Customised Experiences

After touring the wine regions or cultural Adelaide, the wild and mysterious outback will seem like another planet. While adventuring into the outback can be an off-the-beaten path experience, we tailor it to be accessible to all ages, families, or groups.

Here’s a look at the activities we planned for a family with kids…

• Cycling through the Flinders Ranges near Melrose. Set in South Australia’s majestic mountain country, this biking and hiking destination has scenic bike rides for all levels.
• A helicopter ride over Wilpena Pound. The family ooh’d and ahh’d during this birds-eye view over the stunning natural amphitheater in the heart of the Flinders Ranges Mountains.
• Viewing fossil evidence. They had a close-up look at some of the oldest life forms on earth.
• Spotting Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies. It’s one thing to see them in a zoo, but another to see them freely hop about in the wild.
• Interacting with Aboriginal Australian people in the Flinders Ranges. This once-in-a-lifetime experience was an opportunity to mingle with community members and learn about Aboriginal culture and heritage, firsthand.
• Refreshments at the remote Prairie Hotel. Adults enjoyed a beer. Lemonade for the kids. Relaxation time for all.
• Experienced an Aussie style outback BBQ. Immersed in the spirit and grandeur of the outback, this is an experience not to be missed. From native “damper” (the “bush bread of Australia,” i.e. flour and water), to bush meats and sausages, and much more… no one goes hungry. And if emu sausages are too “exotic” there are lots of choices for everyone.
• Mum and dad played a round of golf on the Coober Pedy. This grassless golf course is compared to golfing on the moon. The kids enjoyed a golf lesson scheduled at the same time.
• The kids met remotely with kids their own age. They also were able to join in a local school lesson as rural remote school is online.
• Visited a Merino sheep station: The visit to a traditional sheep station included making their own damper (bush bread), served with Australian “billy” tea (black tea boiled with distinctively flavored gum leaves, and cooked in a billy can).
• Stayed at the luxury Arkaba Homestead. After the daily adventures they looked forward to returning to relaxing luxury accommodations. The stay included sleeping in sleeping bags under the outback’s breathtaking night sky for one night of (safely) roughing it.

We had as much fun planning this event as the group did enjoying it. Coming up with unique gifts, planning Aussie food and wine to pair with golf, and then creating one-of-a-kind experiences at the spectacular Botanic gardens…  it was truly an event to remember!

Here are the highlights:

• In-room South Australian gifts. The guests were greeted by local touches including Haigh’s chocolates and local fresh flowers.
• Surprise theme gifts every night. Each evening, guests would return to find a different gift tied to the theme of the next experience.
• Hand-picked rooms at the resort-style Novotel hotel. The guests’ accommodations overlooked the famous Barossa Valley, offering breath-taking views.
• Golf & Aboriginal bush cuisine around the course. The party enjoyed a round of golf, and award-winning chef, Andrew Fielke’s menu served out on the scenic greens.
• Golf with area winemakers, pros, and prizes. This day’s activities were followed by an Andrew Fielke dinner at the golf clubhouse, along with a local bush band.
• Live art, music, and dinner at the Botanic Gardens & Restaurant. With a few extra flourishes, the main-event dinner at this multi-award-winning restaurant was nothing short of spectacular. Gardens outside and inside the restaurant were atmospherically illuminated by a lighting specialist. The guests dined fireside as a string quartet played in the background. And for the evening’s capstone, live models, beautifully painted as native plant life (by a celebrated local body artist), entered the ambient setting and strolled through the group.
• Wine, cricket, and ice cream at Chateau Tanunda. A visit to the oldest and most iconic winery estate in the Barossa Valley included a game of cricket with the locals and ice cream served under the marquees.
• Adelaide architecture walking tours with a national trust expert. The tours were held in small groups to allow for questions and discussions.

It was our complete pleasure to host this large, lively Italian group! We were able to keep the whole group together for several events, and create smaller group events for more intimate experiences, too. With the help of our specialised Italian guides, we all seemed to speak the same language by the end of the tour.

The event included:

• Australian themed gift baskets. Australian goodies welcomed the guests upon arrival. They received Akubra hats with the company logo, an Australian wildlife key ring, and many more local treats.
• Hand-chosen rooms, all with views. We worked with the Mayfair and Intercontinental hotels to arrange rooms with their most scenic views.
• Rooftop dining at an Adelaide restaurant. The group had a private dinner with incredible city views at a highly rated restaurant.
• Botanic Gardens Wine Event. Held in a private room at the National Wine Center, the event featured an Italian guide in a beautiful garden setting with native flowers on tables.
• Aboriginal “Bush tucker” experience in Botanic Gardens. A walk through the gardens allowed an up-close look at native plant life, plus a meeting with an Aboriginal guide.
• Penfolds Winery dinner. Food to pairings, the experience was top-notch, held in their ambient underground wine cellar.
• Small groups flew in private planes to Kangaroo Island. To experience the incredible wildlife in a more personal way, groups were kept small and spread out over the day.
• A four-wheel drive safari with an Italian speaking guide. The tour took them into bush country to view koalas and kangaroos in the wild, along with striking coastal rock formations.
• Gourmet Aussie BBQ near the coast. The whole group came together for a marquee lunch, local Island wine, and Aussie-style BBQ with fresh, local King George whiting.
• Traveled via the Ferry back to mainland, Fleurieu peninsula. Scenic views, the open water, a walk around the deck… The ferry is an enjoyable way to travel with a group.
• Dinner at two well-known wineries (in split groups): It was an evening to enjoy the local wine beautifully paired with dinner at two of the area’s established wineries, the Coriole Winery and Langhorne Creek Winery.
• Golf and shopping in break-out groups. This gave everyone their choice of activity, and interaction in smaller groups, before all meeting up again.
• Luncheon with fresh seafood overlooking the Southern Ocean. The ocean is another spectacular draw in the region. The Star of Greece restaurant in Port Willunga offers succulent area seafood, and stunning ocean views.