The List Adelaide Winter Festivals Guide 2024

WINTER FESTIVALS 2024

ADELAIDE WINTER FESTIVALS GUIDE 2024

Welcome

Welcome to our first ever Adelaide Winter Festivals Guide, hot on the heels of our annual Summer Festivals Guide. We’re delighted to help shine a light on South Australia’s vibrant winter scene.

When I interviewed the force of nature that is Virgina Gay, new artistic director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival, she painted a gorgeous picture of winter festival audiences: of sparkle layered over thermals, of champagne and sass, of community and celebration. So please think of this magazine as your guide to the very best places across city and state to shake your sequins over the months ahead.

So, what’s inside? We take a look at State Theatre Company South Australia’s new winter season and preview August’s South Australian Living Artists Festival, better known as SALA. We find out what’s happening at the Glenelg Winter Arts Festival, and lead you through some of the best food and drink events to make the cooler months go with a swing. There’s also South Australia’s History Festival, our guide to world-class wine country, and lots, lots more.

If it’s cold and wet outside, there’s plenty to keep you cosy between our covers. From the glamour of the concert halls to the warm welcome of the cellar doors, from the crackling firepits on the street to the open arms of the community halls, good times are everywhere, even in winter. Let’s get you out there.

Jo Laidlaw EDITOR

Acknowledgement Of Country

We acknowledge and respect the Aboriginal peoples of South Australia as the first peoples and nations of South Australia.

We recognise them as the traditional owners and occupants of land and waters in South Australia and that their spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices come from their traditional lands and waters. We recognise that they maintain their cultural and heritage beliefs, languages and laws, which are of ongoing importance. We recognise that they have made, and continue to make, a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the State.

CONTRIBUTORS

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Glitter and be Gay

IVirginia Gay, new artistic director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival, talks sequins, stories and that special Adelaide sparkle with Jo Laidlaw

t may be Virginia Gay’s first go-round as Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s artistic director, but it’s far from her first rodeo. ‘Oh, I’ve been a fan since long before I got this incredible job. I’ve done so many shows here. The winter festivals, and in particular the Cabaret Festival, are glorious: that feeling of it’s cold outside but inside it’s warm, it’s welcoming, it’s sparkling. It’s champagne and sass and mischief and sex, this feeling of the Festival Centre closing its arms around you and telling you “you don’t have to go home”’. It’s plain to see that Gay is thrilled to have landed the role, after earning her stripes across a varied career, including TV acting, playwriting, creating her own cabarets and a finalist spot on Dancing With The Stars

‘I didn’t know there could be anything more exciting than performing,’ she says. ‘I didn’t know that standing in front of a whiteboard and thinking about the ways you could craft an evening for a whole group of disparate people and scratch a lot of itches and direct people’s

attention, taking them from an incredible headliner into a perfect latenight, dirtier, scrappier show, could be so thrilling.’ Billed as the biggest cabaret festival in the world, it naturally comes with a glossy website; Gay’s video intros to each show make booking a delightful rabbit hole, while her carefully curated packages lead the audience through a suggested evening of three shows, one after the other. ‘That’s the point of a winter festival: you don’t want to go anywhere else, it’s cold and wet outside, let us give you everything you could possibly want here and let us take all the stress out of choosing!’

So what should audiences expect from this extravaganza? ‘There’s a high emphasis on incredible musical comedy and some scrappy fabulous upstarts; you know, what’s the next generation of cabaret doing?’ But there are plenty of legends to explore too: it’s pleasing to see Patti Lupone and Fascinating Aïda sitting alongside the likes of Mel & Sam. ‘What I want to do is see how broad we can make the church of cabaret, how elastic we can make the walls, how much can we include? So we’ve got these legends alongside things like Murder For Two, a whodunnit madcap twohander. Bent Burlesque has circus elements, so you get incredible singing with bodies being extraordinary. It’s Fascinating Aïda’s 40th anniversary, 40 years of these incredible women being at the vanguard of satirical song, still selling out the Albert Hall in the UK. That’s impressive.’

We need stories more than ever; something about the way the best cabaret hides the stories in the sequins fascinates audiences. It’s a highly political art form, but as Gay says, ‘if you’re lectured, you get more shut-in in your

views. The best cabaret tickles and delights, so you take the armour off and hear these stories that are perhaps outside your experience. It’s a way of opening doors through joy and sass.’

Gay’s enthusiasm for all the acts visiting Adelaide is so infectious that it seems unfair to ask her to name-check her dream line-up, almost like asking her to choose her favourite children. Instead, she responds: ‘I’ll tell you about my dream audience. They’re front-footed, curious and flexible. Don’t get me wrong, I love people who book ahead. But I’m excited by the possibility of being in a foyer and somebody going, “if you love this thing, you will love the next thing that’s happening in 20 minutes; get a drink and go there”’.

Gay continues: ‘Cabaret is such an immediate and intimate artform; feelings pour out into the foyer and there’s no distinction between performer and audience. That’s the thing that sets this festival apart, the way the audience is so much part of the vibe. The audience turn up in their glad-rags, in their beautiful sequin coats over their thermals, they drink champagne like it’s water, and they’re still there at 3am sitting in a latenight bar, singing until their voices go hoarse. We’re a community in all our sparkling otherness. And it’s glorious.’

Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 7–Saturday 22 June; Virginia Gay hosts The 2024 Variety Gala, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 7 June, 7pm, cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au; for full listings details, go to list.co.uk/adelaide-festival

PICTURE: CLAUDIO

RASCHELLA

PICTURE: DARREN CENTOFANTI

THE ODD COUPLE

The new season from State Theatre Company South Australia is a little jewel box tucked among Adelaide’s winter festivals. Among the highlights is the world premiere of romcom musical The Questions, which is exactly what Neil Cooper poses to Van Badham, the show’s co-creator

Anything can happen when blind dates don’t work out. Just ask Van Badham, arguably one of Australia’s most provocative playwrights and commentators, whose latest show is one of State Theatre Company South Australia’s flagship winter productions.

Partly, Badham’s own dating adventures led to the The Questions; it’s also how she met Richard Wise, clinical psychologist by day, punk folk musician, lyricist and the musical’s composer by night. ‘Richard and I met on Tinder,’ says Badham. ‘We were dating, but it wasn’t working, and I couldn’t work out why, because we were so into one another. I was obsessed with Richard’s band, and Richard was into my writing, so we had this profound connection, but as a relationship it just didn’t work.

‘I had this moment of clarity where I realised we were musical theatre collaborators. No two people can be this obsessed with Joanna Newsom and have these long conversations

The Questions (pictured: Charles Wu)

3 More To See from State Theatre Company South Australia

about modern folk music without being in an artistic relationship. It made me realise Tinder is a great place for meeting artistic collaborators, because you’re essentially meeting a different version of yourself.’

With both now happily married to other people, The Questions is their dating legacy: a two-handed musical romcom where a woman with a master’s degree in Gender Studies hooks up with a man who thinks Jordan Peterson would make an ideal dinner party guest. When they start to go their very separate ways, outside forces intervene: a global catastrophe forces them to quarantine together for perhaps the longest first date in history. To ease the subsequent domestic warfare, they turn to Arthur Aron’s 36 questions, devised as part of an experiment and supposedly proven to generate intimacy.

‘Richard and I did a show in Adelaide called Late Night Story,’ Badham explains. ‘I told him about the experiment. We thought it was a brilliant idea for a small-scale musical about two people building this relationship with one another, and experiencing all that pain, joy, bliss and trauma with another person.’

The show’s key came when Badham appeared on TV during lockdown. ‘I couldn’t quite work out the hook,’ Badham remembers, ‘but one of the stories we talked about was this couple in China who went on a blind date and got locked in the building by the Chinese government. Even though the date was a disaster, they were trapped. All of a sudden they’d gone from being on this disastrous date, to essentially co-habiting in a non-sexual version of a marriage, within minutes.’

But Badham insists: ‘This is not a lockdown show. It’s a show about two people in an extraordinary circumstance where, through no choice of their own, they become everything to one another and have to find a way to negotiate that process.’

With State Theatre artistic director Mitchell Butel helming the production, the cast features former Doctor Doctor regular Charles Wu alongside rising star Chaya Ocampo, who appeared in Katy Warner and Zoe Rinkel’s musical, Girl Band. ‘Charles is a dream and Chaya is a force of nature,’ Badham says.

She stresses that the world’s broader political situation hasn’t fed into The Questions (there are songs about underpants). But as a political commentator, whose study of American rightwing conspiracy group QAnon was published in 2021, she is aware of a need to build bridges beyond polarisation and conspiracy theories. ‘The story of the play is, if those two stay with the antagonism that rises in the first act, that’s how they will die, with nothing but resentment. I think human beings can do better than that.’

So does the play’s oddest of couples find a happy ending? ‘It’s musical theatre!’ is all Badham will reveal. ‘We’re a bunch of musical theatre nerds, who are here to deliver the musical theatre experience. I think if you love musicals, you’ll not be disappointed.’

The Questions, Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 26 July–Saturday 17 August, times vary, statetheatrecompany.com.au

CANDIDE

This new concert-style staging of Leonard Bernstein’s adaptation of Voltaire’s novella is a collaboration between State Opera South Australia and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Alex Lewis takes the title role.

 Her Majesty’s Theatre, Kaurna Country, Adelaide, Thursday 23–Saturday 25 May, times vary.

JULIA

Julia Gillard’s tenure as rst female prime minister provoked a vicious misogynistic backlash. Excerpts from her famous 2012 speech calling this are used to great effect in a towering performance from Justine Clarke.

 Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 16–Saturday 31 August, times vary.

SYMPHONIE OF THE BICYCLE

The bicycle’s history is a long, often rocky, road. Hew Parham’s freewheeling tale features volcanic eruptions and a two-time Tour De France winner secretly transporting documents to save Jewish people in WWII.

 Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, until Saturday 25 May, times vary.

For full listings details, go to list.co.uk/ adelaide-festival

Julia PICTURE: JESSICA LINDSAY

Van Badham

Winter. Our Way.

With special deals on experiences and accommodation to keep you warm.

Fleurieu Peninsula SCAN

Chill out

Clockwise from top: The Drop In: Reds Edition, Porchetta Party at Oliver’s Taranga, Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week, Raclette Igloo Experience, Oyster Palooza

The winter months are packed with food and drink events to help you cope with the cooler days (or at the very least, distract you from them). Katie Spain invites you to rug up and revel in wine tastings with a bonfire view and hearty food-focused shindigs. Cold, what cold?

THE RACLETTE IGLOO EXPERIENCE

Marshmallows around firepits and a private igloo where you and friends feast on raclette (warm, gooey, melted cheese) draped over cured meats, potatoes and pickles, while drinking mulled wine and looking out at the night sky. Does it get cosier than that? Not unless you’re in the Swiss Alps. n Festival Plaza, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, until Sunday 9 June, racletteiglooexperience.com.au

CLARE VALLEY SCA GOURMET WEEK

An absolute must and only a couple of hours away from Adelaide. This year sees the festival’s 40th anniversary; they’ll celebrate with more than 85 events including wine tastings, gourmet dinners with local and guest chefs, food and wine pairing events, and cooking demonstrations highlighting local produce. In a nod to history, the Clare Valley Wine And Grape Association will host a special Hall Of Fame gala dinner at O’Leary Walker Wines (Friday 24 May).

n Clare Valley, Ngadjuri and Kaurna Country, Friday 17–Sunday 26 May, clarevalleygourmet.com.au

WINTER OF WINE, FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP

Winemaker Briony Hoare isn’t one to let the seasons get in the way of a good time. Her McLaren Vale cellar door, Beach Road Wines, is known for great events. This winter, she’ll host three nights: Mulled, featuring wholesome food, mulled wine and live music; Winter Frost-ival, themed around food and wine; and Fondue And Groove, where fondue and dancing star.

n Beach Road Wines, McLaren Vale, Kaurna Country, Saturday 8 June–Saturday 10 August, beachroadwines.com.au

THE DROP IN: REDS EDITION –THE RISE OF ALTERNATIVE VARIETIES

There’s a lot to love about sitting by a fire with a glass of red in hand, and you can do exactly that at this National Wine Centre event. Think barbera, tempranillo, aglianico, mencia, blaufränkisch and many more exotic varieties from producers across the nation. Entry includes unlimited tastings and a complimentary Spiegelau glass to savour your favourite pours.

n National Wine Centre Of Australia, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Friday 21 June, nationalwinecentre.com.au

PORCHETTA PARTY @ OLIVER’S TARANGA

Porchetta on a nippy day (particularly the crispy crackling) is just what the doctor ordered. The Oliver’s Taranga Porchetta Party has gathered quite a following for its long Sunday lunch culminating in the slow roasted, Italian-style porchetta prepared by local chef Todd Steele.

n Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards, McLaren Vale, Kaurna Country, Sunday 23 June, Sunday 29 September, oliverstaranga.com

CELLAR DWELLERS

You don’t have to be a wine aficionado to appreciate the beauty of aged wine, but if you are a wine buff this one is for you. Enthusiasts and the curious flock to Coonawarra during July as wineries dust off rare cellar treasures that aren’t usually available for day-to-day tastings. There are more than 40 events, activities, tastings, degustation dinners, long lunches, chocolate and wine pairing, and cooking classes to choose from.

n Coonawarra, Boandik Country, Monday 1–Wednesday 31 July, coonawarra.org

ADELAIDE BEER & BBQ FESTIVAL

What do you get when you pour thousands of beers, add a side of barbecue (the pro kind), and pop a bunch of live rock bands on top? Mayhem: the fun kind. This is a favourite for craft beer and interesting beverage lovers. Bad// Dreems perform on Saturday while Peter Combe And The Newspaper Mama Band hit the stage on kid-and-dog-friendly Sunday (see feature on page 31).

n Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Friday 12–Sunday 14 July, beerbbqfest.com.au

CELLAR DOOR FEST

Sip the handiwork of more than 180 South Australian wineries, all under one roof. Wine and spirit producers from the far corners of the state converge on the CBD for this showcase of vinous delights from the Riverland, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Barossa, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and the Limestone Coast. There’s food and live music to boot. n Adelaide Convention Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 19 & Saturday 20 July, cellardoorfestival.com

WINTER REDS

Wineries across the vast Adelaide Hills stoke their fires for this annual event, where cellar doors, tasting spaces and restaurants all showcase their beautiful reds. There’s so much to twirl, sniff and taste: pinot noir, syrah, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and alternative varieties such as tempranillo, nebbiolo and gamay. Events are split into categories; Tour + Taste (visit a few wineries in one day for live music, DJs, firepits, mulled wine, casual food and wine tastings), Cosy Classes (wine immersions and tasting flights hosted by an expert) and Fire + Feast (lunches and dinners of the indulgent kind).

n Adelaide Hills, Peramangk Country, Friday 26–Sunday 28 July, adelaidehillswine.com.au

FLEURIEU FOOD FESTIVAL

Clear your diary for August because this moveable feast runs for the entire month. The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to hundreds of food and wine producers, showcased by lunches, dinners, cooking demos, workshops and markets. Local producers embrace the chance to open their farm gates, cafés, restaurants, markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries, community spaces and venues for one-off, unforgettable experiences. Think lunches in olive groves and a strawberry fest in forest surrounds.

n Fleurieu Peninsula, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri, Kaurna, and Peramangk Country, Thursday 1–Saturday 31 August, fleurieufoodfestival.com

OYSTER PALOOZA

If oysters and gin are your jam, Never Never Distilling Co’s Oyster Palooza Festival is one for the diary. The hilltop McLaren Vale shindig celebrates the mollusc in many forms, including freshly shucked, plus gin tastings sipped from oyster shells in a whole weekend’s worth of food and drink fun.

n Chalk Hill Collective, McLaren Vale, Kaurna Country, Friday 2–Sunday 4 August, neverneverdistilling.com.au

ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW

Roll up, roll up, it’s showtime! South Australia’s largest, longest-running event is particularly exciting for youngsters. Perhaps it’s the menagerie of animals that make their way from their farms to the city, or maybe it’s the rides, the sideshows, the classic Adelaide Show bites (dagwood dog and fairy floss anyone?) or the Showbags . . . There’s plenty here for foodies of all ages to enjoy.

n Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Saturday 31 August–Sunday 8 September, theshow.com.au

Above: Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, below: Winter Reds

Warm by the fire. Chill to the music.

Various locations city-wide

Friday & Saturday nights

7 June to 31 August

COOBER PEDY OPAL FESTIVAL

COOBER PEDY

FLAME

ADELAIDE COPPER COAST

FLEURIEU PENINSULA

KANGAROOISLAND

THE FESTIVAL CITY

GLENELG

VICTORHARBOR

CLARE VALLEY SCA GOURMET WEEK

FESTIVAL

FLEURIEU FOOD FESTIVAL

GUTSY KANGAROO ISLAND

WINTER WHALE FEST

GLENELG WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

Where It’s At

CLARE VALLEY

ADELAIDE HILLS ECHUNGA

Wherever you are in South Australia, you’re never far from a festival this winter

PENOLA

my perfect day

WITH DAVE COURT

It’s still important to get outside, even when it’s cold and wet, so what’s your favourite spot for blowing away the cobwebs? I live near Morialta Conservation Park and a walk around there is always nice, especially after it’s rained when the waterfalls are going turbo. You can get a juice or coffee from the truck at the bottom; don’t forget to stay hydrated if you’re going for an ambitious hike.

When it’s time to cosy up, what’s the one thing you rely on? I do enjoy a cheeky heater under the desk at the studio to keep my toes warm. I’m in a shared studio in a very old warehouse space so need to be careful about plugging the heater into the right circuit, I have been known to trip the electricity with half the building losing power.

What’s your signature food order on cold days? My winter warmer signature order would be the veggie dumpling laksa at Dumplings R Us on Rundle Street. It’s hot, spicy, soupy and hearty and it’s handy too, it’s in the heart of the East End right in-between

LOC, The Exeter and Cranker (aka The Crown & Anchor).

There are so many amazing festivals happening this winter, what’s your top pick? Illuminate Adelaide would be the top pick for me. I may be biased having been lucky enough to be involved the past few years, but the combo of art, music and tech is right up my alley. It’s so great to have access to high-level work by artists and makers from all around the world right here in the city.

