What are the Best Things to do in McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu this Autumn? Check out a few of our favourites in this guide, including some new places to eat, drink and stay.
To Perk Up – Boy & Bloom South
If you love your coffee, and a sweet beachside location, then Boy & Bloom South have you covered. Steps from the beautiful Port Noarlunga beach, Boy & Bloom South not only offer great coffee in nearly every form, but delicious breakfast and lunch menus, featuring fresh local produce. And if you want to bring your furry friend, then they’re welcome too, including with their very own menu of treats. It’s a great way to kick off a day exploring the Fleurieu Peninsula, and everything there is on offer. In fact we recommend a quick walk on the beach to earn that brekkie!
— 48 Cliff Avenue, Port Noarlunga South
— @boyandbloomsouth
To Shop – Willunga Farmer’s Market
One of our local institutions is the Willunga Farmer’s Market, the first of its kind in South Australia. Celebrating its 23rd year in 2025, this open air market features an exciting array of local South Australian producers. Buy your heirloom vegetables, home made terrine, handpicked chillis, freshly baked sourdough, organic fruit, handcrafted charcuterie, locally sourced cheese and so much more! Your basket will be overflowing with all the tasty food on offer, so much so, you might need to extend your trip to give yourself enough time to savour it all. So make sure you include a Saturday morning in your trip to fit in a trip to the Willunga Farmer’s Market.
— Willunga High School, Main Road, Willunga
— @willungafarmersmarket
To Experience – Ascend Wine Odyssey
We are so excited to announce our participation in one of South Australia’s most exciting food and wine experiences.
The Ascend Wine Odyssey brings together Oliver’s Taranga in McLaren Vale, Golding Wines in the Adelaide Hills and KimBolton Wines in Langhorne Creek, with the help of South Australian Helicopters to experience the best of South Australian wine in one amazing day. Expect a day of unforgettable luxury that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the art of winemaking, the abundance of delicious local produce and the beauty of South Australia’s natural environment. If you have a bucket list, then this should definitely be on it.
— www.ascendwine.com
To Experience – Summersalt
The Fleurieu will be playing host to the Summersalt music festival in Victor Harbor on Sunday 30th March. You can expect some great Australian bands:
– Missy Higgins
– John Butler
– Fanning Dempsey National Park
– The Waifs
– The Whitlams
– Josh Pyke
You can even get a premium ticket with privileges, including dedicated bar entry, spot near the stage, and a chair, if you think your festival days are behind you 😉 With so much great music and hopefully some bright sunshine, this will be such a fun day out, so get your friends on board for this epic festival before tickets sell out. And it’s only 40mins from McLaren Vale, so a great reason to make a weekend of it and come see us too!
— Sunday 30th March
— Muwerang-Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor SA
— @summersaltaus
To Stay – Willunga Ridge
A fantastic new choice for local accommodation is Willunga Ridge, stunning off-grid luxury pods that command a seriously impressive view all the way to the coast. Situated on Willunga Hill, the scene of the King of the Hill for the Tour Down Under race, this property has all the creature comforts, whilst being gentle on the earth. And regardless of the season, Summer or Winter, you can either open all the windows and bask in the warm sun, or close everything up tight, and settle in front of the wood burner. And it’ll be the perfect place to come back to after a day exploring McLaren Vale, and bring some delicious local produce to prepare in the full service kitchen, or on the BBQ, as you take in the view. Willunga Ridge can accommodate up to 6 people utilising both pods, or keep it cosy with just one pod to yourself, however you choose, this will be one place that’ll be hard to leave!
— 50 Range Road West, Willunga South
— www.willungaridge.com.au
And don’t forget to BOOK YOUR SPOT at Oliver’s Taranga while you’re down here enjoying the best the Fleurieu has to offer!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fireside Party – Sunday 22nd June
Fire up this June with Oliver’s Taranga for our Fireside Party, a four-course long lunch cooked over the flame. There will be fire pits, smokers and flame-grilled meats paired with Oliver’s Taranga’s classic red wines to warm you from the inside out. Dress warm and get ready for some winter fun!
WHEN 12pm, Sunday 22nd June, 2025
WHERE 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
COST $150pp (all dietaries catered for)
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings
Porchetta Party – 21 September 2025
Our Porchetta Party is the kind of lunch Sundays were made for: good friends, great tunes, awesome wines and four delicious courses of amazing food, culminating in the slow roasted, crispy, Italian style Porchetta prepared by our chef Todd Steele.
WHEN 12pm, Sunday 21st September, 2025
WHERE 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
COST $150pp (all dietaries catered for)
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings
OTT Tunes Playlist – Autumn 2025
One of our new Cellar Door hosts, Liz, has pulled together some of her favourite songs for the Autumn playlist, and we’re loving the mix of classic tunes and country vibes!