The day after our evening ferry back to the mainland we drove a hour to McClaren Vale, a wine region south of Adelaide. When we were here in February the vines were laden with grapes but now on the first day of winter many were barren or retained an autumn glow from the last of the clinging leaves. Our plan was to stay in the hills above Adelaide at Hahndorf. From here it’s an easy drive down to the middle of the city. Although located on the coast, Adelaide’s tourism is not focused on the seafront.
General route we traveled between KI and Adelaide.The d’Arenberg winery is home to the Cube, a unique 5-level building with a tasting room, art gallery, cafe and private function rooms. It is filled with whimsical furnishings and decor. Original Dali sculptures are located throughout the premises.Dining at d’Arenberg’s flagship restaurant d’Arry’s Verandah is a treat. This lobster medallion with blue swimmer crab, prawn ravioli and lobster bisque was not just another pretty presentation.The ladies room at d’Arenberg is enough to make a trip to the toilet a treat.It might make you laugh, but the men’s toilet…I don’t think I could bear to aim into this guys mouth.Last of autumn lingers on Hahndorf’s main road.Settled by Prussian Lutherans in 1839, Hahndorf is the oldest surviving German settlement, retaining its distinctive architecture and artisanal food and crafts.St. Paul’s Lutheran ChurchChristmas decor is always such charming German handicrafts.The Hahndorf Inn offers typical German favourites: hocks, sausages, chops, mash, kraut and pretzels. This platter served the four of us.Tempting veggies await an Open sign.This print is dated 1919. Must be from the Spanish Flu era. Eerie, eh?The winding Torrens River bisects Adelaide and near the CBD it offers peaceful walks along its banks on each side.Beehive Corner has been the home of Haigh’s Chocolates since 1915. Haigh’s is the oldest family-owned chocolate producer in Australia.The National Wine Centre of Australia, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, is a fabulous contemporary building that features interactive displays, interesting exhibits and an education centre on the wine industry in South Australia and beyond. The open cellar (largest in the Southern Hemisphere) contains 38,000 bottles of wines from around the region.This sculptural fountain was built with five hundred precision cut pieces of 6mm thick glass in the shape of a cascading wave for Adelaide’s Bicentennial in 1988.Massive staghorns in Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens.The Ivory Curl flower is found on a native tree. It is loved by birds and bees and its nectar can be made into a drink.The Albert Bridge (c. 1879) over the River Torrens.Too pretty to eat: pates at the Adelaide Central Market.The 1964 Beatles Australian tour included a stop in Adelaide. Here at the Town Hall a reception was given and they appeared on this balcony to the delight of their adoring fans cheering in the street below.
16 thoughts on “Adelaide”
Beautiful photography Mary and love your snippet of info on each selection. I am glad you mentioned the Hahndorf German meal was served for 4 people. A lovely memory for you.
We only spent one day in Adelaide when we took the train from Melbourne to
Alice Springs, but we too were very impressed by the beauty of the Hills East of the town and very much enjoyed the Dragon boating competition on the river.
Your gorgeous photos make us want to revisit and spend more time there.
Hi Mary & Joe,
We really love your photos and the descriptions! We are getting out our maps to follow where all these wonderful places are located. Best, D&A
Hi Mary & Joe, We really love your photos and descriptions! We are getting out our maps to follow where all these wonderful places are located. Best, D&A
Hi Guys, magic pics and details as always. The spots you’ve visited certainly make you want to visit, apart from the SA racecourses I’ve spent time at?
Cheers and take care.
Tony
I’ve never been to Adelaide but would definitely go now following your beautifully presented travel log ,Joe and Mary….but then you set a high standard, and as I’ve mentioned before you should be syndicated nationally! As an aside,there’s a deep Prideaux connection in Adelaide,as apparently five brothers from England came there in the mid 1800’s and subsequently moved to other States.
16 thoughts on “Adelaide”
Beautiful photography Mary and love your snippet of info on each selection. I am glad you mentioned the Hahndorf German meal was served for 4 people. A lovely memory for you.
Kangaroo Island on our to do list.
It has been awhile since we have been in Adelaide.
Your photos are wonderful.
It’s def somewhere I would love to visit, beautiful photographs , thank you Mary.
Amazing pics and info again Mary, I’ve been to Adelaide so many times and have found out more from your blogs!
If only I can remember all this!
We only spent one day in Adelaide when we took the train from Melbourne to
Alice Springs, but we too were very impressed by the beauty of the Hills East of the town and very much enjoyed the Dragon boating competition on the river.
Your gorgeous photos make us want to revisit and spend more time there.
Wish you could come back some day.
We visited Adelaide while “down under”. We loved it there. Such a pretty and peaceful place.
Hi Mary & Joe,
We really love your photos and the descriptions! We are getting out our maps to follow where all these wonderful places are located. Best, D&A
Hi Mary & Joe, We really love your photos and descriptions! We are getting out our maps to follow where all these wonderful places are located. Best, D&A
Yes, I too found this posting very interesting. After seeing your blog and having been to SA before I feel that I didn’t see a thing.
Mary, after seeing your blog and having been to SA before I now feel that I didn’t see a thing.
Hi Guys, magic pics and details as always. The spots you’ve visited certainly make you want to visit, apart from the SA racecourses I’ve spent time at?
Cheers and take care.
Tony
Hope you are handling lockdown #6, Tony. Stay well.
I’ve never been to Adelaide but would definitely go now following your beautifully presented travel log ,Joe and Mary….but then you set a high standard, and as I’ve mentioned before you should be syndicated nationally! As an aside,there’s a deep Prideaux connection in Adelaide,as apparently five brothers from England came there in the mid 1800’s and subsequently moved to other States.
Put it on your list, Peter! We were thinking of moving there to escape more lockdowns. They are doing something right.