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Taste SA's Epicurean Way with Discovery Parks

16 Mar 2022

Australia’s best food and wine should be part and parcel of any good getaway. 

In South Australia, holidaymakers are spoiled for choice, with one of the most loved culinary adventures right on their doorstep. 

South australia best food and wine experiences clare valley satc

Stretching from McLaren Vale in the south to Clare Valley in the north, SA’s Epicurean Way is a holiday itinerary that puts your taste buds top-of-mind.

Known for its world-class cellar doors, small-batch distillers and exceptional restaurants, this gastronomic holiday includes four of Australia’s premier wine regions.

South australia best food and wine experiences epicurean way satc

The Epicurean Way is also a family-friendly food adventure, with child-friendly venues and fun experiences along its course, there's something for every taste.

Better yet, there’s a Discovery Park at just about every stop, so you can taste the best of South Australia’s food and wine while relaxing in comfort with us!

Things to Eat and Drink near Adelaide Beachfront

Start your family’s foodie holiday at Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront.

South australia best food and wine experiences adelaide beachfront semaphore jetty satc

Credit: SATC/Tommy Woods Photography

Close to the heart of historic Semaphore and just a short drive away from the famous hub of Port Adelaide, Discovery Parks - Adelaide Beachfront is a seaside retreat for the whole family.

In addition to the sand between your toes just 2 mins from your door, contemporary cafes, funky boutiques, and quaint old pubs are yours to discover.

Pirate Life Brewing has become a new local favourite, with a range of locally made and imported beers on tap, plus plenty to take away!

Open 7 days a week and with regular live entertainment on weekends, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more vibrant crowd than here.

While fun food trucks are a staple of the brewery’s Sunday Sessions, the permanent menu of bar snacks, grilled classics and eclectic creations never fail to impress.

South australia best food and wine experiences adelaide beachfront high tide cafe satc

Credit: @bygabrielle

Nearby Semaphore Road is an absolute must-do too, with a range of restaurants and cafes as diverse as the people who run them.

La Adelita Mexican Cantina is a popular Mexican eatery close to the Semaphore Jetty, with a 180-degree view of the ocean to enjoy. Not far away, High Tide Cafe has become a favourite for early morning eats and long lazy brunches, while just down the road Sweet Amber Beer + Pizza rocks wood-oven gourmet pizzas, cured meats, artisanal breads and the freshest range of craft beer and cider. 

Meanwhile, when you’re this close to the water, you can’t walk past a fish and chippy as good as SOTOS Fish and Chip Shop. Delivering that old school takeaway experience for more than a generation, SOTOS is regularly voted among South Australia’s best!

Finally, for that little bit of seaside indulgence kids love, why not try the nearby Royal Copenhagen waffle cone! We hear it's deliciously good.

Things to Eat and Drink near Hahndorf Resort

From the seaside excursion of Adelaide Beachfront, Discovery Hahndorf Resort is less than an hour's drive east through the Adelaide Hills.

South australia best food and wine experiences hahndorf resort satc

Credit: SATC 

Presenting day-trippers with the chance to immerse themselves in a different culture in Adelaide’s own backyard, Discovery Hahndorf Resort is at the heart of this historic German township and only 20 minutes by car from Adelaide’s CBD!

Take a stroll down Hahndorf’s leafy main street and enjoy galleries, boutiques, artisanal producers and traditional German fare.

Alternatively, take a drive in any direction and immerse yourself in some of the country’s best cellar doors. Craft beer lovers won’t be disappointed either, Prancing Pony Brewery is the perfect excuse for an afternoon amber delight, and is a popular spot for local musicians.

South australia best food and wine experiences hahndorf vilage satc

Credit: SATC /Adam Bruzzone

Not far from Discovery Hahndorf Resort, The Lane Vineyard is not only home to some of the prettiest vineyard views you could ask for, it’s also one of the best restaurants in the Adelaide Hills, with an award-winning menu full of the season’s freshest produce. 

South australia best food and wine experiences the lane vineyard satc

Credit: SATC/Adam Bruzzone

Hahndorf Hill is as famous for its cool-climate varietals as it is for its ChocoVino gourmet experience, where you can pair the best homemade chocolate with the very best in locally made wine.

Close by, Hahndorf Old Mill is one of those quaint old pubs serving the German classics we’ve all come to love, or if a taste of Italy is more your thing, we highly recommend Gepettos at Hahndorf  which deserves a spot on any foodie's list.

Once you’ve eaten your way through this charming town, take the kids to Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, where they can pick their own bunch for a homemade dessert.

