Here's Our Picks For Your Next Adelaide Date
By Lisa Clark
Do you what excites me more than Adelaide? NOTHINGGGGGG. And if the incredible wineries, rolling hills, and acclaimed restaurants weren’t enough, Adelaide continues to step up its game with one of the greatest festival line-ups I’ve seen in a while (more on that below).
So, I was dating in Adelaide but I actually fell in love with Adelaide itself. Adelaide’s vibe plus everyone’s love of food, wine, and festivals speaks to me in a way no other city does — which makes it not only the perfect place for dates but also for a vacay with your honey. (And if you’re a foodie like me, it’s also the mothership for all that is good in regards to locally sourced produce.)
Here are my picks for date nights, date days and weekends away with your favourite human in my favourite place, Adelaide.
I’m all about those festival vibes
In September and November, there are two epic festivals coming to SA. What better way to raise your dating game then with camping, glamping, music, wine, and amazing memories. Check it...
Triple J One Night Stand. Each year Triple J ships the best Aussie acts out to a different town for a massive free party. This year, Lucindale in SA is the holding ground for the Triple J One night Stand Festival. The line-up is epic with the likes of HilltopHoods, Meg Mac, Ocean Alley, and a heap of others. You can glamp or camp, choose your poison, but as far as dates go, this would be a pretty epic one.
Make sure you add the town of Robe to your to-do list which has incredible accommodation options for your staycation, lots of cool shops and there are some incredible restaurants you’ll need to visit while in town.
When: Saturday September 14th
Where: LucindaleSA
How much: Free
Handpicked Festival. It’s where the cool kids will be and you’ll want to be a part of it. Hidden amongst the vineyards of Lake Breeze Wines in Langhorne Creek, this incredible festival is a sensory overload. Your day will be spent listening to the likes of Amy Shark, John Butler, Missy Higgins, Odette, The Tesky Brothers, and the list goes on.
There are stalls of handmade goodies, plus regionally produced dishes from the food trucks on the ground all while you dance the day away with the locally, family produces Lake Breeze Wines. Though the festival is only for one day on the 9th November, it’s worth staying for the weekend and discovering the neighbouring costal towns. Especially be sure to check out Port Elliot Village, which has incredible beaches as well as new boutiques and cafes popping up that you just have to visit on your journey. It’s a total vibe.
When: Saturday November 9th
Where: Langhorne Creek
How much: There are only VIP passes left (sorry) and they’re $210 each but so worth it with access to VIP only bathrooms, the VIP cellar door and 5 drink passes. I mean, if you’re here you might as well go large right?
Awaken the senses and do all the things wine related in McLaren Vale
This uber cool seaside wine village has some amazing cellar doors, and there are so many date ideas here that I don’t have enough room on the page to write them all. So, I’ve had to choose a few favourites which wasn’t easy, but this will put you in date day heaven.
You have to check out the rubik’s cube shaped d’Arenberg Cube, it’ll change the way you view wine forever. Start on the ground floor smelling room and sniff your way through a variety of scents, then climb the stairs which are littered with art to the top floor where you will taste some of the best wines SA has to offer. The other cellar door which is a must is Down The Rabbit Hole which is the brain child of Elise Cook’s Winery). Unless you’ve been living under a rock or even perhaps down a rabbit hole you would have seen the trip a few well known influencers made there a couple of weeks ago where they shared their incredible long lunches, walks through the rolling vineyards and wine tastings (from a combi) I might add… Elise has breathed new life into the traditional winery experience which can only be explained as boho luxe vibes.
If you can’t make it there then at least follow their gram. It’s goals and, to be honest, romantic AF.
Eat like a King or Queen at Africola
I don’t know even where to start with this one. Wait, yes, I do. The Tea Sandwich, which is literally white bread, buttered with crispy chicken skin, and hot chicken drippings. If your date does not fall in love with you instantly for introducing them to that one food item, then I’m going to flag that they might not be the one for you. This PLACE is LIFE CHANGING. The vibe is electric and if you’re lucky enough to get an outside seat then you’re living your best date night life.
They smoke and baste tehri meat in its own juices, the margaritas are incredible and they change their menu regularly to reflect seasonality. The head chef is a legend (though he seems kinda intimidating from afar), and while the tunes are pumping you can slowly put your arm around your date while you discuss the delights you’ve just been served. It’s a winner, winner, chicken skin dinner.
When: When ever your belly rumbles
Where: 4 East Terrace, Adelaide
How much: Prices range from $12 - $42 and it’s a $20 corkage