Is there an under-the-radar spot or event you think deserves a bit more love? Lots of things deserve the love! praxis ARTSPACE in Bowden has a cool program for the rest of this year, people should get along to an opening there, I’m looking forward to seeing friends West Thebarton this June at The Gov for their long-awaited album tour.

davecourt.art; for full listings details, go to list.co.uk/adelaide-festival

First Class Begins on the Ground

ADELAIDE CABARET FRINGE FESTIVAL

The precocious l’il sis of the official Cabaret Festival, the open-access CabFringe brings around 100 performances to the city. Expect madness, mayhem, sparkle and spice, with a mix of seasoned performers, emerging stars and have-a-go heroes. Leather Lungs hosts CabLive, a nightly drop-by lineup show featuring established and new musicians, held together by Leather Lungs’ soaring vocals and excellent chat. Other highlights include Frankly’s final Adelaide appearance for 2024, Alex And The Babes’ She Shanties (improvised musical tales from the sea) and Winston Goldstein’s Ode To The 1%, which blends Radiohead with private jets and a $2475 ticket price. Because rich lives really do matter. (Jo Laidlaw) n Various venues, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Friday 24 May–Sunday 2 June, cabaretfringefestival.com

HISTORY SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S HISTORY FESTIVAL

The state-wide celebration of history returns for the month of May, and power is the theme: power in art, science, industry, storytelling and, above all, power in people. ‘It will be a lightning bolt for venues and organisations to showcase inspiring, intriguing and challenging events,’ says Paul Rees, head of museums and major events for the History Trust Of South Australia. ‘Every single South Australian has a story to tell about power, no matter how personal or far-reaching.’

With more than 500 individual community events, including talks, exhibitions, screenings (and even an illustrated history of the pub crawl), it’s a packed programme. Main themes include a chance to get up close and personal with the state’s built heritage with a series of open-doors events, beautiful stories of history and reconciliation led by First Nation Elders, sharing the heritage and traditions of South Australia’s diverse multicultural communities, plus a lively strand of familyfocused programming (who can resist Bob The Railway Dog story-time?).

Perhaps the most intriguing event is a literal celebration of the theme: to coincide with the 100th anniversary of local invention, the Stobie pole, 100 specially commissioned portraits of 100 South Australians will be displayed across selected Stobie poles throughout the state. If getting round them all sounds a bit too much like hard work, you can see the full line-up of stunning black and white portraits online. There’s even a chance to tour the dedicated plant at Angle Park where the poles are made. Power on. (Jo Laidlaw)

n Various venues, South Australia, until Friday 31 May, festival.history.sa.gov.au.

COMMUNITY PENOLA COONAWARRA ARTS FESTIVAL

May sees the return of the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, a locally led festival that punches well above its weight. The four-day programme will host more than 40 exhibitions, live performances and children’s events, with lots of opportunities to get hands on with creative workshops, delicious food and Coonawarra wines (make a weekend of it and bookend your trip with some cellar door action).

Highlights include Festival Friday, when the historic main street comes alive with food, wine and live music until late (Friday 17 May). Grassroots music event Shenanigans also returns, with live acts including Adam Page And The Antics Roadshow Band (Saturday 18 May). Down The Lane is the theme for Sunday afternoon, when Petticoat Lane will come alive with kids’ activities and the popular Makers’ Market (Sunday 19 May). Other events include a gig from The Blackeyed Susans’ Rob Snarski; Lovers And Villains, a specially created introduction to opera with performers from State Opera South Australia; and the presentation of the John Shaw Neil Acquisitive Art Prize, worth a hefty $12,000. (Jo Laidlaw)

n Various venues, Penola and Coonawarra, Boandik Country, Thursday 16–Sunday 19 May, artsfestival.com.au

FESTS AND EVENTS MAY

FLAME FESTIVAL

Uniting the Copper Coast towns of Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo, Flame Festival is a community-led event with plenty of sparkle. It all kicks off with a Flaming Fiesta in Kadina, with food stalls, live music and fire performances (Friday 24 May). The fun then moves to Wallaroo, with Sparks And Sounds at the Town Hall, featuring a performance from Walter Whip And The Flames (Saturday 25 May). Moonta rounds things off with a pop-up pedestrian mall with stalls and music (Sunday 26 May). In-between, there are storytelling, heritage, exhibitions and a mini music festival.

n Copper Coast, Nharangga Country, Friday 24–Sunday 26 May, visitcoppercoast.com.au/flamefestival

CUSP: THE POP-UP CABARET SHOW

There’s much to explore at Adelaide’s Cabaret Fringe Festival, but you could do a lot worse than start your evening’s adventures with Cusp, a free 30-minute show that takes a whistle-stop tour around some of the highlights. Expect singing, dancing, fire-eating (you know, the usual), hosted by CabFringe award-winner Jamie Alexandra. Check socials for the pop-up location and don’t be late, ’cos they won’t wait.

n Locations tbc, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Saturday 18 & Saturday 25 May, Saturday 1 June, times vary, cabaretfringefestival.com

GRENACHE FEST

What’s more winter-warming than a lovely drop of grenache? The Market Shed On Holland plays host to this event, celebrating the development of the grenache grape with tastings from lots of boutique producers. There’s live music too, with food vendors doing their bit to keep you cosy. And if you want to shake things up, there are plenty of local beers and ciders to taste as well.

n The Market Shed On Holland, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Saturday 25 May, bowdencellars.com.au/ adelaide-wine-markets

ADELAIDE The City of Music

ADELAIDE The City of Music

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable development. Recognising the value and importance of creativity and creative industries the UCCN operates to promote and enable sustainable development by helping cities recognise and leverage their cultural and creative strengths.

Adelaide was designated a UNESCO City of Music in 2015, one of several creative categories within the UCCN due to its historic and contemporary love and talent for music, its infrastructure, institutions, and world-leading policy reform that nurtures and enables music to thrive.

The Adelaide City of Music (ACOM) office is committed to representing South Australia’s diverse music community and culture, sharing its stories, aspirations, and leadership, and building relationships and opportunities across the UCCN and beyond.

Adelaide joins the world in confronting the devastating combined effects of COVID-19, economic downturns, and the changing nature of music consumption and entertainment preferences. Being connected to a 370plus strong network of cities that support creativity and the creative industries provides a wellspring of resources and expertise we can draw on to find and develop new solutions.

Adelaide has a strong tradition of progressive and innovative world-leading thinking when it comes to music, arts, and creative industries. ACOM eagerly embraces the challenges ahead and is working to help revitalise and support our dynamic music and creative sectors by providing a bridge to a world of expertise and experiences, as well as sharing our own with those seeking solutions during this crucial period of recovery.

For more information and to stay up to date with new projects, collaborations, news, and opportunities from across South Australia and the UCCN, visit our website, follow our social media, or send us an email.

WINTER WHALE FEST

Victor Harbor will be buzzing as the community celebrates the return of the southern right whales to the Fleurieu Peninsula with a whole month of familyfocused activities. For budding marine biologists (and just plain old big baleen fans), they’ve orchestrated a host of educational experiences around the harbor led by conservation leaders, as well as the traditional Ramindjeri Welcoming Of The Whales. With heaps to do and learn, cosy up in your winter warmest and get set to make a splash, exploring the wonders of the ocean and the dynamic, dramatic coastline.

(Annabel Fedcesin)

n Victor Harbor, Ngarrindjeri Country, Saturday 1–Sunday 30 June, winterwhalefest.com.au

Cedric Varcoe

Do tell Mama

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival rolls into Adelaide Festival Centre this month.

Charlotte Kowald peeks through the glitter to bring you her pick of the fest

THE BEST OF MEL & SAM

Mel & Sam hit the stage for one wild night with the very best of their bonkers brand of musical comedy. Armed with catchy original hits, dance numbers and anecdotes, they usher in a new, gloriously queer era of cabaret.

 Space Theatre, Friday 14 June, 9pm.

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Did someone say cabaret book club? Join Jennifer Byrne, Marieke Hardy and Virginia Gay for a panel discussion of The Great Gatsby, soundtracked by classic jazz-age songs performed live. Sunday afternoon well spent.

Banquet Room, Sunday 16 June, 3pm.

GILLIAN COSGRIFF: ACTUALLY, GOOD

There’s a reason Cosgriff won Most Outstanding Show at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In a brilliant and beautiful hour of original songs, improvisation and hilarious stand-up, Cosgriff asks about the little things that make life worth living.

Sunday

Space Theatre, Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June, times vary.

EMMA DONOVAN:

TIL MY SONG IS DONE ALBUM LAUNCH

Emma Donovan never fails to stun with her distinctive blend of musical styles and incredible voice. Donovan sings songs of country and community, celebrating the launch of her fifth studio album.

Dunstan Playhouse, Thursday 20 June, 8pm.

JESS HITCHCOCK: A FINE ROMANCE

Subtitled ‘The Songs That Made Me’, this is Hitchcock’s love letter to the jazz, blues, rock and opera (oh yeah, she’s got pipes) that have shaped her unique sound. Hauntingly unforgettable. Space Theatre, Thursday 13 June, 6pm.

HOPELESSLY DEVOTED

Celebrate the lasting legacy of Olivia Newton-John along with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and some of Australia’s best and brightest vocalists. Featuring songs from Grease and Xanadu, alongside Newton-John’s catalogue of hits, you’ll still be singing on the drive home.

Festival Theatre, Saturday 15 June, 7.30pm.

IOTA: ENTER THE DRAGON

Just a man with a guitar and some stuff to sing about. By candlelight. Stripped-back and intimate, this one will tear your heart apart then stick it all back together again.

 Banquet Room, Thursday 20 June, 9.30pm.

JEKYLL & HYDE

Festival favourites A Slightly Isolated Dog return to the stage with their raucous take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, combining the best and most chaotic elements of theatre, music and comedy in one absurd (and sexy) show.

 Space Theatre, Friday 7–Sunday 9 June, times vary.

REUBEN KAYE:

THE END  SONGS OF FINALITY & FAREWELL

Bid adieu to the festival with everyone’s favourite chaotic cabaret darling. Performing some of the all-time best closing numbers with a tight-as-hell band, Kaye says farewell to the festival . . . and hello to the after-party.

 Banquet Room, Friday 21 & Saturday 22 June, 10.15pm.

PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES

Patti LuPone . . . say no more! The Tony Award-winning icon brings a lifetime of song to the Festival Theatre, taking the audience on a journey through her youth, coming of age and her showstopping career. Legend status achieved.

 Festival Theatre, Wednesday 19 June, 8pm.

MUSICAL BANG BANG

This never-seen-before (and never-to-be-seen-again) performance tasks a cast of actors, comedians and improvisers to do the impossible and create a stage show on the spot. No scripts, no plan and no guarantees: cabaret chaos at its best.

 Banquet Room, Friday 14 & Saturday 15 June, 7pm.

LISA SIMONE: KEEPER OF THE FLAME

This exclusive show is a daughter’s tribute, as Dame Lisa Simone sings the classics of her mother, Dr Nina Simone. Accompanied by an all-star big band, Simone pays tribute and carries the legacy of the High Priestess Of Soul as only she can.

 Festival Theatre, Saturday 22 June, 8pm.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 7–Saturday 22 June, cabaret. adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au; for full listings details, go to list. co.uk/adelaide-festival

Clockwise from below: Reuben Kaye, iOTA, Mel & Sam, Jekyll & Hyde, Emma Donovan, Gillian Cosgriff

WINTER WEEKENDS

See the city in a different light this winter, with the return of Winter Weekends. With delicious food and wine from a variety of city restaurants, toasty fire pits and live entertainment, Winter Weekends blur the boundaries between inside and outside, transforming the city streets into a haven of warmth and welcome

n Various locations, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Friday 7 June— Saturday 31 August (Friday and Saturday evenings only), cityofadelaide.com.au/winterweekends

COOBER

PEDY OPAL FESTIVAL

Fancy a road trip? Opal town Coober Pedy promises an outback festival like no other and, in a town where 60% of the population live underground in dugout mineshafts and hillsides to escape the blistering summer heat, we tend to believe them. June’s the perfect time to go: expect fireworks, music, stuff for the kids and a street parade. Book the underground hotel while you’re there.

n Coober Pedy, Arabana Country, Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 June, opalfestival.com.au

HILLS WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL

The work of this super-cute festival really starts in April, when local kids get busy making their own lanterns in a bunch of workshops. They’re then paraded through the streets, all lit up and lovely. The festival has now moved to Echunga but the same community spirit will prevail.

n Echunga, Peramangk Country, Saturday 15 June, hwlf.com.au

AND EVENTS JUNE

GUTSY KANGAROO ISLAND

Bring your beanie and your boots; the good folks of Kangaroo Island have got the vintage in and the fire on and, apparently, nobody leaves hungry. There’s immersive cinema, country tunes in The Shearing Shed, and Dudley Wines celebrate 30 years of island life with tastings throughout the weekend. Feel-good fun.

n Kangaroo Island, Karta Pintingga, Friday 7–Monday 10 June, tourkangarooisland.com.au

AVCON

Get ready: South Australia’s celebration of the world of animé and video games is back. This huge event takes over Adelaide Showground with highly competitive cosplay, gaming, art, special guests, comps and prizes. There’s also a separate after-dark event for the 18+ age group.

n Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Friday 28–Sunday 30 June, avcon.org.au

JULY

ILLUMINATE ADELAIDE

For the fourth year, Illuminate Adelaide will transform the cold nights into spectacles of light and wonder. There’s an exciting programme of free and ticketed installations, events and experiences, all designed to tempt you out of your winter cocoon and into a luminous city. Adelaide Botanic Garden becomes a spellbinding wonderland for the duration, with Fire Gardens, featuring 7000 hand-crafted fire urns, magnificent candlelit archways and kinetic sculptures. There’s after-dark puppetry and animation in Universal Kingdom at Adelaide Zoo, Unsound Adelaide at The Dom Polski Centre includes an appearance from Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, while City Lights will transform the city’s most cherished buildings. n Various venues, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Thursday 4–Sunday 21 July, illuminateadelaide.com

Christine ‘Chrissy’ Ibrahim is a woman on the rise. Starting out as a classically trained singer, she gained a contemporary music degree, which led to roles in a range of venues showcasing up-and-coming performers. From there, she was exposed to the wonders of the aerial arts, taking to the skies with an aerial vocalist act which brought her to the famed Dracula’s cabaret venue in Melbourne and Queensland and fetish show Torture Garden in Japan. Next she caught the attention of director Elena Kirschbaum when a spot in the Rouge ensemble became available. Four years’ later, the hit show is making its way to Glenelg to spice up the beachside suburb’s Winter Arts Festival.

Although the festival will be a first for Ibrahim, she is excited to explore Adelaide outside Fringe season, hoping to see a more local, community audience. She finds Adelaide crowds in general to be kind and supportive: ‘They’re very used to circus,

they’re quite an educated audience.’

To Ibrahim, Rouge is ‘classy smut created by a woman’: a sexpositive show aimed at de-vilifying hypersexuality and delivering a feminist message through new-age circus for adults. It combines traditional acts like acrobatics, fire performers and aerialists with contemporary burlesque, dance and song. ‘Rouge brings the wonder of circus to adults in a way that’s more palatable to them,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Circus usually has a clown and more traditional costumes and is appropriate for all ages. Rouge has more of an edge and a clearer meaning, with a lot of acts with a feminist or inclusive message.’ The women are powerful and the men, quite literally, lift them up. ‘It’s being put forward in a kind way. I think audiences like that.’

Rouge, Glenelg Winter Arts Festival, Colley Reserve, Glenelg, Kaurna Country, Friday 5–Sunday 14 July, times vary.

3 More To See at Glenelg Winter Arts Festival RED ALERT

Christine Ibrahim, star of steamy circus cabaret show Rouge, tells Annabel Fedcesin how she and her castmates will be heating things up in Glenelg this July

FRIENDLY FEMINISM FOR THE MILD MANNERED

A fresh rewrite of Millicent Sarre’s feminist cabaret piece (which premiered at the Adelaide Fringe). Smart, funny and topical, expect a gently humorous approach to the day’s big topics.

DOM CHAMBERS: FAKE WIZARD

Forget the top hat and tails, Chambers’ brand of magic is fast, funny and completely 2024, but one tradition remains: you really will wonder how in the heck he did that. Expect genuinely jaw-dropping moments combined with genuine laughs.

CIRCUS: THE SHOW

It’s the school holidays, and while the whole festival is packed with family fun, you really shouldn’t walk past Circus: The Show. What these guys don’t know about keeping the kids entertained isn’t worth knowing, and there’s plenty of joy for adults as well. Heaps fun.

Colley Reserve, Glenelg, Kaurna Country, Friday 5–Sunday 21 July, gluttony.net.au/ glenelg-winter-festival; for full listings, see list.co.uk/adelaide-festival

Bands, brewers and bbq-ers

I’m the last man standing “

Aussie icon Peter Combe brings the generations together at Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival’s kid and dog-friendly Sunday arvo slot. Jo Laidlaw chats to the living legend about his four-decade-long career and why he never underestimates his young fans

Peter Combe needs no introduction to generations of Australians (‘Iconic, never fallen out of fashion, pre-schoolers I teach all know his name and songs,’ according to a Gen Z chum). So what’s it like to have had such a long stint in the limelight? ‘It’s been a lovely career,’ muses Combe over Zoom. ‘I pioneered the whole children’s singer-songwriter movement in Australia, and there still aren’t that many people doing it; I’m the last man standing because I’ve been here for over 40 years, but I never take anything for granted.’ Not that he’s showing any signs of slowing down. ‘I still love it. And I’m in the middle of writing my 17th album.’

It’s not just about the food and drink at Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival. Music headliners include The Australian Rock Collective, featuring members of Powderfinger, Spiderbait, You Am I and Jet in a performance showcasing the best of Aussie rock, while Bad // Dreems & Friends’ Saturday night set pays homage to the great South Australian songbook. You’ll also find emerging acts including Southern River Band and the intriguing The Unexpected Virtue Of A Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band, playing tunes from the iconic game. On the grill, low and slow stars Carolina Smoke and Brisket & Brawn will be bringing the burnt ends. Flamin’ Grillas introduce their latest invention, the ‘pig Ferris wheel’, while Goldieburger make their SA debut. Festival ambassador Alana Brabin’s line-up of chefs includes Warndu, while Mr Charlie’s will be bursting preconceptions about plant-based food.

Finally, there are more than 1000 beers (and notbeers) to sample, sourced from breweries near and far. The Independent Brewers Association Of Australia have worked with festival ambassador Ryan Davidson (founder of Little Bang Brewing Co) to curate a list of 67 beers from indie brewers, as well as presenting a series of on-stage debates and masterclasses.

No one can sustain success for that length of time, in any genre, without a deep understanding of their audience and it’s clear Combe has an enduring respect and appreciation for his. ‘You spread a lot of happiness when you sing. If you love the songs, the children will sing with you, and that sets up a lovely atmosphere. But you don’t have to always be silly; you can do meaty things. Never underestimate a child: they’re musically intelligent, emotionally intelligent, intellectually intelligent. Never think “I can’t do this because it’ll be too hard for them.”’

That’s not to say they’re an easy crowd: ‘Adult audiences can be wonderfully polite: you can bore them for three-quarters of an hour and they might shuffle in their seats a bit and look a bit disgruntled, but they’re not going to make a lot of noise and be annoying. You can’t do that to children: you’ve got to engage them in the first three minutes and, if you don’t, they’re not going to be polite. They’ll make their displeasure known!’

