South Australia Self Drive Culinary Safari

The signature touring experience for seasoned food and wine travellers is a day of private introductions to the boutique winemakers of the Barossa and Eden Valleys. And as we have great relationships with local producers, we are happy to share these with you.

Whether it be a one-on-one masterclass, a private lunch and tasting with an artisan winemaker or a vineyard walk followed by a chat in front of a fire in a winemaker’s barn, we can make these authentic wine experiences happen for you.

The Barossa is home to over 80 cellar doors and over 50 small producers who are not open to the public, allow us to introduce you to these hidden gems, up-and-comings and uber-small garagistes. Whatever your interest, we can tailor make a day of touring to suit your palate.

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It’s no secret that most visitors to South Australia’s Barossa Valley have come for a world-class food and wine experience. The global reputation of the Barossa’s iconic wines is undisputed, and fine dining venues such as Appellation, provide guests access to fresh local cuisine paired with the region’s outstanding wines. Lesser known, the Barossa is home to a large conservation park abundant with native Australian flora and fauna. The Louise has developed a unique experience that offers guests access to one of the simple pleasures of visiting regional Australia, seeing kangaroos up close in their natural habitat.

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Be a winemaker by day and a gourmand by night…

In concert with a premium winery nearby The Louise guests are welcomed into the winemaker’s laboratory for a hands-on tutorial on the art and science of blending grape varietals. As part of this, you will experiment with several trial blends of barrel sample shiraz, grenache and mourvedre before choosing a final blend that is bottled for you to take home.

Appellation has developed a memorable way to complete this experience. Allow our chefs to develop a dish to your wine, served as an additional course to your table at dinner that evening.

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The food and wine experience that the Barossa offers is arguably its greatest drawcard and often the highlight of a visit to this magnificent region. It is epitomised by the smells of harvest and vintage, the seductive bouquet of wine aging gracefully in barrels as you enter its many wineries and cellar doors and in the bounty that is to be found at specialist providores, the weekly farmer’s market and on Barossa tables year-round.

Our producers and suppliers are the key to our food guaranteeing the freshness and seasonality that underpins the daily changing menu at Appellation. We know the people who grow the vegetables, breed the ducks and make the cheese, in fact over 85% of Appellation’s produce is sourced from an extensive network of Barossa and South Australian suppliers.

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Only minutes from The Louise located on historic Seppeltsfield road is one of the Barossa Valley’s most revered sites, a treasure of hidden gems in the form of fortified wines and ports, painstakingly cared for for over 160 years.

Enjoy the ultimate foresight of Benno Seppelt when you tour the Seppeltsfield Estate. Start in the original 1851 family Homestead, learn about the Seppelt family from their immigration, settlement by the Para river, to today. Take a stroll through the Elm Walkway to the barrel cellar, distillery, underground blending cellar and the quaint Joseph’s Room. Finish with a private tasting in the trophy cellar focussing on the “Paramount Collection” and the 100 year old Para Vintage Tawny.

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Rolling Through The Ranges Flagship Experience

Two Hands welcomes you on a Vineyard Experience like no other; to invite you to enjoy a personalised experience of tasting their acclaimed Single Vineyard wines in the exact vineyards from which they were produced. Travel through the Western ranges of the Barossa Valley and visit five of their most exceptional vineyard sites.

Your guide will pick you up from The Louise and drive you to nearby Two Hands Cellar Door, slip on a pair of South Australia’s own Rossi Boots, and arm with map, then you’ll jump into their luxury Land Rover Defenders with your host for a short drive to the Windmill Block in the sub-region of Stonewell.

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This half day experience is a spectacular introduction to Kangaroo Island’s wildlife, maritime heritage and stunning coastal landscapes and takes full advantage of the Lodge’s unique location. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a fur seal colony are just some of the trip highlights. Wander amongst the rare Cape Barren Geese and search the leafy eucalypts for a sleepy koala.

