Fleurieu Peninsula’s rolling green hillsides and vineyards, just 50-80kms south of Adelaide, are a natural idyll bound by a snaking coastline of craggy clifftops, secluded beaches and the winding Murray River. The region’s Mediterranean climate and food heritage also make it a natural foodie destination. Photo: Kane Overall

In McLaren Vale wine country, family vineyards are lined with olive trees and 60 cellar doors showcase the region’s Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Road trippers can visit historic townships, sample regional produce and dine at dusk by the sea. From elegant degustation dining at cellar doors to the simple pleasures of freshly caught Blue Swimmer Crab, which many locals grew up catching as kids, the Fleurieu Peninsula isn’t just a playground – it’s a platter. Photo: Ben Goode

Savour winemaker Ben Glaezter’s opulent, plummy G.A.M. Shiraz amongst the Industrial modernist cool of Mitolo Winery’s newly created $3 million tasting room at Wolf Osteria restaurant, a haven of corrugated, inky black metal and wooden, boxy nooks. Rustic cuisine celebrates the peninsula’s orchard-to-ocean topography,with glorious surf and turf ingredients: hearth grilled lamb tomahawks rib eye chop and local rock lobster. Blue swimmer crab is reimagined as the ultimate SA Italian summer dish: Spaghettini, oozing with wolf butter and ripe tomatoes. Photo: Jonathan van der Knapp

On the approach, this giant cube appears bold and shimmering against the sky – eccentric, geometric fantasy architecture that rises from hills criss crossed with vineyards. There are five distinct zones, including a 360-degree view video room, a cafe serving gourmet sandwich melts and oysters, and the irreverent cultural experience of the Alternate Realities Museum. You can also, oh so gently, alter reality with one of D’Arenberg’s basket-pressed reds. Food, art and wine come together, beautifully wrapped in a box.

Spring travelers to SA can roll out the picnic rug at this beloved Spring festival, celebrating music and wine. Revellers dance barefoot in the shade of gumtrees on family owned vineyards at Lake Breeze Wines. Gourmet vegetarian hampers for two can be ordered in advance for lawn picnics – or visitors lose themselves in the oasis of SA food trucks while tapping their toe to live musicians such as folk singer-songwriter Vera Blue. The Cocktail Forest is a magical, midsummer night’s dream of a bar, the perfect place to get to know Lake Breeze’s light Moscato or silky, plummy SA Cabernet Sauvignon. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Beachfront jetties are South Australian icons, a familiar silhouette alongside the coastline and a community hub for fishing or strolling in the ionised, ocean air. Hortas is perched by Port Noarlunga’s jetty with uninterrupted ocean views. Portuguese and Mediterranean flavours are the gracenotes to stunning ingredients: Kinkawooka Mussels and Chorizo, Prawns smothered in garlic, Port Lincoln Oysters, seasoned with crispy pancetta. Foodies can relish the seafood platters heaped with blue swimmer crab, king prawns and Goolwa pipis, simmered in a briny prawn bisque. Photo: Hortas Restaurant

This newish character cafe is popular with walkers who want to pick up a specialty coffee or hot chocolate after exercising on the 5km Walking Trail that encircles the Myponga Reservoir. A funky decor of distressed walls, artwork and cool homewares for sale – add Tarot readings and local live music – imbue this local hotspot with a lovely community feel.alley Of Yore can pack a picnic for travellers planning to kayak the reservoir: don’t miss the broccoli and cranberry salad or chocolate almond croissants. Photo: Alexandra Baker

Amongst the prettiness of Strathalbyn’s village green and heritage shop fronts, rows of baked goodies on glass shelves at ‘The Strath’ tempt passers by. Resistance is futile as the sizzle and scent of country cooking wafts out from early morning. With its own barista, plenty of Aussie fare such as sausage rolls, stockmans pie and ploughman’s pasties, and fresh batches of fluffy mocha doughnuts, the bakery menu has all the brown paper bag goodies you need for a sweet or savoury road trip blow-out. Photo: Josh Geelen

The peninsula’s 750 square kms of high rainfall dairy country, pine forests and conservation land provide plenty of bush escapes to explore. Off Piste safaris aim to take their guests on off-road adventures that dive deeper: to meet local farmers, providores, brewers and winemakers and try their produce – while seeing plenty of wildlife along the way. Apart from a luxury jeep itinerary that encompasses the Fleurieu foodie scene’s makers and bakers, the day’s highlight is a scenic gourmet picnic en plein air, prepared by Salopian Inn (McLaren Vale) chef Karena Armstrong. Photo: Benjamin Neville

Sprinkling salt over fish and chips after a swim is an Aussie childhood rite of passage, to be recreated on every summer holiday. Visitors to Port Elliott can perch on a big open deck by the foreshore and eat theirs from a cone, overlooking a popular swimming beach in Horseshoe Bay. Flying Fish is helmed by born and bred local Ben Schmitt, who brings an Asian and Mediterranean twist to a Modern Australian classic menu; it’s the perfect setting in which to try the jewel in South Australia’s culinary crown: King George Whiting. Photo: South Australia Tourism Commission

Anyone who has ever fantasised about retreating to the isolation and staggering beauty of a cliffside property will revel in the promise of this environmentally conscious retreat – seclusion and luxury. This unique sanctuary is cocooned within 200 private acres of pristine wilderness, where kangaroos roam free and wedge-tailed eagles wheel overhead. Floor to ceiling windows allow views of the mighty Southern Ocean to flood in, with a cove as your own private playground. Each of the three king sized bedrooms has a free-standing bath, ideal for contemplation. Just add friends. Photo: Mish and Kirk

Wit and whimsy define this informal McLaren Vale cellar door, where the freewheeling charm of a double decker bus, coffee hut and tree swing is an invitation to frolic – a postcard-pretty instagram post waiting to happen. Lingering is encouraged: guests can sip on their Tempranillo all around the property, overlooking the vineyard and orchard. DTRH Restaurant’s organic, two and three-course Mediterranean style menu can also be gluten-free friendly. Consider the red wine chocolate brownie your ticket to Wonderland. Photo: Elise Cook

The scenic beauty of the Fleurieu coastline, where dolphins arch into the air over pristine aquamarine water, is glorious to see from the air. Helivista helicopter tours combine the best of both worlds, the vineyards of McLaren Vale and the sea cliffs and beaches of Port Willunga. Various packages include James Bond-worthy drop offs to your restaurant of choice; a custom wine tasting at Penny’s Hill; a pre-ordered lunch to be savoured in a private locale with far-reaching views (proposal anyone? We do!); or an Ancient Soils tasting. Photo: Duy Dash

Sustainability is the dish du jour at this passionately locavore hotspot. All produce, from squid and sea succulents to local valley beef, is sourced from Fleurieu Peninsula growers and family farms within a 50km radius. The stunningly converted 19th century flour mill showcases the region’s early settler charm, while the kitchen’s philosophy embodies that era’s pioneer pluck with a ‘nose to tail, root to leaf’ stance that wastes nothing. Two on site cottages provide cosy accommodation, as your Second Valley home base.

Aldinga Beach offers the rare luxury of being able to bring your vehicle right onto the long stretch of sand. Pearl’s Kiosk also suits local beach walkers who want to grab a bacon and egg roll or traditional bougatsa for brekkie on the go. Watch the surfers and divers who flock to this little patch of paradise as you enjoy waterfront dining, with seafood superstars such as Port Lincoln Mussels in White Wine, Scallops On the Half Shell, and Yellowfin Whiting in Green Chill. Photo: @_s_h_b_photography