What are the Best Things to do in McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu this Spring? Check out a few of our favourites in this guide, including some new places to eat, drink and stay.
To Drink – Good Karma Coffee Bar
The nearby beachside suburb of Christies Beach has another great coffee spot with Good Karma Coffee Bar going from food truck to sharing a new venue with retro cocktail lounge Boomers Bar. The funky interior, styled by owner of Boomers Bar, and artist, Shelley, is all mismatched wallpaper and upcycled furniture. With great snacks, cakes and fresh breakfast staples, this is a great way to enjoy the beach and start the day right. And of course the coffee is delicious! So if you’re looking for a walk on the beach followed by a stirring brew, then Good Karma Coffee Bar would be a great destination!
— 25 Beach Road, Christies Beach
— @goodkarma_coffeebar
To Eat – CRISP
Further down the coast, in the charming seaside town of Port Elliot, there is a brand new pizza bar in CRISP. Perfect after a long day at the beach, CRISP offers a great mix of classic and seasonal pizzas, everything from a tasty Margherita to the Mushroom pizza, with mushroom ragu, anchovies, bocconcini, snow pea tendrils, and parmesan,
finished with a cured egg. CRISP also offers a great variety of small plates to share, as well as a carefully curated drinks menu to accompany it all. Situated just off the main road through Port Elliot, on the way to the beach, it promises to be a popular destination as the weather warms up. Another reason to combine your trip to McLaren Vale with some time at the beach and make a real trip of it.
— 41 The Strand, Port Elliot
— crispportelliot.com.au
To Shop – ‘Almond Door’ @ Papershell Farm
Spring is almond blossom season in our neighbouring Willunga, as you can see from our cover, and they are plentiful and beautiful. And if you love your almonds, then do not miss the ‘Almond Door’ at Papershell Farm, offering not only delicious almonds, but all sorts of other great local produce. Owners Surahn and Jessica Sidhu bought the 10 acre almond orchard in 2017, and their family has been working hard ever since to bring the property back to life. Now a stunning, thriving almond business, the ‘Almond Door’ will make a great tasty addition to any visit to McLaren Vale, with plenty of goodies to take home.
— 203 Almond Grove Road, Willunga South, Open every Friday night 6-11pm
— papershellfarm.com
To Do – Nature Festival
Beginning on the 28th September, the 2024 South Australian Nature Festival offers over 400 events across the state, in order to connect, learn and embrace Nature. Themed around the central concept of Awe, the 2024 festival wants everyone to feel the awe that nature provides, throughout a huge calendar of events. Join any number of free and paid activities that will delight the whole family, from guided forest walks, to art, craft and cubby building. Or choose this time to stop and smell the roses, focusing on your own wellness, with wonderful meditation, yoga, hiking and forest bathing events that will leave you feeling calm and refreshed, like this morning meditation with Active Rest Retreats in the Flinders Ranges. On until the 13th October, we’re certainly looking forward to getting along to some of the great events in our local Fleurieu region.
— 28 September – 13th October 2024
— @naturefestivalsa
— naturefestival.org.au
To Stay – Vale 194
How do you fit in everything you want to see in McLaren Vale? Difficult, right? Not when you can stay in a great place
like the cottages at Vale 194, right in the heart of McLaren Vale. Featuring five 3 bedroom cottages tucked away in a quiet cul de sac, each with a beautiful stone exterior, undercover parking, and lush garden space. Ideal if you have a group of friends who all want to get away together. Inside, you have every modern amenity, including two gorgeous attic rooms, and a ground floor suite. Two modern bathrooms, one with a large bathtub to really indulge yourself. There’s even a washing machine and dryer to allow for that longer stay. A fully equipped kitchen, as well as undercover BBQ area, and plenty of place to sit with family and friends, also mean that after a big day exploring the region, you can tuck yourselves away with all your new wine and produce, and enjoy! The perfect base to explore the Fleurieu
in every comfort.
— 1-5/194 Main Rd, McLaren Vale
— vale194.com.au
UPCOMING EVENTS
30 years of winemaking – October 2024
Join our 30 years of winemaking celebrations. Oliver’s Taranga are hitting the road this October to celebrate the last three decades of Corrina being our amazing winemaker. Joining Corrina at these events is our special guest Gary Mehigan, who will be on hand for these amazing dinners, so come along to your local event and celebrate with us!
SYDNEY – 16 OCTOBER
MELBOURNE – 18 OCTOBER
BRISBANE – 23 OCTOBER
Porchetta Party – Sunday 24th November
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 24th November, 2024
WHERE 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
COST $150pp (all dietaries catered for)
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings
OTT Tunes Playlist – Spring 2024
Our Cellar Door Manager Mel has had lots of fun putting together a bright and entertaining Spring playlist for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for a soundtrack for this delightful time of year, then this is it!