Ah yes, adult audiences. Recent years have seen Combe play a series of 18+ pub shows with his band, aimed at young adults who’ve grown up with his songs, which he describes as ‘almost like a religious experience without the religion’. He also speaks of the joyful multigenerational crowds he attracts to his regular Adelaide Fringe shows, with kids, parents and grandparents all joining in what he calls a ‘three-tiered’ audience. Is that what he’s expecting from his Sunday set at Adelaide Beer & BBQ Fest?

‘By definition, beer and barbecue means there’ll be a lot of young adults there, but it’s family day, so there’ll be people of all ages. I’ll do all the old favourites as well as a couple of new ones. The full band will be there, so it will be a lot of fun. But people should definitely expect a few surprises too.’

Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Friday 12–Sunday 14 July; Peter Combe & The Newspaper Mama Band play Sunday 14 July (kid and dog-friendly day); beerbbqfest.com.au

JEWELS

Australian Ballet present George Balanchine’s Jewels , a three-part ballet celebrating his vision of three gems: Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds. With opulent costumes and sets, this lavish work exemplifies and captures the company’s celebratory spirit as it reaches its milestone 60th anniversary.

 Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Friday 12–Thursday 18 July, australianballet.com.au

SPIN OFF

Spin Off’s line-up makes you wonder if they’ve somehow managed to squeeze an extra couple of hours into the usual 24: music fans will not be short-changed by this one-dayer that brings the quantity as well as the quality. Bill-toppers include Girl In Red, G Flip and Conan Gray, with The Last Dinner Party, Baby Gravy and Peach PRC also present and correct. If that’s not enough, the separate Sound Archive Stage will have sets from the likes of DJ Seinfeld, Sam Alfred and JamesJamesJames. Bring comfy shoes.

 Adelaide Showground, Wayville, Kaurna Country, Friday 19 July, spinoffadelaide.com.au

This major exhibition showcases Art Gallery Of South Australia’s significant collection of Harris’ work, with loans from the TarraWarra Museum Of Art as well as public and private collections. It charts a journey from 1989’s The Stations to the present day, addressing his experience of the body, desire, faith and the eternal question: what follows death?

 Art Gallery Of South Australia, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Saturday 6 July–Sunday 20 October, agsa.sa.gov.au

Brent Harris: peaks (vision over Taranaki)

CHIHULY IN THE BOTANIC GARDEN

As winter wends its way into spring, the Botanic Garden will welcome Garden Cycle, a major exhibition by celebrated American contemporary glass artist Dale Chihuly. The free outdoor event merges Chihuly’s stunning glass works with the change of seasons, alongside a new art trail incorporating local artists and organisations. Known for stunning forms on a dramatic scale, this Australian premiere is only the third time Garden Cycle has been exhibited outside the US. Packed with colour, shape and surprise, it’s a boundary-pushing approach to one of our oldest artforms. (Jo Laidlaw)

 Adelaide Botanic Garden, Kaurna Country, Friday 27 September 2024— Tuesday 29 April 2025, botanicgardens.sa.gov.au

The South Australian Living Artists Festival is a place where artists at all stages of their careers can come together: the only stipulation is that they must be alive and kicking, discovers Lucy Ribchester

I‘LUST FOR LIFE

’ve lost track of exactly how many times I have been directly involved in SALA [South Australian Living Artists Festival] since I graduated,’ says this year’s feature artist, Adelaide-based Julia Robinson. She reckons it’s between six and eight, spanning solo exhibitions, panel discussions, talks and awards.

‘SALA is a broad church and even if you aren’t exhibiting there are so many ways to be involved, support your peers and immerse yourself.’

The festival has been running since 1998, expanding gradually to cover the whole state and month of August, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers from the emergent to the acclaimed and established. More than 600 venues, from sheds to shops to wineries, will show work from more than 7000 living artists to thousands of eager viewers.

This year, Robinson has been chosen as the festival’s feature artist, an honour which comes with an invitation to feature work on the SALA poster and programme, as well as to exhibit. Robinson has created a brand-new installation, Split By The Spade (partly inspired by Andrew Michael Hurley’s 2019 novel Starve Acre), which continues the threads of folk horror and lore that run throughout her work.

Featuring her trademark motifs such as historical costuming techniques and found objects, the installation includes a gallows tree, a fallow field and a burial site, ‘conjured in the gallery space as a series of textile apparitions,’ says Robinson.

She has a long-standing fascination with ‘narratives around death, decay and renewal’; this manifests itself in different pieces, as uncanny figures and body parts, fabric and wire animals, rutting deer shrouded in fabric and embroidered smocks with scythes for hands. A monograph (published during SALA) will unpick some of her recurring themes and reflect on Robinson’s body of work.

She credits her British heritage for much of her fascination with horror and folklore. ‘My paternal grandparents lived in Manningtree, where infamous Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins imposed his reign of terror,’ she says. ‘And my maternal grandparents lived not far from the sites of the notorious Red Barn Murder [in Suffolk, 1827] and the trial of William Corder. These dark histories were part of the fabric of my upbringing.’

But for all the talk of death in Robinson’s work, SALA is, and will always be, a place to celebrate the living. ‘The early impetus for founding SALA was the disproportionate attention given to deceased artists over living ones,’ says Robinson. ‘Artists who are living and working today need recognition and support; we need to feel seen and to know that our work connects to the current cultural zeitgeist.’

South Australian Living Artists Festival, various venues, South Australia, Thursday 1–Saturday 31 August, salafestival.com

Julia Robertson at Hugo Michell Gallery

AUGUST & BEYOND

FESTIVAL

World-class guitarists come together to deliver an exciting roster of events, including The Princess Bride In Concert: experience the classic movie with a full orchestra as Slava Grigoryan performs Mark Knopfler’s score live. Paco Peña, one of the most revered names in flamenco guitar, returns to Adelaide with Requiem For The Earth, a hopeful call to action featuring musicians from Spain and two choirs, creating a festival highlight on a grand scale.

 Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Thursday 12–Sunday 29 September, guitar.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

GRENACHE & GOURMET FESTIVAL

Celebrating McLaren Vale’s bold and beautiful grenache, this festival will see an array of exciting events across the region. Expect tastings, winemaking experiences and guided masterclasses, all paired with gorgeous food from some of the Vale’s top chefs.

 Various venues, McLaren Vale, Kaurna Country, Friday 20 September–Monday 7 October, mclarenvale.info/whats-on/events

OZASIA FESTIVAL

For the love of art and diversity, OzAsia’s annual celebration fosters the cultural exchange between Australia and Asian countries. Artistic and executive producer Joon-Yee Kwok curates a thrilling and thoughtful program of theatre, dance, music, film and visual art from faraway lands and cultures. The event also pulls crowds with its Moon Lantern Walk and The Lucky Dumpling Market.

 Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country, Thursday 24 October–Sunday 10 November, ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

MCLAREN VALE WINTER WINE MARKETS

What’s better than going to McLaren Vale? How about having the Vale come to you? The McLaren Vale Winter Wine Markets are taking over The Market Shed On Holland for one day only, with wineries, pop-up restaurants, beer and spirit producers, and live music. As well as all the lovely stuff to eat and drink, there will be a series of masterclasses and plenty of winter warmers along the way.

 The Market Shed On Holland, Adelaide, Kaurna Country, Saturday 10 August, mclarenvale.info/whats-on/events

PICTURE: NAOMI JELLICOE

Adelaide and surrounds offer a dizzying number of dining and drinking spaces where you can escape the winter chill, from long lunches to hot new bars and restaurants worth booking ahead. Katie Spain shares her top tips for eating and drinking around the city and its fringes

EAT

Aces

96 Gouger Street

aceschinatown.com

(08) 7095 9794

You can’t miss this brand spanking new two-level restaurant: its red neon sign screams ‘fun’. It’s both an ode to the original Aces Bar And Bistro (which opened more than 30 years ago) and a nod to the restaurant’s Chinatown setting. That means the menu smacks of Italian classics, but there’s also a bubble tea inspired cocktail (so good) and a fun Yum Ciao lunch (basically Italian yum cha). There’s space for up to 140, split between street seating and sexy Italian vibes.

Adelaide Central Market

44–60 Gouger Street

adelaidecentralmarket.com.au (08) 8203 7494

For fresh produce, there’s no place more exciting than the historic CBD market. Many of the 70-plus stalls are owned by multi-generational traders, and there are a smattering of dining options in the mix. Must-visits include Lucia’s Pizza And Spaghetti Bar (the first pizza bar in Adelaide) for the late Lucia Rosella’s legendary spaghetti bolognese; Sunmi Sushi for buchimgae (Korean pancakes) made by store owner and former Olympic volleyballer Sunmi Kim; and authentic Malaysian flavours, including the signature Sarawak laksa, at Asian Gourmet. Or take a seat at seafood stall SiSea for a bowl of Eyre Peninsula wok-fried mussels. Winter people-watching doesn’t get any better.

Adelaide Pho

199 Waymouth Street facebook.com/adelaidepho (08) 8212 0997

A great pho is worth searching out: this little gem has long provided quality, affordable Vietnamese soup to devoted locals. Lieu Tran and her family spent more than a decade labouring over the perfect broth, which arrives with a healthy serving of mint, coriander, Thai basil and condiments. The humble, oldschool space is at the relatively quiet end of Waymouth Street.

Africola 4 East Terrace africola.com.au (08) 8223 3885

Some of the most famous folk in the world have eaten at this fun restaurant, from Katy Perry to Foo Fighters. It’s no surprise: everything about Africola demands a voracious approach to life. The menu is African-inspired (but not exclusively; there’s always room to play). It opened in 2014 and still merits its place in the line-up of inspired

DRINK ADELAIDE

Chianti

dining spots. Takeaway lunch joint Africola Canteen (The Parade, Norwood) is worth a gander, too.

