Apart from a state-of-the-art wine museum, Adelaide boasts five wine regions within striking distance, making it a stunning holiday destination.

If Cabernet Sauvignon is your grape of choice, head towards Coonawarra, with its brick red soils and old vines. Staying at a refurbished workers’ cottage was a fantastic perk. We toured the vineyards during the day and star gazed after dinner – the restaurant conveniently placed opposite Pickers Cottage.

If you fancy Barossa and Clare Valley why not stay off the beaten track in an old mining town, Kapunda, and enjoy the Goodall’s hospitality at Peppertrees B&B. Perfectly placed between the two regions, it’s ideal for unwinding before dinner – with even a bottle of complimentary bubbly in the fridge!

Dining at the nearby Wheatsheaf Pub is so unusual that many drive miles to experience it. As well as outstanding food and wines, there are two love shacks available for total privacy, and crayons are provided to encourage budding artists. We ended the meal by a roaring fire, doodling away on our tablecloths while sipping a perfect “sticky”.

Pickers Hut Cottage: coonawarracottages.com.au
Red Fingers Cafe Bar & Grill, Memorial Drive, Coonawarra. Tel:(08)8736 3006
The Peppertrees B&B, 47 Clare Road, Kapunda. Tel:(08)8566 2776
Wheatsheaf Pub, Allendale North, via Kapunda. Tel:(08)8566 2198

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Thorngrove Manor Hotel is a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Designed in the ecclectic Gothic inspired style of the colonists, this celebrates architectural design and creativity. It's a five minute walk to the local village set atop a hilltop. Food is all bio-dynamic and organic. Rooms are inspirational with antique gilded clocks next to LCDs and ipod docks. Small in size, but huge in experience with the closest winery and wildlife sanctuary five minutes away.

www.slh.com/thorngrove
61 08 83396748
Adelaide Airport 35-40mins
approx 20minutes from the Adelaide GPO-great touring base.

Google map: tinyurl.com/klfh2c

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Glenelg Beach is a pretty beachfront suburb, about 20 minutes from the centre of Adelaide, popular with locals who want to escape at the weekend. The golden sandy beach, quaint jetty and side-walk cafes are paired with coastal reserves, nature trails and boats off on dolphin cruises.

The Glenelg Beach Hostel is like much of Glenelg beach, modern and funky with a kitsch seaside feel. The hostel is housed in Alexander Terrace, a Victorian house that has been converted into dormitories and private rooms. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and refreshingly bunk-bed free. You also get a free breakfast served alongside brilliant beach views, and with a brand-spanking new lounge bar and beer garden (complete with DJs!), you can return home to a pint of Pale Ale after a day's sightseeing.

www.glenelgbeachhostel.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/n34oej

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A gastro-pub worthy of Islington in the middle of nowhere. The Prairie Hotel has good rooms, great outback food (kangaroo is particularly good) and its own beer. The best thing about the place are the owners and staff though. Sit watching the sunset with them and at 10-ish the mile long coal train will rattle through as well.

Probably the best hotel-experience we have had in Australia. Strongly recommended.

Parachilna on the alternative route up to Alice Springs from Adelaide.
www.prairiehotel.com.au/home.htm

Google map: tinyurl.com/mq3w9r

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This is a caravan park and recreation reserve where you can pitch a tent. For camping without the hassle and its close to the airport. Relatively inexpensive, within easy reach of the city and Glenelg the most popular tourist spot. They have cabins but who needs them when with your small tent and their fantastic kitchen, shower blocks, tv room, and the sun your set for a comfortable stay. It's right on the beach, surrounded by fencing and the restaurants and hotels of Glenelg, are a ten minute walk away. Great for families and backpackers.

www.adelaideshores.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/nxavpu

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Great value hotel. Staff came out to welcome us and collect bags as we arrived by car. Our room was large and comfortable and had a large terrace with stunning views across rooftops as the autumn sun set. Service was enthusiastic and helpful.

Hindley Street;
tel: (08) 82315552

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