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Seal Bay is home to Australia’s third largest colony of Australian sea lions. Join our naturalist guide on the shores of the Southern Ocean for an exclusive tour on the beach with these wild animals. Learn about their unique breeding cycle and the ongoing research programs implemented on site. It’s just one of the many privileges of Kangaroo Island.

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Take a scenic walk starting right on the Lodge’s doorstep atop the limestone cliffs of Hanson Bay. This easy walk affords a bird’s eye view of thundering waves crashing along the coastline. Stand on top of the cliff with the wind blowing, look out to sea and realise there is nothing but ocean between here and Antarctica. Experience and learn about local flora, fauna and coastline ecosystems.
Tip: A photographer’s dream!

Discover the intriguing natural heritage of this wild island in the Baudin Lounge. This informative visual presentation hosted by resident naturalist staff provides insight into the Island’s discovery and natural history and gives an overview of its many spectacular attractions.

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Soak up the history of the early island settlers at Grassdale, a historic island property reached by a short drive from the Lodge and where local wildlife including kangaroos and wallabies congregate to graze. Observe these creatures in their natural environment, sip premium South Australian beverages and enjoy a ‘Kanapé’ whilst the sun goes down on another magical day.

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Departing from the Lodge, this fun, interpretive quad bike adventure tour heads into the neighbouring natural bushland at Hanson Bay Sanctuary. ‘In-helmet’ commentary is provided by a Southern Ocean Lodge naturalist guide leading the expedition, providing an insight to the local wildlife and landscape seen along the way. The Sanctuary is home to kangaroos, koalas, possums, wallabies, echidnas, goannas and birdlife in abundance, so bring a camera and sense of adventure. This adventure is available to guests 16 years and over. Additional cost applies.

Take a kayak from the Lodge and glide with a guide along the calm and meandering waters on the South West River, beginning at nearby Hanson Bay. Enjoy the scenery and a variety of birdlife, flora and fauna that inhabit this diverse ecosystem.

Additional cost applies.

Beachcombe to a nearby secluded beach, reel and tackle in hand. Cast off and enjoy some peaceful solitude whilst dolphins crest the waves in welcome. Return to the Lodge where the chef will transform fresh catches into an epicurean delight for lunch or dinner. The beaches and coves are also a great spot for an early morning or afternoon walk.

Additional cost applies.

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A visit to Hanson Bay Sanctuary to discover a world that comes alive while you are asleep. Spot the local koalas at their most active, encounter kangaroos, wallabies and possums up close whilst searching for other wildlife such as owls, bats and echidnas. A fun and educational discovery walk.

Additional cost applies.

Explore the back country of Kelly Hill Conservation Park through the historic Grassdale property and onto Hanson Bay Beach. A fascinating variety of vegetation types from eucalypt woodlands through mallee and coastal heath can be experienced on this medium grade walk. The views over Grassdale lagoons also provide the opportunity for sighting water birds and the meandering trail hosts a number of terrestrial orchids and wildflowers.

Additional cost applies for guided walks.

The untouched wilderness of Kangaroo Island provides inspiration for artists working across an amazing range of mediums. This half day tour follows a journey that takes in both the Rustic Blue and Kangaroo Fine Art Gallery. Learn the stories and see the works of renowned artists including Janine Mackintosh, ceramist Mark Capon and Indiana James with his incredible sculptures created from recycled and found objects.

Additional cost applies.

Perfect for those with a keen interest in food and wine, and its journey from paddock to plate: a short one at Southern Ocean Lodge! This half day tour takes in some of Kangaroo Island’s finest producers, whose products are each showcased on the menu; sample wines at Two Wheeler Creek Vineyard, view freshwater crayfish at the adjacent Andermel Marron Farm, see the sheep milking and taste heavenly haloumi at Island Pure Sheep Dairy and meet the Ligurian bees and their precious honey at Island Beehive.

Additional cost applies.