6 Luxe-As-Hell Getaways Near Adelaide That Are High On Romance & Low On Travel Time

kangaroo island

To state the obvious, a lot of plans have changed over the last year. Between cancelled holidays, long stretches of time spent away from family, and seemingly no end in sight, it’s been tough, to say the least. But it’s finally time to get out there and explore a bit more of our own backyard.

If you’re yet to get up close and personal with South Australia, pull up a seat because we’re about to inspire you to bump it up your travel list. We like to think of South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, as a boutique city. It has everything you want and need in a city break — great restaurants, bustling bars (and beach bars, too), and it’s in close proximity to what are, just quietly, some of the best wineries and cellar doors in the country. Sold? Great.

In even better news, there are plenty of regional stays only a short drive outside the Adelaide CBD, so you can fly in and explore from there. You can spend a few days trotting around Adelaide, then book one or two nights just outside the city to up the romance and roll a quiet couple of days into your city break. It’ll be the cherry on top of an already beautiful trip.

Once you’re done here, check out our site that’s entirely dedicated to the Adelaide Guarantee. That means it’ll help you plan your trip (and tell you exactly where to eat and drink when you get there), plus, your money will be refunded should the border situation suddenly change.

Hit the coast for a romantic break

South Australia is full of picturesque locations where charming country homes are dotted along the coastline. There are plenty of options super close to Adelaide’s CBD. My Sister & the Sea is a gorge 1950s Swedish cottage in Marion Bay on the Yorke Peninsula (roughly three hours outside Adelaide), and it’s all of our interior dreams come true. The nearby Bayside Glamping is also a great option for an intimate stay for two people.

For something a little closer to Adelaide, Port Willunga Beach is (there’s no other word for it) breathtaking and well worth the 15-minute drive from McLaren Vale, or 45 minutes from the CBD.

Eat your way around the Adelaide Hills

You’d be forgiven for thinking all the Adelaide Hills has to offer is some of the best drops in the country, but where there’s good wine, good food always comes along, too. So, it’s only right to sample (read: scoff) the local goods while you’re travelling around the region.

First, book a couple of nights at Ode to the Orchard: a cosy cottage set up in the hills overlooking 16 acres of bushland, complete with a boujee (and completely private) outdoor tub. Up the ante by booking a day bed at Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door to spend a day sipping their wines and soaking up some sun.

As for where to eat: Villetta Porcini is one of the most gorgeous restaurants we’ve seen, but it’s open seasonally so be sure to email for opening times and availability before visiting. Lost in a Forest is a converted church building serving wood-fire pizza, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard is a boutique, family-run winery only 35 minutes drive from the CBD, and Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant overlooks the sprawling hills surrounding the Mount Lofty House Estate.

Stay in a tiny CABN in the Fleurieu Peninsula

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South Australia is home to four tiny CABNs and each one is as beautiful as the last. They all tend to book out quickly and months in advance, so a little bit of prior planning is crucial here. But it can be done!

Each CABN is no more than an hour drive from the Adelaide CBD (meaning they’re in and around the Adelaide Hills or McLaren Vale in the Fleurieu Peninsula region), located in secluded forest or vineyard settings, with some also a short drive from the beach. Despite their close proximity to the city, they’re off the grid and self-contained, and therefore perfect for a romantic short stay. If you can’t nab a booking at one of the CABNs, Hotel California Road at Inkwell Wines is a gorgeous alternative, with three luxe vineyard suites.

Visit the home of regional eats in the Barossa

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Most of you will know the Barossa as one of Australia’s best wine regions, with more than 150 wineries and cellar doors and its fair share of top-notch restaurants. Just one hour outside Adelaide’s CBD, the Barossa is ideal for a day trip or night away. A couple of must-hit wineries and cellar doors are St Hugo, Two Hands, or Stein’s Taphouse if you’re ready to switch to craft beer.

We also *highly* recommend you continue the theme of treating yourself by heading to Fino for a fine dining experience that’s all about regional ingredients and a local-only ethos. Casa Carboni is a must for cooking classes and an Italian menu that changes daily, according to the ingredients available from the market that day. If you want a true farm-to-table experience, then Hentley Farm is the one.

Of course, the region is known for its fresher-than-fresh produce (just ask local resident and national treasure, Maggie Beer), so a trip to the Barossa Farmers Market is (you guessed it) also a must.

Spend a night floating on the Murray River

A little over an hour’s drive outside the Adelaide CBD, you can spend a couple of days on the water, floating on the Murray River. In winter, you’ll wake to a misty morning over the river and in the summer, you’ll be dipping into the water before breakfast. The Cube and Bill’s Boathouse are both fab options. The boathouses are permanently moored on the Murray, are well-appointed, and completely self-catering so you can also cook while you’re there (if you choose to).

Visit one of South Australia’s beautiful islands

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It would be wrong of us to recommend a romantic break in South Australia without mentioning the islands off the coast from Adelaide which are, frankly, too pretty. Kangaroo Island is a wildlife haven and Stowaway KI is one of the most stunning and romantic hotels available. Its boutique rooms feature hot tubs and saunas and offer complete isolation. If you get out and explore the island (as you should), Dudley Wines cellar door has one of the most breathtaking views we’ve seen.

Alternatively, Troubridge Island on the Yorke Peninsula can be booked out if you have the cash and love a bit of privacy. Yep, we saved the extra private island for last — but you deserve it.

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