Aurora 63 Light Square auroraadl.com.au

0422 245 511

A restaurant with art at its heart, Aurora is part of ILA, Adelaide’s Centre Of Immersive Light And Art. The stylish space is a delightful backdrop for the super-local produce-packed menu which can be explored through the à la carte, or trust the chefs and opt for a tasting menu showcasing their favourite dishes. Seasonal produce is sourced locally: in winter, that means hearty, wholesome and warm dishes (get excited about the duck and lamb).

Bandit Pizza And Wine

248 Unley Road, Hyde Park banditpizzawine.com 0488 104 772

Some of Adelaide’s best restaurants can be found in the suburbs: this is one of them. Bandit delivers an almighty vibe thanks to an open-plan kitchen, variety of dining spaces, and staff that go the extra mile to deliver smiles. It’s more than a pizza and wine bar, thanks to a top line-up of chefs and a banging wine list. The snacks are stellar; think pork and kangaroo meatballs with white bread and tasty trimmings.

Chianti

160 Hutt Street chianti.au (08) 8232 7955

An oldie but a goodie. Chianti owners Maria and Frank Favaro have clocked up three decades (and counting) of devoted regulars. Warm, Italian charm (and food) is their secret: this is fine dining with a jovial undercurrent where newcomers are welcomed as old pals. Below the bustling restaurant, there’s an impressive cellar of old and new wine. The generosity here is genuine; a percentage of tips are donated to charity.

Ernest Delicatessen

48–50 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf ernestdeli.com.au

The talk of the Adelaide Hills is a new and very cute delicatessen by the name of Ernest. It’s part deli (for killer sangas), part coffee spot, and part pasta fix for locals in the know. On Hahndorf’s main drag, nothing begs for winter comfort food (and a lazy drive) like the chilly and atmospheric Adelaide Hills. On Fridays, Ernest hosts Pasta e Vino nights, which kick off at 5pm and are a great chance to work through the wine list (which champions Italian wine varieties made locally).

Fino Vino

82 Flinders Street finovino.net.au (08) 8232 7919

For what is arguably the best value meal in town, go no further than Fino Vino: the express menu includes three plates and a glass of wine for around $55 per person. The feel-good factor at this top-notch Italian haunt is palpable. Exuberant co-owners Sharon Romeo and chef David Swain put their heart and soul into service, from pickled vegetables made using a recipe concocted by Romeo’s late father to the famous crema catalana.

Fugazzi

27 Leigh Street (08) 7089 0350

fugazzi.com.au

If you’re after a sleek, sexy, New York-Italian diner-style atmosphere, this is the ticket. The front bar is full of dark leather and rich red tones, while marble tables and timber booths dot the main dining space where co-owners Laura and Max Sharad’s Italian heritage permeates the menu. It’s one for date-night or a negronifuelled catch-up with pals. And, unlike many restaurants, Fugazzi is open seven days a week.

Herringbone

72–74 Halifax Street herringbonerestaurant.com.au 0428 926 9770

Conviviality is audible in this rustic city haunt, with a greeting like a welcoming hug from a friend. Happy staff wave from the kitchen, over a herringbone-tiled bar topped with

tempting jars of pickled produce. Dishes are full of life, vibrant with fresh produce. In the atrium space, a tree stretches its boughs above dining tables: Mother Nature’s very own centrepiece. It’s a beautiful, unpretentious place and the quiet sidestreet location makes it a great spot to hide from the world.

Hey Jupiter

11 Ebenezer Place heyjupiter.com.au 0416 050 721

This is as close as you’ll get to a Parisian café in Adelaide. When French restaurateur Christophe Zauner and his partner Jacqui Lodge opened their small East End brasserie in 2002, the aim was to bring French joie de vivre to Australia. The petite bistro serves hit after French hit; from breakfast (available late on weekends), to snacks (freshly shucked oysters served with a glass of Louis Roederer champagne), lunch and dinner. C’est délicieux.

Kiin

73 Angas Street kiinrestaurant.com.au (08) 8448 1221

If you haven’t tried Kiin’s greenonion-and-garlic-chive mashed potato, you’re missing out. It’s creative comfort food done right. The red curry cheeseburger is also worth multiple return visits: the punchy little handful is an example of chef Ben Bertei’s fresh take on modern Asian dining. Kiin (Thai for ‘eat’) opened in December 2022 and the slick, warehouse-style space welcomes all forms of dining: bar-style seating with

a kitchen view, quick lunches, or long, lazy feasts. On the dessert front, the green apple gelato ‘bombe Alaska’ is so speccy you need to snap it.

La Louisiane

89 King William Street lalouisiane.com.au

Once a pop-up, now here for good: hurray. There’s something tantalising about descending a staircase toward an underground bar and restaurant, knowing French cuisine, live jazz and cocktails (named after cult French films) await. Pop in for a pre-dinner Martini or French wine, alongside steak frîtes by head chef Alexis Besseau, then stay for a few more rounds after dessert. It’s dimly lit, high-energy, a little bit salacious, and a whole lot of fun.

Longplay Bistro

131 Pirie Street

longplaybistro.com.au

As dream teams go, the crew behind Clever Little Tailor, Pink Moon Saloon and Brighter Later gin have the magic touch. Their latest hospitality adventure is a bistro serving a small but endearing mix of European classics (given a modern twist by former Summertown Aristologist chefs Calum Horn and Jude Hughes) and an epic global wine and spirit list. A carefully curated vinyl soundtrack adds to the laid-back vibe. Atmosphere is everything here.

Niña

38 Rosina Street ninarestaurant.com 0477 833 378

Hola! Looking for Spanish share plates in a lively setting? This 52-seater restaurant is in the Sofitel Adelaide. Order as you graze, or hide from the cold and settle in for the two-hour Nom Nom menu which showcases the best of the bunch. Either way, make sure you order the Basque cheesecake: wow. While the menu is a love letter to Spain, the wine list leans into South Australian drops, most of which are biodynamic. There’s Spanish beer, cocktails and non-alc options too.

ODÉ Bistro

151 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide | odebistro.com.au 0408 276 198

Fine dining meets bistro fun at this new North Adelaide haunt. The setting is dark, broody and elegant, while the menu exudes flashes of French, Spanish and modern Asian cuisines. Owner and head chef Simon Ming is a champion of technique, and his classy little hangout is elevated by a beverage offering from award-winning sommelier Bhatia Dheeraj. It’s all very civilised, without the stiff upper lip. A lovely addition to the city fringe.

Osteria Oggi

76 Pirie Street

osteriaoggi.com.au (08) 8359 2525

The perfect bowl of pasta does exist: you’ll find it at Osteria Oggi where the focus on house-made pasta is unwavering. It’s a vibrant place, where things hit full swing with the arrival of dishes such as campanelle (laden with smoked eel, peas, chilli, lemon and

chervil) and wood-grilled sirloin. The award-winning interior and fast-paced service creates a buzz. Oggi opens until late, seven days a week.

Parwana Afghan Kitchen

124b Henley Beach Road, Torrensville | parwana.com.au (08) 8443 9001

There is arguably no place in South Australia more heartwarming than this family-run restaurant. It’s not new (far from it), but it is consistently authentic and has been since the Ayubi family opened it on the outskirts of Adelaide in 2009. Expect aromas and flavours from their homeland of Afghanistan, including belly-warming ashak (fried dumplings filled with leek and topped with lamb kofta). There’s no booze but you are welcome to BYO, with the small corkage fee donated to charity.

Peel Street

9 Peel Street peelst.com.au (08) 8231 8887

One word: fresh. Towering plates of fresh ingredients attract a steady flow of regulars to this buzzing CBD favourite and the hum of anticipation fills the (always busy) space. Generosity of size and spirit permeate the restaurant and endearingly honest staff talk you through the options scrawled on two large blackboards. Each dish heaves with herbs, SouthEast Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, and there’s fun to be had identifying them.

Soi 38

74 Pirie Street soi38.com.au (08) 8223 5472

A certain kind of magic happens when Terry Intarakhamhaeng hits the kitchen. Soi 38’s co-owner and executive chef champions regional Thai flavours, with an emphasis on dishes that capture Thailand’s lesser-known regions, history and ethnic minority groups. Located in the old Pirie Street Subway, the warm hospitality is typical of the lovely family that runs it. Possibly one of the most underrated restaurants in Adelaide.

DRINK

2KW Bar & Restaurant

2 King William Street, Adelaide 2kwbar.com.au (08) 8212 5511

The outdoor terrace bar shines in summer, but it’s a treat to watch the city lights twinkling from the rooftop location of this upmarket heavyweight anytime. The booze is great here, with a decent spread of unique cocktails, local treasures and international gems from the cellar. If you’re the type to dress up and strike a pose, you’re in for a treat.

Apoteca 118 Hindley Street apoteca.com.au (08) 8212 9099

An oldie but a goodie, especially if you enjoy stepping back in time. The hustle and chaotic bustle of Hindley Street surrounds this special bar and restaurant but once inside, you’re engulfed in 1920s-era splendour and apothecary-style décor (look up: the chandeliers are sublime). It’s fitting then, that champagne and fine wine rule the drinks menu. A treasured spot; best book ahead if you want to eat downstairs

Baddog 63 Hyde Street instagram.com/baddog_bar Baddog is pretty much as clandestine as it gets in this city. If the small light in front of this bluesy bar is on, consider it open. Owner Zac Markov has a thing for top-shelf spirits and the care he takes to meticulously prep drinks is testament to that. Pass the time by exploring the dark space, its booths, and the bar stacked with whisky, gin and other tempting things.

