Adelaide is the kind of place that wins you over with quiet confidence. One minute, you’re sipping an espresso on a cobbled inner-city laneway; the next, you’re winding through vineyard-lined hills with a glass of Shiraz in hand. If ever there was a city that mastered the art of the luxe getaway, it’s this one—the perfect blend of cosmopolitan comfort and rural charm.
Although I’d visited Adelaide several times before with friends, I was lucky enough to recently carve out some time and a bit of holiday romance with my partner to rediscover the allure of this cathedral city and the rolling Adelaide Hills.
Soaking in panoramic views on a crisp October evening while lying in my outdoor bathtub at our secluded lodge (more on this below), I wondered why on earth we hadn’t come here together sooner!
The Country: Where luxury meets nature
DAY #1
If some relaxation is needed, pick up a rental car from Adelaide airport and head straight to the countryside to explore. There are a few regions to choose from, but I’d suggest keeping them close together, especially if you’re time-poor like we were.
We decided to stay south of the city, bypassing McLaren Vale, to get to the Southern Fleurieu, which has easy access to the famous coastal towns like Port Elliot and Middleton, not to mention the insane views. This area is also only a one hour and 15 minute drive from the airport, but if you need a snack, stop by Lost Phoenix Farm for lunch. The food, service, and location are great, and you can pick up a selection of locally-made wine, cocktails, and beer to take with you. We made sure we grabbed some supplies for our dinner that night, as we were staying rurally.
With a very full stomach, we drove another 20 minutes to our accommodation at the luxurious Nest and Nature nestled in the Inman Valley, a region that felt like a countryside postcard come to life.
The property, which has three cabins, is marketed as an ‘off-grid immersion where nature is the star’, and they weren’t exaggerating! Ours was the ‘Mist’ suite with an outdoor bath and fire pit—literally my dream come true. Centrally located in the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula, this is a hilltop, peaceful, and private base to enjoy sunsets, relax, explore bushwalking trails, recharge, and most importantly, reconnect.
They even offer in-house services for massages, facials, and yoga if you’d like it—we opted for a couple’s yoga session with Candice from Pause Inhouse Wellbeing as soon as we arrived. It was the perfect way to wind down after a long day of travel.
DAY #2
After breakfast at our accommodation, we drove to the idyllic seaside town of Port Elliot for a coffee, then on to Middleton.
I hadn’t ridden a bike in years, but we were recommended a hiring company called Surf & Sun to collect bikes to cycle the Encounter Bikeway trail. The Bikeway is an on-road and shared trail that links the coastal city of Victor Harbor and the river port town of Goolwa, via the coastal towns of Port Elliot and Middleton.
The total distance of the bikeway is 30 km. However, a range of riding distances is available (we did 8km each way), making it suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, I promise.
For lunch and a very well-deserved cold beer, we loved Kuti Shack. Nestled amongst the sandhills of Goolwa Beach, this restaurant has a homely feel and has delicious seafood and Pipi dishes with local indigenous ingredients.
After returning your bikes, you can either grab some dinner provisions to enjoy back at your accommodation like we did, or head to The Bluff lookout for a stunning sunset and grab some fish and chips on the way.
DAY #3
After a late check-out, we said goodbye to our king-sized bed and panoramic views to head back towards the city.
If you have time, I strongly suggest stopping in at the Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills for a Handpicked Masterclass to discover how their biodynamic herb processes work. You’ll learn about the history of the natural skincare brand, step into their stunning working fields and fill your basket with fresh botanicals. Our journey concluded in the drying room to lay out our collection of botanicals for use in future Jurlique products. Then we left the farm store after making our own personal oil blend.
Afterwards, take a drive through various winding vineyards and charming historic villages like Hahndorf, and if you’re peckish, definitely make a stop at The Lane Vineyard. We indulged in the most incredible, long, lazy lunch. A chef-curated tasting menu paired with estate wines was the pinnacle of decadence, and the views of lush green valley’s only heightened our experience.
That afternoon we arrived in the city and checked into the Vibe Hotel, which I instantly loved. Set amongst the vibrant streets of Adelaide’s East End, this new hotel is just moments away from the best of the city’s urban dining and cultural scene, which is perfect for accessibility.
For the evening, we walked to the Adelaide Botanic Garden for Chihuly Nights, Adelaide’s newest sculpture exhibition of celebrated contemporary glass artists. A must-see, these artworks will be on view through the Australian spring, summer, and autumn from September 2024 to April 2025. We capped off the night with cocktails at some of the best hotspots in town down Hindley, Peel, and Leigh Street.
The City: Sophistication Without Stress
DAY #4
After a full breakfast at Vibe (which was included in our very affordable room), and a swim in the pool, we set off on our last morning to explore the CBD.
Adelaide’s city centre, known as the “20-minute city,” will immediately win you over with its effortless accessibility. For a bit of fun and to speed things up, we hired Lime Scooters to zip around on; otherwise, you can easily catch public transport like the tram or walk around the city’s grid-like structure.
For a touch of indulgence, our first stop was the famous Rundle Mall. From boutique finds to international designers, Adelaide’s shopping scene caters to every taste—even my partners’, who usually despises aimless shopping. But the real highlight was the food. At Peel Street, tucked away in one of the city’s laneways, we discovered an eclectic dining hub and food markets galore.
After scootering back to officially check out of our hotel, it was already midday and time to head straight for our flight home to Sydney.
A perfect four days in stunning South Australia.
*With thanks to Tourism South Australia and Budget Rent A Car for making this trip possible.
