mountain ranges, and dusty, red roads. Why not make the most of nature, and pitch your tent and fall asleep under a blanket of stars. For early risers, wake up with the sunrise to traverse the ancient peaks or jump on a scenic flight to appreciate its magnitude and beauty.
While you’re on the Explorer’s Way, or if you’re just up for a visit SA’s first and only International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, another great road trip will give you front-row seats to one of the most spectacular light shows on earth.
If you’re looking for something closer to home, explore SA’s diverse range of walking trails (and you guessed it, we have a guide for that!), or try some star gazing at one of the darkest, clearest skies in South Australia at the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve. Tucked just 90 minutes’ drive from Adelaide on the banks of the Murray River, starry solitude awaits stargazers with low rainfall, clear skies, and virtually no light pollution creating the perfect conditions to explore the cosmos.
The Coziest Winter Stays
There’s something quite invigorating over the cooler months, when you find yourself a cosy retreat, where you can unwind from the world, and then step from the inviting warmth of your getaway, out into the brisk winter air. Throw in an outdoor bath, an epic view or fireplace for extra points, and you’ve got all the elements of a memorable weekend away.
Staycations in Adelaide’s CBD are great in winter because there are so many events on, and so much happening around you. But, if you prefer to hear the rain hit the roof of your cosy cottage in the Adelaide Hills, or watch the storm roll in over the sea from the deck of your Fleurieu Peninsula beach home, there is truly so much on offer. Here’s a selection of a few that we’ve stayed in and have loved!
Step into the world of CABN stays, where off-the-grid, eco-friendly tiny homes serve as the perfect base for a magical winter getaway. Choose from the original CABN Jude, nestled in bushland; the serene CABN Matilda, tucked away in Kuitpo Forest; CABN Georgia, right next to McLaren Vale’s vineyards; or CABN X Giles, just down the road.
If you’re looking for luxury, The Louise in the Barossa is a vineyard retreat, surrounded by hundreds of acres of vineyards. With 15 suites and an acclaimed restaurant, Appellation, it’s a perfect place for a Winter retreat, combining the best of the Barossa’s food, wine, and hospitality. The Louise is one of the best, high-end luxury stays in South Australia.
Perched on top of a hill, overlooking rolling valleys, you’ll find one of South Australia’s most beautiful and historic retreats – the breathtaking Mount Lofty House. Built in 1852 by prominent statesman, Arthur Hardy, as his summer house, Mount Lofty House now serves as a historic estate offering signature experiences all year round. The estate boasts different accomodation options, from being able to stay in on of their many rooms available, like the Piccadilly Garden Room, or staying in one of their suites like the Tower Suite, or truly splurging with the highest level of luxury with the the highest level of the Sequoia Lodge Suite, it is a South Australian gem. You can indulge in a hot stone massage at the day spa, or savour a meal at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, or truly immersive yourself in the rich history of the house. Mount Lofty House is truly a South Australian gem.
For a more secluded option, Trestrail Cottage is a cozy settler’s cottage hidden on 100 acres of private bushland near the Clare Valley’s famous vineyards. Spend your days bushwalking, wine tasting, and dining, then retreat to the open wood fire with a glass of Riesling.
Don’t forget, there’s also a fantastic range of glamping and camping options throughout the state. These choices are perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, while enjoying a more affordable yet still incredibly fun experience. Check out our glamping guide here.
For these stays, and more, click here.
Warm up at a winery, with a fire!
From sleek, modern, award-winning architectural cellar doors, to rustic, converted shearing sheds where you can chat directly with the winemakers, SA offers an incredibly diverse range of winery experiences. Scattered throughout the state’s renowned wine regions, like the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, many of these wineries feature inviting fireplaces, perfect for cozying up to during a winter visit.
Winter calls for the timeless pleasure of enjoying a glass of wine by a crackling fire, and South Australia’s wineries capture this seasonal charm perfectly. While it might be chilly outside, these wineries invite you to step inside, embrace the warmth, and enjoy a delicious glass of red wine, or white if you prefer. We’ve picked a selection of wineries that offer everything from tastings to hearty lunches in the colder months, but that also feature a beautiful fireplace (because we find ourselves drawn to the ones with cozy fireplaces).
Taylors Wines, known for its award-winning wines and welcoming vibe, underwent a stunning makeover last year. The cellar door now features a funky, modern looking fireplace, with a bronze-green tiled circular design. It is perfect for sipping on their rich reds and crisp whites.
