the sensational South
The Great Australian Gourmet Adventure
7 sensational nights, from Adelaide to Melbourne,
are packed with flavour and full of adventure.
Visit Penfold’s hidden vintage cellars en route to the Adelaide Hills. Here, enjoy sommelier-led sensory tastings, canapes with a local winemaker and visit one of the region’s pioneers of biodynamic farming. A scenic private charter flight from Adelaide to Melbourne (and over the Great Ocean Rd) visits a premium Wagyu beef station for a lunch of signature cuts and Coonawarra wines. Enjoy hot springs and the region’s hottest restaurants in the Mornington Peninsula and personal introductions to fabulous foodie finds in Melbourne with a collection of private touring experiences.
Itinerary
On arrival in Adelaide, your private transfer will transport you to Penfolds’ Magill Estate to indulge the senses with a behind-the-scenes tour into the original Grange Cottage, Penfolds’ vintage cellar and Max Shubert’s original hiding spot for his hallowed Grange; a structured tastings of some of the estate’s finest wines and a three-course lunch with paired Penfolds wines.
Your waiting driver will transfer you to the Adelaide Hills to check in to your accommodation where you will be greeted with a welcome drink.
We recommend a relaxed dinner in the lodge’s Sequoia Lounge with panoramic Piccadilly Valley views.
Accommodation: Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills (3 nights)
On a private visit to a family-owned biodynamic farm in Mt Barker, learn about the region’s burgeoning natural wine scene. Open by appointment only, Ngerina offers the opportunity to sample shiraz, chardonnay, cider, syrah, their signature pet-nat ‘farmhouse champagne’ and several other flavoursome varieties that have been grown, blended and bottled on the property.
If you fancy venturing out for dinner this evening, we can recommend the Summertown Aristologist natural wine bar and restaurant, serving local natural wines and a seasonal menu of delicious vegetable-led small places only minutes from the lodge.
Accommodation: Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills
A pinot noir masterclass is a special value-added inclusion of your Sequoia stay with Southern Crossings. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy a collection of inclusive experiences which may include sunrise yoga or a dip in the spring-fed hot pools, guided nature walks and stargazing, sommelier-led sensory wine tutorials and wine tastings with local winemakers.
Your stay also includes a bottle of Mt Lofty sparkling – best enjoyed on your spacious private balcony or by the fire place in your suite’s cosy sunken lounge.
Dont’t miss the opportunity to sample Mt Lofty Estate’s award-winning dinning at the on-site Hardy’s Veranda Restaurant, our recommendation for this evenings’ dinner.
Accommodation: Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills
A private transfer from Sequoia to Adelaide will connect you with your private charter flight to Melbourne, that calls in to the Coonawarra to go behind-the-scenes into the Wynns barrel room to blend your own red. Your second landing is at Mayura Station for a chef-prepared lunch showcasing the property’s premium Wagyu beef and matched museum-release wines before the final scenic flight over the 12 Apostles. On arrival your private driver will transfer you to the Mornington Peninsula.
We can recommend a dinner at your accommodation’s Rare Hare restaurant this evening.
Accommodation: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula (3 nights)
A private foodie tour of the Mornington Peninsula introduces you to a collection of boutique wineries in Melbourne’s weekend playground before visiting Pt Leo Estate to lunch at Laura, one of Australia’s most highly-awarded regional dining experiences. After lunch, continue to the touring to visit the Peninsula’s seaside villages and artisanal producers before returning to your accommodation.
This evening, we suggest you treat yourself to a decadent Doot Doot Doot tasting menu for dinner at Jackalope (and don’t miss the opportunity for an aperitif or nightcap at the property’s Flaggerdoot cocktail lounge).
Accommodation: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula
After breakfast, Southern Crossings travellers enjoy the privileged opportunity to tour Jackalope’s kitchen with the chef.
Then, continue the Mornington Peninsula private touring with a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs, including premium access to the Spa Dreaming Centre’s blissful geothermal bathing sanctuary. Lunch today is at the local produce-driven Tedesca Osteria, one of the region’s hottest dining experiences. Round out the day with a visit to Montalto to enjoy a stroll through their rolling vineyard, sculpture gallery and kitchen garden before a tasting of their premium current and museum-release wines.
For your final evening in the Mornington Peninsula, we can recommend a dinner at Ten Minutes by Tractor – a sophisticated celebration of Peninsula produce.
Accommodation: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula
The transfer from the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne includes a private expert-led urban food adventure of Australia’s multicultural culinary capital.
Check in to your accommodation and enjoy canapes in the Crystal Club lounge (which we’ve included with your stay) before heading out for dinner; which we recommend you treat yourself with a night at Attica, a regular feature on the World’s Best restaurants list.
Accommodation: Crown Towers, Melbourne
After breakfast in the Crystal Club, a private transfer will transport you to Melbourne Airport for your onward travel arrangements,
Or continue on the Great Australian Gourmet Adventure exploring more epic edible experiences in Victoria.
Important Information
Price – $35,100 for two people on a double/twin share basis
Inclusions:
- 7 nights' accommodation as per itinerary above
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, tastings and selected beverages
- Private airport transfers throughout
- Penfolds Magill Estate Iconic tasting experience
- Private Adelaide Hills wine touring experience
- Sommelier-led pinot noir masterclass
- Private charter flight Adelaide - Coonawarra - Melbourne including lunch and 12 Apostles scenic flight
- Private Mornington Peninsula Foodie Tour with lunch
- Jackalope private chef-led garden tour
- Private Mornington Peninsula touring and Hot Springs
- Private Melbourne Foodies Tour
- Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST) at 10%
Exclusions:
- Flights to Adelaide / from Melbourne as required
- Meals and Beverages not specified in the itinerary or as restaurant suggestions
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips and Gratuities
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.