Bar Peripheral 447 Pulteney Street instagram.com/bar_peripheral 0412 419 058

Good things come to those who wait, especially quality cocktails. This 12-seater bar (that’s it, and no standing) is bijou, beautiful and bespoke. Owner-bartender Vini Wang knows his stuff: there’s no menu and proudly so. Finally, a bar without the boozy crowds; you can’t book for more than four, which naturally means booking is highly recommended. Simply slide into their DMs.

The Bibliotheca Bar And Book Exchange

1/27 Gresham Street bibliotheca.com.au 0400 066 650

A European-style bar full of books and lovely literary vibes: what’s not to love? For fans of words (and well-crafted cocktails), this is a dream come true. Bibliotheca is a great place for solo imbibing too, because there’s always a book for company. Curl up in an armchair or take a perch while you page-flick and snack on nuts and bolts (the old-school cereal snack), grilled camembert and toasties

East End Cellars 25 Vardon Avenue eastendcellars.com.au (08) 8232 5300

Calling all wine aficionados and the downright curious, this legitimately wonderful wine bar has more than 10,000 bottles on show (in bar and bottle-shop format) ranging from obscure drops from faraway lands, to difficult-to-find local unicorns. The cheese platter is arguably the best in town and the onsite restaurant channels European influence. The best seats in the house are the window perches, or kerbside when the street hits full swing.

The Exeter Hotel 246 Rundle Street theexeter.com.au (08) 8223 2623

This grungy, old watering hole has channelled authenticity since 1851. You can’t miss the iconic green tiles that cling to the exterior, much like the regulars who gather around the

Parwana

Kiin

pub’s mosaic-topped kerbside tables. It’s unpretentious and welcoming; you’re as likely to see rock stars here as you are thespians, tradies and business folk. A great beer garden, crisp Coopers Ale, reasonably priced wine, affordable pub meals and equally iconic loo-door art round off the experience. Raise a glass of Krug to the arts while you’re here (yes, you can get it by the bottle). No pokies: phew.

Fú Cocktail & Wine Bar

129 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide | fubaradl.com.au (08) 7225 7842

Head for North Adelaide to unearth this new(ish) bar by Geoff Hunt and partner Eva, who hails from Guangzhou, the food capital of China. In addition to the 50-or-so bottles on the wine list, they also serve cocktails and have a cabinet full of cool, rare bottles they’ve collected. Food is a cultural collaboration: classic bar snacks and delicious house specials channelling Asian flavours, incorporating veggies and herbs grown in their garden. Fú means ‘good fortune’ in Mandarin; the warm welcome nails it.

Hellbound Downstairs, 201 Rundle Street hellboundwinebar.com 0420 322 715

The words ‘go to hell’ took on new meaning when co-owners and beverage aficionados Mark ‘Reggie’ Reginato and winemaker Louis Schofield opened Hellbound in 2018. The space (a former office) needed a lot of work; they did it all themselves and now the underground lair is home to an ever-changing and impressive list of red burgundy, champagne, Italian reds, and plenty of local alternative varieties and producers. There’s also a selection of beer, aperitifs, gin, vodka, tequila and mezcal, grappa, moonshine, bourbon, whisky, brandy, cognac, armagnac, calvados, and eau de vie. It’s a party, alright.

Jennie Wine Bar

7 Peel Street jenniewinebar.com.au

A refreshingly welcoming exploration of the global world of wine. Jennie is run by five pals who called their bar after the name given to a 500ml bottle of wine. Part bar, part online bottle shop, it embraces a thoughtfully curated wine offering with informative staff who love to share the stories behind the producers and the places where the grapes were grown. A genuinely nice place to be.

Latteria 185 Hutt Street latteriabar.com.au (08) 8102 3775

So hot off the press it’s basically smoking. This aperitivo bar and cocktail lounge has been created by the people behind much-loved restaurant Osteria Oggi. It’s a great place to settle in for afternoon or evening drinks (especially on Sundays when there’s a special lunch menu and all-day DJ). The snacks are sensational, the negronis stellar, and there’s plenty of space to relax and imbibe with Italian style.

La Buvette Drinkery

27 Gresham Street

labuvettedrinkery.com.au

Escape the daily grind with a trip to France: this lush family-run Euro star is tucked away down a CBD side street and serves bistro-style treats such as escargot alongside French aperitifs, stellar cocktails, and local natural and organic wines. Whether you’re indoors (where the light is delightfully dim) or on the sidewalk, it oozes authenticity and feels like a true neighbourhood bar.

LOC 6 Hindmarsh Square locdotcom.au

This small-but-beautiful independent online bottle shop-turned-bar attracts a devoted and wine savvy crowd.

LOC stands for ‘left of centre’ which gives some insight into the kind of minimal intervention wines in the glass. Owner Olivia Moore is a muchloved Brit-turned-local who calls upon an exciting line-up of chefs to man the small kitchen on a rotating basis. Fresh, fun and all heart, with a Hindmarsh Square view.

Makan

Level 1, 116 Flinders Street makanwinebar.com

Flinders Street’s new South-east Asian inspired wine bar is the brainchild of Ben Liew and Karl Tang who work at fusion restaurant Paper Tiger. There’s nothing fancy about the fitout, though the upstairs and balcony delivers LED lighting, dark dive-bar vibes and DJ deck in the corner promising good times. Makan means ‘to eat’ in Malaysian/Indonesian and the snack menu reflects these faraway lands.

Mother Vine 22–26 Vardon Avenue mothervine.com.au (08) 8227 2273

A stellar global wine list and a slick interior make this a classy place to imbibe and dine. Head chef Clinton Lam has a thing for Asian and European fare so expect substantial contemporary dishes and snacks that straddle both. Vardon Avenue

is usually busy, and this is a great pitstop or place to settle in and watch the action unfold. Grab a window seat if you can.

The Olivia Hotel 170 Hutt Street theoliviahotel.com.au

This pub-meets-wine bar with courtyard is all charm. An unassuming stained-glass front door leads to a character-packed space full of vintage furniture and collectables. Candles flicker as the light dips, dripping wax across surfaces topped with wine bottles of the exciting/emerging producer kind. It’s the kind of place where Friday knock-offs include a DJ, the weekly quiz night attracts a devoted crowd, and the occasional guest winemaker makes an appearance to pour their goods and chew the fat in an intimate setting.

Proof

9a Anster Street proof-bar.com

This was one of the small bars that forged the way for Adelaide’s tiny but top-quality laneway scene. The split-level space serves great local wine, more exotic liquid gems, spirits, thoughtfully made cocktails and fancy toasties prepped on the sandwich press behind the bar. The rooftop terrace is a jewel.

Shotgun Willies / Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues

22 Gilbert Place shotgunwillies.com.au, memphisslims.com.au

A double whammy of personalitypacked venues. On the ground floor, Shotgun Willie’s is all boot-scooting, Wild West-vibing shenanigans. One moment you’re watching Brokeback Mountain on the television screen in the far corner of the bar, the next you’re swilling beer while singing along to live acts, the likes of which you see on TV series Yellowstone. Hidden below, on the basement level, is Memphis Slim’s House Of Blues; a whiskyslinging, live blues band-hosting gem of a hideaway. It’s one of the best live music venues in Adelaide and is still (largely) a well-kept secret. Shhh.

Velvet

Underground

107 King William Street instagram.com/ velvetunderground.adl

Another new kid on the block. This basement bar is the sister venue to The King William (a bistro, revamped beer garden and saloon which calls one of the city’s oldest remaining buildings home). The dive bar’s name is apt; it features velvet walls, murals, a pool table and darts. It’s dedicated to live music so expect a high-volume experience.

The Bibliotheca Bar And Book Exchange

OUT OF TOWN GUIDE

Whatever the season, South Australia is home to a stunning feast of food and wine, from vineyards and cellar doors, to cosy restaurants in the great outdoors. Katie Spain and Jo Laidlaw explore the world-class wine regions less than an hour from the centre of Adelaide

ADELAIDE HILLS

A roaring fire and a view over the treetops is as good as a holiday; ask anyone lucky enough to live in the Adelaide Hills. Fortunately, we can all visit this beautiful cool-climate wine region, just 20 minutes from the CBD. Heavenly produce translates to heavenly dining: everything from the fancy (check out Bird In Hand Winery’s new LVN Restaurant) to great bakeries, distilleries (Full Circle Spirit’s new eatery Ondeen is a must) and pub food done right (cheers to The Scenic Hotel).

CELLAR DOOR HIGHLIGHTS

Ashton Hills Vineyard

126 Tregarthen Road, Ashton ashtonhills.com.au

As cute as a button, this corrugated iron-clad cellar door is known for outstanding pinot noir and riesling.

Bird In Hand

150 Pfeiffer Road, Woodside birdinhand.com.au

Bird In Hand has always been a stunning spot to visit, but the addition of their new LVN Restaurant elevates the offering. Executive chef Jacob Davey (ex-Restaurant Botanic) uses bounty from the onsite garden and emphasises native Australian ingredients.

CRFT Wines

45 Rangeview Drive, Carey Gully crftwines.com.au

A small, unpretentious and utterly charming tasting room with backyard shed vibes. A glass of their grüner veltliner in the terrace bar is bliss.

Full Circle Spirits

15 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Verdun ondeen.com.au

Artisan distiller Full Circle Spirits has a new home in an iconic 1850s property and homestead. Taste white spirits, whisky, liqueur and creative non-alcoholic drops made by Rose

Kentish, alongside dishes by chef Kane Pollard. Cockle-warming stuff.

