South Australia Famil - Hannah Dodge
Thursday 24 February 2011
 Hilton Adelaide Hotel
The Hilton Adelaide is situated in the heart of Adelaide, just 15 minutes from Adelaide Airport. The hotel offers 380 rooms including Guest, Deluxe and Executive Rooms, as well as spacious Suites. The Brasserie is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for guests to experience some seriously fantastic South Australian food. We were lucky enough to enjoy a buffet lunch at the Hilton. The menu included fresh seafood, salads, cheeses and cakes. The hotel also has a bar called Charlie’s Bar which has a relaxed atmosphere with sporting memorabilia and is open Tuesday through to Sunday.
Bracegirdles McLaren Vale (House of Fine Chocolates)
Apart from the great chocolate, Bracegirdles in McLaren Vale also offer a range of coffee and wines. You are able to enjoy the food sitting inside on the lounges or sit and relax on the grass outside. Free wine tasting is also on offer.
Kangaroo Island Sealink
The main transportation from mainland South Australia to Kangaroo Island is the Kangaroo Island Sealink. The ferry leaves from Port Jervis and takes approximately 45 minutes to arrive at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Sealink operates two large, fast and comfortable catamaran ferries which give the option of either travelling with your car or without. Both ferries feature licensed cafes, seating inside and outside, TV monitors and a dolphin-viewing deck. The service operates an average four times per day. The cost for an adult return trip is $88.00 and an additional cost if you wish to take your car. The alternative transportation over to Kangaroo Island is a 20 minute Rex flight which departs Adelaide Airport daily.
Aurora Ozone Hotel - Overnight stay
The Aurora Ozone Hotel is situated on the foreshore at Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. Kingscote is approximately 45 minutes from Penneshaw and is the commercial and business hub of the Island. The hotel is a mix of old fashioned decor, as well as a new section which offers vibrant and modern style accommodation. The dinner menu at the in house restaurant - Ozone Bistro consisted of a range of local produce and seafood which you can enjoy whilst taking in the views over the bay.
Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre
The Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre allows visitors to get up and close to the penguins and learn more about the birds, as well as incorporating an introduction in the aquarium which showcases many local species of fish. The business is family run therefore the staff ensure you get the most out of your experience. The centre closes for 3 weeks in February due to the penguins being out at sea feeding. The penguins were only just starting to come back to shore so we only got to see 2 penguins on the night that we took this tour.
Friday 25 February
Kangaroo Island Odysseys
 Today we spent the day touring Kangaroo Island with Kangaroo Island Odysseys. Kangaroo Island Odysseys offer personalised 4-wheel drive nature and wildlife touring, small group tours and private charters. Our tour guides for the day were very enthusiastic and had alot of knowledge about Kangaroo Island, which ensured that we got the most out of the day. We visited the Seal Bay Conservation Park which everyone seemed to enjoy. It was great to get up and close to the seals resting with their young along the beach. The seal bay conservation park is the island’s most popular attraction. We also got to see the Remarkable Rocks, which is an impressive geological feature, as well as Admirals Arch. Admirals Arch is another of nature’s wild sculptures, where many fur seals can be seen frolicking in the waters below.
Southern Ocean Lodge - Site Inspection
The Southern Ocean Lodge is a luxurious lodge which offers a unique and exclusive experience. The lodge consists of 21 suites which all have fantastic views of the coastline. The lead in room is $900 per night, per person. This includes all food and alcohol. The lodge managers, Ben & Louise were very welcoming and after this visit, it is definitely on my ‘must do’ list.
Crowne Plaza Adelaide
The Crowne Plaza is a relatively new, contemporary hotel in the heart of Adelaide. You can enjoy al fresco dining in the Redsalt Restaurant and Bar or relax in the pool, sauna and spa. Spacious, modern rooms.
Saturday 26 February
Adelaide’s Top Food & Wine Tours
The tour of the central markets was definitely a great experience for everyone. We were taken around the top stalls and given a brief history of the families working in these stalls, before having a taste of all the wonderful local produce including fresh fruit, salami, yoghurt and nuts. The tour usually includes breakfast and a full tour of the market but we were limited to an hour due to a tight schedule. It would have been great to experience the full tour.
Haigh’s Chocolates
Learn how chocolate is made from raw cocoa beans, view the quality chocolates in the making and also enjoy a taste or two! Haigh’s Chocolate Visitor Centre is located 5 minutes drive from Adelaide’s city centre. The visitor centre offers free guided tours of approximately 20 minutes, which are conducted Monday - Sunday at 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Bookings are essential. At the end of the tour you are invited to try and buy in the retail store.
Hahndorf
We spent an afternoon in the little town of Hahndorf, which is located in Adelaide Hills, approximately 20 minutes from Adelaide CDB. Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Lunch was served at The Haus @ Hahndorf. The Haus @ Hahndorf offers full a la carte dining 7 days a week, with great service. It is fabulously designed, with a mix of old and new. The Haus holds an extensive wine cellar and the freshest local produce. We also experienced a structured cheese tasting at Udder Delights Cheese Cellar. We were taken downstairs into a room which was set up with many cheeses to try, whilst learning about the history of the business from the very interesting and educational owner, Sheree Sullivan.
The Manna of Hahndorf - Site Inspection
The Manna of Hahndorf offers 51 stylish motel rooms including superior, executive and indulgence spa suites. The Manna is set back off the main street of Hahndorf and offers all the facilities of a city hotel, in a relaxing regional setting. Each room is set out differently, with unique furnishing and colour scheme in each room. The room rates are very reasonable for the standard of facilities you will receive. The standard rate for a superior room starts from just $150 per night.
1918 Bistro & Grill
 1918 is located in Tanunda. It is a small town house which has been transformed into a lovely restaurant, serving great food and wine for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Barossa Weintal Resort
Our night in the Barossa saw us all split into 3 groups and stay at 3 different venues due to everywhere being booked out. I was one of the unlucky ones who stayed at the Barossa Weintal Resort. It was very basic, with a cramped bathroom and pungent rooms. I would not recommend this resort. The other 2 groups stayed overnight at Moorooroo Park and Abbotsford Country House. These two properties were very much the opposite to our property. They were very well looked after, beautiful gardens, welcoming staff and spacious rooms.
Sunday 27 February
Penfold’s Winery
Penfold’s Winery offer an excellent experience called ‘Make Your Own Blend’ where you can be a winemaker for a day. It is the first of it’s kind in the Barossa. You can blend your own personal taste and take home your own bottle with your name printed on the label.
Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre
 We were fortunate enough to experience a taste of the fantastic food and wine on offer at Jacob’s Creek. The visitor centre is very modern, with a tasting bar, as well as a restaurant area to the side.
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