11ASM Pre-Conference Activity
Self-Drive Guide
The Victor Harbor Convention centre is an easy one hour and 15 minute trip (door to door) from Adelaide Airport and you drive through some of South Australia’s great natural assets – rivers, coastlines, bush and wineries!
We’ve compiled the ultimate progressive experience to make your drive from Adelaide to 11ASM that much better.
Stop 1 - Onkaparinga River Mouth
Our first suggested location is the Onkaparinga River Mouth and estuary where OzFish have been building fish habitat and improving riparian conditions.
Access via Onkaparinga River Mouth Viewpoint where you’ll find signs and information boards describing the works completed onsite.
How to get there: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MuroE6sFFpyjKoQi7
Stop 2 - Visit McLaren Vale Wineries
The McLaren Vale Wineries are a gem and the region is home to world-class wines. Best known for producing red wine varieties such as shiraz and premium grenache, you’ll also find Spanish and Italian varieties such as fiano, vermentino, tempranillo and sangiovese. Whether it’s a day trip or a weekend away, with over 80 cellar doors to choose from, prepare your palate and sip your way through McLaren Vale wineries with our guide to the best cellar doors. Make sure you have a designated driver when visiting wineries!
Suggested Wineries:
Olivers Taranga is a family-owned winery that produce small batch, handcrafted McLaren Vale wines that speak of both the variety and vintage, capturing a time and place, while continuing to document the family’s ongoing 185 year relationship with the land. Six generations after the winery started, it is still owned and run by the Oliver’s Taranga family – cousins Corrina Wright, Brioni Oliver and Sam Oliver. Corrina is the winemaker and is a powerhouse in the wine industry – having been recognised as one of Australia’s leading winemakers.
As its Aboriginal name infers, Wirra Wirra is nestled “among the gums” in McLaren Vale, South Australia - a picturesque ironstone winery with over 100 years of history. From the call of the towering Angelus bell atop the winery, to the massive timber fence known as “Woodhenge”, Wirra Wirra offers a unique and memorable winery experience. Best known for its famous red Church Block blend, winemaker Paul Smith and his team deliver rich, textured McLaren Vale reds and stunning cool climate whites from the Adelaide Hills. Wirra Wirra is also home to Harry's Deli, a providore-style café mixing exceptional wine with a selection of delicious light meals.
Known for their organic and biodynamic farmed wines, Gemtree’s tasting room is purpose built using recycled materials, powered by solar panels and uses only rainwater. Relax on the deck and immerse yourself in a personalised guided tasting experience as you take in the stunning views of the vineyards and out to the sea. Experience the beautiful natural bush land of McLaren Vale and pick up a local produce picnic pack and bottle of McLaren Vale wine from the tasting room to enjoy within the Gemtree Eco Trail.
Suggested Lunch Options
If you want a delicious lunch on your way down, consider booking at one of these places:
The Salopian Inn – great food and wine in a beautiful heritage building
Harry’s Deli at Wirra Wirra
Darry’s Verandah at D’Arenberg
The Currant Shed
Stop 3 - Stretch your legs for a walk along Hindmarsh River or Inman Creek
HUGH HAMILTON WINES – THE HOME OF THE BLACK SHEEP (right next to Wirra Wirra)
Hugh Hamilton Wines is Australia’s oldest wine family, known for exceptional wines, unforgettable experiences, and an indomitable pioneering spirit. Hugh Hamilton and his daughter Mary Hamilton are the 5th and 6th generation of the Australian Hamilton wine dynasty that stretches back over 185 years. Our rascals, ratbags, drama queens and many other characters are all bottled up in some of Australia’s finest wines. This is a place where we take the wine seriously but not ourselves. It’s about living a quality lifestyle and having fun.
FOX CREEK WINES (just round the corner from Hugh Hamilton)
Fox Creek Wines is an iconic, award winning winery located in McLaren Vale, South Australia, with a rich heritage in crafting fine regional wines since 1994. Early in 2021 Fox Creek Wines was purchased by long-time friends and industry colleagues, Ben Gibson, Jock Harvey and Dim Georgiadis. They share a passion for the local community, which will sit foremost at the heart of the Fox Creek Wines philosophy; and they look forward to embarking on what will be an exciting new chapter for Fox Creek Wines.
D'Arenberg combine wine and art at The Cube so if that’s your thing check that out!
Further down the road are the Currency Creek wineries which include some wonderful options such as
o One Paddock Currency Creek Winery
o Shaw Family Vintners
Closer in as you arrive in Victor Harbor (spelling is correct) you might want to stretch your legs on some walks along the lower reaches of the local streams:
Hindmarsh River
Inman River
Check out the link below for suggestions of walks:
https://visitvictorharbor.com/things-to-do/walking-trails-and-biking-trails/#
www.victor.sa.gov.au/council-activities/environment-and-public-health/walking-trails-and-bike-paths