Hahndorf Hill

38 Pain Road, Hahndorf hahndorfhillwinery.com.au

A warm, inviting boutique cellar door and vineyard near the historic German-heritage village of Hahndorf. Try a ChocoVino experience, pairing chocolate and wine.

K1 Wines By Geoff Hardy

159 Tynan Road, Kuitpo winesbygeoffhardy.com.au

What a view. From the moment the car rolls down the tree and vine-lined drive, it feels like you’re in the Swiss Alps, with a tasting space overlooking a lake with fancy treehouse vibes.

Mordrelle Wines

River Road, Hahndorf mordrellewines.com.au

Martin Moran makes some of the best sparkling wine in the country and cooks a mean barbecue from this family-run, appointment-only tasting space and winery.

Murdoch Hill

260 Mappinga Road, Oakbank murdochhill.com.au

Expect to be served by the family members who make the good stuff. The chardonnay is exemplary in this modern cellar door overlooking farmland and towering gum trees.

Nepenthe Wines

93 Jones Road, Balhannah nepenthe.com.au

Driven by sustainability, this newly renovated winery has a VIP tasting room, dining space and vistas just begging for photos.

Tapanappa

15 Spring Gully Road, Piccadilly tapanappa.com.au

One for wine history nerds: the winery’s driveway passes the famous Tiers Vineyard, planted in 1979 by industry pioneer Brian Croser in a beautiful spot.

Tilbrook Estate

1856 Lobethal Road, Lobethal tilbrookestate.com.au

James and Annabelle Tilbrook are eco-warriors of wine and their netzero-carbon cellar door is a beacon of positivity after the 2019 bushfire ripped through their property.

Watkins Wine

59 Grants Gully Road, Chandlers Hill watkins.wine

This hilltop winery is run by a dynamic trio of lovely siblings who love what they do. You can feel it in the rustic surrounds, the fun food and the laid-back events they host. (Thursday night trivia is a hoot.)

GETTING THERE

A TrailHopper bus is the simplest, most cost-effective way to get to the Hills. It collects guests from the city’s Stamford Plaza Hotel, or you can catch the bus in Hahndorf (trailhopper.com.au). Taxis/Uber can be difficult to find in the Hills, so plan ahead. Other tours are available.

MCLAREN VALE

There are plenty of reasons to explore McLaren Vale in winter, including the new Shiraz Trail, 8km of mostly flat walking and cycling paths linking the Vale’s wineries with Willunga. Just 40 minutes south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale has a dizzying amount of cellar doors to explore.

CELLAR DOOR HIGHLIGHTS

Battle Of Bosworth Gaffney Road, Willunga battleofbosworth.com.au

Simply oozing character. Joch and Louise Bosworth pour their certified organic wines in a beautiful old 1850s chaff shed. It’s intimate, genuine and proudly organic.

Chalk Hill Wines

56 Field Street, McLaren Vale chalkhillwines.com.au

A shining example of McLaren Vale’s community spirit and home to the Chalk Hill Collective, made up of Chalk Hill Wines, gin distillery Never Never Distilling Co and Cucina Di Strada, which offers casual Italian street-food dining.

Dandelion Vineyards

191 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale dandelionvineyards.com.au

Elena Brooks’ winery epitomises the blending of tried and tested techniques with new thinking. The aptly named Wonder Room hosts their tastings, all accompanied by stunning seasonal mini-bites from chef Chris Bone and endless views over the valley.

D’Arenberg

58 Osborn Road, McLaren Vale darenberg.com.au

A trip to the Vale isn’t complete without visiting the giant Rubik’s Cube-inspired structure here, with a museum featuring a multi-million dollar Salvador Dalí exhibition. There’s a choice of two restaurants onsite, too.

Gemtree

167 Elliot Road, McLaren Flat gemtreewines.com

There’s a lot to love about this biodynamic wine producer. Join Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie on a stroll through the Gemtree Eco Trail to hear ancient stories of his people and land.

Hither & Yon

17 High St, Willunga hitherandyon.com.au

This tiny cellar door is big on atmosphere and original features (it was built as a butcher’s shop in the 1860s). The café next door shares the space and there’s always a cheese board on the go. They’re big on juicy, bright reds and there’s a commendable focus on biodiversity across their vineyards.

Ivybrook Farm

34 Thomas Road, Maslin Beach ivybrook.com.au

This boutique family winery makes savoury, minimal-intervention wines. Expect to see family members pouring Nick Hunt’s creations in a lovingly restored barn.

Main And Cherry

60 Grants Gully Road, Chandlers Hill mainandcherry.com.au

This new, modern, Brown Falconerdesigned space boasts floor-toceiling double-glazed windows and

breathtaking 180-degree views. There’s also the chance to visit the resident farm animals including miniature donkeys, alpacas, sheep and Indian runner ducks.

McCarthy’s Orchard

207 Sand Road, McLaren Vale mccarthysorchard.com.au

A new addition to this wholesome cellar door means twice the space in which to hang out. Lisa and Mark McCarthy grow apples, pears, stone fruit and cherries as well as grapes on this working farm. Rusty old farm relics hang on the walls and curious farm animals drop by to say hello.

Oliver’s Taranga

246 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale oliverstaranga.com

A 182-year relationship with the land is the heartbeat of this estategrown wine brand and family, where Corrina Wright tells her family story through wine.

Samson Tall

219 Strout Road, McLaren Vale samsontall.com.au

A heavenly hideaway, with a tasting space set in in a little renovated church with cemetery views. Ask winemaker Paul Wilson for Samson Tall’s story: he’s buried here.

OUT

Samuel’s Gorge

193, Lot 10 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale gorge.com.au

It doesn’t get more evocative than an 1853 farm shed atop a ridge, with spectacular wines and equally spectacular views over the Onkaparinga River National Park.

Yangarra Estate

809 McLaren Flat Road, Kangarilla yangarra.com

Yangarra Estate Vineyard’s impressive new space offers tasting experiences and views of the certified organic biodynamically farmed vines.

GETTING THERE

McLaren Vale is a 40-minute drive from Adelaide. It’s possible to get taxis/Uber but be prepared to wait. The Route 31 Coastal Drive hugs the coastline from O’Sullivan Beach to Sellicks Beach (mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com. au). Metro rail services operate between Adelaide and Seaford and there are bus services between Adelaide and the area’s townships (adelaidemetro.com.au). Plenty of tours are also available.

Dandelion Vineyards

BAROSSA

Cold weather? Do what Barossans are famous for and enjoy the tasty things in life. The Barossa is a rich tapestry of culture, food, wine, traditions and architecture, and it’s all just 70 kilometres north-east of Adelaide. Made up of two distinct regions (Barossa Valley and Eden Valley), you can watch blacksmiths at work, see coopers craft barrels, or browse art galleries, gift stores and popular wine bars and restaurants.

CELLAR DOOR HIGHLIGHTS

Artisans Of The Barossa 16–26 Vine Vale Road, Tanunda artisansofbarossa.com

Eight small but delightful wine producers are showcased at this new space and the restaurant is top notch, too.

Bethany Wines

378 Bethany Road, Tanunda bethany.com.au

A stunning place for a tasting flight and history lesson. The Heysen

Seppeltsfield

730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield seppeltsfield.com.au

Nothing screams winter like fortified wine. There’s a lot of it here, and you could easily spend a day at this palm tree-dotted estate. There’s a winery and award-winning restaurant as well as artist studios, galleries and gift stores.

Tomfoolery

517 Stockwell Road, Light Pass tomfoolerywines.com.au

This sweet, cottage-like cellar door and the wines on pour are the work of exciting winemakers Sarah and Ben ‘Chippy’ Chipman.

Yalumba

40 Eden Valley Road, Angaston yalumba.com

As Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, there are many stories to hear and plenty to do, including picnics and a tour of the cooperage where the barrels are made.

GETTING THERE

Trail weaves its way through this family-run property, past creeks and buildings that whisper tales of yore.

David Franz

94 Stelzer Road, Stonewell david-franz.com

Often named best small cellar door in the region, a gorgeous spread of small-batch, lovingly made wines is accompanied by Barossa-made snacks to build your own platter.

Henschke

1428 Keyneton Road, Keyneton henschke.com.au

The Henschke family has made wine in the Eden Valley for more than 150 years and you can taste all that history in this sleek new cellar door. Farmers at heart, they’re committed to an organic, biodynamic approach.

Mirus Vineyards

130 Heinze Road, Seppeltsfield mirusvineyards.com

A new addition to the Barossa landscape. Part cellar door, part art space (the Wonderground Gallery), set on a 120-year-old property (rural vibes aplenty) which has had a lot of love and restoration breathed into it.

Pindarie Wines

946 Rosedale Road, Gomersal pindarie.com.au

Children and adults climb the mountain of hay bales on the cellar door’s lawn and the lunch offering is great (especially the sausage rolls). It feels like you’re dining in a farm’s backyard.

It takes around an hour to drive to Barossa Valley from Adelaide. Taxis must be pre-booked and local taxis operate once you’re in the area. The Metro train runs from Adelaide to Gawler Central, you can then pick up a bus to Nuriootpa via Lyndoch and Tanunda (adelaidemetro.com. au). Tour operators include the TrailHopper Bus (trailhopper.com. au). If you’re feeling fancy you can see the region in a hot-air balloon.

THIRSTY FOR MORE?

Mirus Vineyards

Seppeltsfield

59 Grants Gully Road, Chandlers Hill, SA, 5159. Open Thursday to Monday.

Book a table via our website www.watkinswine.com.au