The Best things to do in McLaren Vale & the Fleurieu Peninsula – Winter 25

What are the Best Things to do in McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu this Winter? Check out a few of our favourites in this guide, including some new places to eat, drink and stay.

To Perk Up – Found Coffee House

Do you love a little vintage with your morning coffee? Well newcomer Found Coffee House in the seaside Fleurieu town of Victor Harbor has just what you need. Delicious specialty coffee and teas, tasty homemade bagels, yummy cakes and treats, soups, even fresh and healthy bento boxes for the kids. And in the other rooms, you can explore vintage in all its forms: furniture, homewares and some very cool clothes. You could walk out with plenty more than a full tummy at this place, lots of people have! So make some time for Found on your next trip to the Fleurieu.
— 10 Railway Tce, Victor Harbor
— @found.au

To Do – Southern Ocean Walk

We talk a lot about the amazing beaches on the Fleurieu coast, of which there are many, however the rugged coastline is equally as spectacular. And one way to explore this impressive natural beauty is with a hike. Thankfully, the team at Southern Ocean Walk know just where to take you to experience a guided walk to remember. Choose from several multi-day hiking itineraries, including Deep Creek National Park, the Heysen Trail, and panoramic views out to Kangaroo Island. Each night guests return to the lovely homestead at Deep Creek, surrounded by local fauna & flora, enjoying a glass of wine and a gourmet dinner, just what you need after a long walk. So get some friends together to experience the stunning natural landscapes of the Fleurieu Peninsula whilst still indulging in delicious local produce.
— southernoceanwalk.com.au

To Experience – Illuminate Adelaide

Winter can be a tough time to get out and about, but thankfully that is about to be so much easier with Illuminate Adelaide. Not on the Fleurieu, but certainly worth making time for, ‘South Australia’s brightest winter event’ has lots of see and do. Explore the Botanic Gardens at Night Visions, filled with cutting-edge light, lasers, projections and sound making the gardens feel truly other worldly, an OTT favourite! Take the whole family to the massive drone light show, or head to the Adelaide Zoo with dinosaurs that come to life, or just stroll around the city lights dotted around Adelaide CBD. Plus there is so many delicious food and wine options to keep you warm and sated!
— illuminateadelaide.com

To Eat – Hays Street Kitchen & Bar

Only 40 minutes from McLaren Vale, Goolwa is a great place to explore on the Fleurieu with great history, cute shops and lovely beaches. And if you’re looking for somewhere to indulge in a flavour packed menu of freshly sourced local produce, in a seriously cosy location, then Hays St Kitchen & Bar is also worth a stop. Owner Daniel Cahill and his team love producing a menu matched to the seasons, so you can expect a menu that changes and evolves with ingredients at their peak. Expect tasty snacks, great local seafood dishes, classic mains, alongside slow cooked meats, tasty sides, and mouth watering desserts. All with local wines and cocktail options to make your meal there full of indulgence. And every Friday afternoon from 3-5:30pm is Golden Hour with drinks specials, oysters and fried chicken to start the weekend.
— 7 Hays Street, Goolwa
— @haysstbarandkitchen

To Stay – Nest & Nature

The amount of seriously luxurious and innovative accommodation options in the Fleurieu is really exciting!
One of those options is Nest & Nature, located in Inman Valley, about half an hour from McLaren Vale, with views right across to the ocean. With two luxury couple’s retreats Nest & Mist, you have all the amenities for a cosy winter escape, including a well equipped kitchen, a wood fired heater, as well as huge windows to take in the view. Though the absolute highlight is the sunken bath where you can soak the time away looking out to the clear skies or at night under the stars. Or if your taste runs more to glamping, then you may prefer their Eagle’s View experience, perched on top of the ridge to make the most of its impressive location. Perfectly fit out, also with its own wood fired heater to make it winter appropriate. Nest & Nature certainly offer up the best of both worlds, enjoying nature but with all the creature comforts to restore the soul and truly unwind!
— nestandnature.com.au

And don’t forget to BOOK YOUR SPOT at Oliver’s Taranga while you’re down here enjoying the best the Fleurieu has to offer!

OTT CLUB WEEKENDS

We are very excited for the 2025 OTT Club Weekends! The Oliver’s Taranga Cellar Door will close for two consecutive weekends in August, to reserve the space exclusively for our OTT Club members. All four days will feature exclusive wines, tastings, gifts, food, music, merch as well as the whole OT team on hand to make our members feel extra special. If you’re not part of the OTT Club yet, now is a good time to SIGN UP.

WHEN 9-10 & 17-18 August 2025
NOTE: Afternoon sessions booked out
WHERE 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
COST Complimentary for OTT
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings

Grenache & Gourmet X Porchetta Party – 21 September 2025

Grenache & Gourmet X Porchetta Party brings together two of McLaren Vale’s best… not one, not two, but three different styles of Grenache, alongside four delicious courses of amazing food, culminating in the slow roasted, crispy, Italian style Porchetta prepared by local chef Todd Steele. If you love Grenache, then this is the lunch to indulge your passion, and bring your friends along to show them the way!

WHEN 12pm, Sunday 21st September, 2025
WHERE 246 Seaview Rd, McLaren Vale
COST $150pp (all dietaries catered for)
BOOK oliverstaranga.com/bookings

OTT Tunes Playlist – Winter 2025

Our Cellar Door host Lee has tapped into winter vibes to create a playlist that’s a bit moody, a great mix of music to be enjoyed on a miserable day with a glass of Brioni’s Blend, encouraged with doggy cuddles for extra comfort.

DOWNLOAD ON SPOTIFY