And if that’s not earthy enough, get across to Hahndorf Farm Barn, where tractor and pony rides will have them squealing with delight!

South australia best food and wine experiences hahndorf beerenberg farm kids satc

Credit: SATC/Dan Schultz

Speaking of which, we can also recommend Udder Delights, who are passionate about making, sharing and eating cheese. Try their workshops and cheese-making courses for an afternoon of cheesy fun!

Things to Eat and Drink near Barossa Valley

Our next stop on SA’s Epicurean Way needs little introduction. Featured on wine lists around the world, the beautiful Barossa Valley is at the heart and soul of this food and wine lover's journey.

South australia best food and wine experiences barossa valley maggies farm satc

Credit: SATC/Ryan Cantwell

An easy hour and a half drive from Discovery Hahndorf Resort, Discovery Parks – Barossa Valley is your family-friendly home amongst the vineyards.

South australia best food and wine experiences barossa valley segways satc

Credit: SATC/Ryan Cantwell

We know that options for long lunches and winery visits are endless in the Barossa, so why not discover more by letting someone else do the driving?

The Wine Wagon have been organising bespoke winery tours for years and apart from knowing all the best spots in town, they’ll always get you there and back with a smile!

South australia best food and wine experiences maggie beers farmshop satc

Credit: @natty.alive

Maggie Beer’s Farmhouse is another one of those places you have to see, and is the perfect place to indulge your senses in their range of pate’s, chutney’s, cheeses and of course, wine! 

South australia best food and wine experiences maggie beers farmshop pond satc

Credit: SATC/Sven Kovac

You don’t have to make a meal of it though, a freshly roasted coffee while overlooking the pond is an outstanding excuse for a catch-up.

If you are after something slightly more substantial, the nearby Farm Eatery is where you can learn the tricks of Maggie's trade through a cooking class, gin-making experience or an impressive country-style lunch!

South australia best food and wine experiences jam factory satc

Credit: @jamfactoryau

Other food and wine destinations not to miss include the stunning Seppeltsfield Winery, where you can also indulge your family’s love of all things crafty at the Jam Factory.

A local hub for artisans and exhibitions, this popular destination has been promoting outstanding art and design for over 40 years!

South australia best food and wine experiences barossa valley hentley farm satc

Credit: SATC/ Duy Dash

Not to be forgotten, Hentley Farm is an acclaimed venue producing exceptional wine and excellence in culinary service, while Greenock is possibly one of the Barossa’s best kept secrets - a boutique brewery that's serious about the tradition of making small-batch handcrafted beer.

So much to choose from, so little time!

Things to Eat and Drink near Clare Valley

The last stop on South Australia’s Epicurean Way, Discovery Parks - Clare Valley is a relaxing drive one hour further north from Barossa Valley.

South australia best food and wine experiences clare valley hills satc

Credit: SATC/Harry Vick

In a region known for its rolling hills and crisp Riesling wines, Clare Valley offers the kind of wide open spaces and charming scenery that will have the whole family in the right frame of mind.

South australia best food and wine experiences clare valley reisling trail satc

Credit: SATC/Harry Vick

To truly experience the area, hire a bike from our reception and take a ride along the Riesling Trail. Not only can you visit the nearby wineries, the fresh country air and historic buildings will quickly transport you to another place in time. 

Boasting more than 30 cellar doors, dozens of walking trails and countless national parks, winelovers shouldn’t miss out on Sevenhill Cellars.

The first winery to be established in Clare in 1851,  grab a cheese platter, sit on the lawns and explore their underground cellar, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an ancient mansion.

South australia best food and wine experiences sevenhills cellar slates satc

Credit: @pikeswines

Pikes Wines is also first class, and their restaurant, Slates, is a tribute to the 650-million year old slate stone that is the foundation of everything they produce.

Mr. Mick’s is a great spot for lunch and you can’t get much more Clare Valley than Jim Barry Wines, which continually produce some of the most exceptional pinot's, chardonnays and sauvignon blancs in Australia.

South australia best food and wine experiences clare valley jim barry satc

Credit: @jimbarrywines

To finish off your epicurean adventure, why not consider the Watervale Hotel

One of the oldest pubs in the state at over 150 years old, there are farm tours, degustation menus, cooking classes and wine tastings that are all done to perfection at this famously historic site. 

South australia best food and wine experiences clare valley watervale hotel satc

Credit: SATC/Duy Dash

Now that you've discovered the Epicurean Way, return to Adelaide and start again - there is so much to see and do!

Until then, discover more at southaustralia.com/roadtrips. We look forward to welcoming you to a Discovery Parks soon.

BROWSE SA PARKS

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