While Maxwell Wines enchants visitors with its classic, dark, and robust fireplace, that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere as soon as you walk into the cellar door. The space in fact offers a glimpse into the workings of the winery, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your fireside seat with a glass of red in head. Maxwell’s wine flights ensure you’ll find a wine to suit your taste and mood. Then, compliment your tasting with a curated cheese and charcuterie board, and you’ve got the ultimate winter date.
Gibson Wines recently revealed their rustic cellar door, complete with a charming stone fireplace. It’s the perfect spot to relax with a glass of their reserve shiraz or riesling by the fire. The relaxed atmosphere and exceptional wines make it a must-visit for a winter wine-tasting adventure. According to the winery, the have ‘cutest fireplace in the Barossa’.
Meanwhile, Cobb’s Hill Estate in the Adelaide Hills has a magnificent stone fireplace that creates a cozy ambiance for tasting their renowned cool-climate wines, with their stand-out options the pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. Indoors, guests can enjoy the experience of placing logs in the fireplace themselves, which is tucked away at the end of the room and seriously radiates heat, providing a snug atmosphere for guests seated nearby. There is also a seating area around the fireplace if you want to gather around with friends. Outdoors, Cobb’s Hill Estate offers two classic fire pits. Though not covered, these fire pits radiate heat, ensuring a cozy environment even in cooler weather.
If you’re a real fireplace lover, we’ve also got a guide to places with fireplaces around SA (yes, we have a guide for almost everything) that you can explore here.
Or, for these above wineries with fireplaces, and more, click here.
Cozy Dining Experiences
As winter sets in, so does the urge to cozy up with some delicious food. It is truly the best thing there is to do in winter, catch up with friends for dinner, or go out for lunch with family and enjoy a nice comforting meal. Whether you seek decadent degustations, fine dining with a view, paddock-to-plate experiences, or casual lunch spots curled up by the fire, we’ve uncovered the coziest places to indulge this winter.
In McLaren Vale, the iconic Salopian Inn serves up some of South Australia’s finest food, straight from the garden of owner Karena Armstrong. The team there LOVES to cook, and they cook only with local, seasonal produce. The menu is eclectic, unique and ever-changing, and really reflects Karena’s food journey adventures. It’s seriously good stuff!
For the ultimate farm-to-table experience, and to have a true ‘this is Australia’ moment, head to Mayura Station in Millicent. They scooped up the title in November 2023 of “best steak restaurant” at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence in South Australia. It is truly the place for steak lovers, but it’s more than just enjoying a great hearty piece of meat, its an immersive experience. You can grab a seat around the kitchen bar with a glass of wine, and watch the chef cook your steak to perfection.
For an adventurous day in the Clare Valley region, why not cycle the Riesling Trail, and then visit a pub that has been named as the ‘Best Culinary Experience’ in the world (yes, you read that right, in the world). We’re talking about the historic Watervale Hotel, which is renowned for its culinary excellence, and received the prestigious title of ‘Best Culinary Experience’ in the world at the 2023 LUXlife Magazine’s Travel and Tourism Awards, as well as being honoured with the ‘Best Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ award in the global Corporate Livewire awards. There’s truly nothing like the warmth and comfort of a traditional country pub on a chilly evening, and this historic establishment provides the perfect retreat to unwind after your outdoor excursion. The hotel prides itself on serving locally sourced food, sourced from the owners’ own organic and biodynamic farm, ensuring a true farm-to-table experience for guests.
Heading back to Adelaide’s CBD, Peel St Restaurant is a popular refuge from chilly nights, and probably one that you’ve heard people rave about. The restaurant offers a top-notch modern Australian menu that is exciting and constantly changing, and it is its menu that is the appeal for diners in winter, fusing Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurants soft lighting, and an inviting atmosphere is ultimately perfect for a cozy meal.
For these restaurants and dining options, and more, click here.
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Experience the magic of South Australia in winter, where cozy comforts meets thrilling adventures. Picture yourself enjoying the hottest winter events, exploring the state’s vast landscapes, savouring fine wines by a crackling fire, and indulging in gourmet dining and staycations.
Whether you’re planning a city break in Adelaide, or an adventure to the remote corners of the state, The South Australian Tourism Commission has fantastic holiday deals on flights, tours, packages, and more. They’ve found the best travel deals to make your winter getaway unforgettable. So why wait? Book your winter escape now and create memories that will warm your heart long after the winter season has passed.
To view the South Australian Tourism Commission deals, click here.
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