OZ Wine Walkabout Part Deux

[Wine Owl]

Thanks to all for posting to my initial walkabout query several days ago!! Received great inputs.

Had reserved a Hyundai Getz as the ride for my walkabout (is driving on a walkabout OK?! ) and since I’ve never even seen a Roo before I hadn’t considered the outcome of a Roo and a small car (WHAT was I thinking !!!). So upgraded to a Mitsubishi Outlander, so I think can take-on and do “a-roo-or-two”

Love the discussion on what was “TRUE” Australian food. I was looking forward to Lamb Chops (since they are US$15 a pound in Arizona) and I know the joy of fish and chips, but now I am also looking forward to “crown lager infused BBQ'd kangaroo steaks with Barossa shiraz and beetroot marinated lamb” What fun !!!

I do NEED SUGGESTIONS for accommodations (or internet booking engines/sites that U’all use down under) especially Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney; my motel criteria is clean and somewhat safe ( as if safety even a worry in Australia?), I don’t need Spas and valet parking … (Wine is the Reason for the trip, Remember every $50 not spent on Lodging is $$$$ for “MO Wine“ , (a bottle’s worth at least and if I’m lucky may be 2 or 3!!!). Noticed the “Adelaide International Motel” on the internet, photos look good, price appears reasonable by comparison at $80ish (I don’t have a reference) , suggestions please!!!

Sooo hereÂ’s my planned route (I know a walkabout is supposed to be spontaneous, but Qantas is only giving me 3 weeks on my cheapie ticket and with petrol costs what they are these days; I must allow for efficiency).

IÂ’ll do a location list of major stop areas at the end of my itinerary so you can cut & paste it for your input/suggestions !!!.

I might give up Clare Valley for Yarra Valley (I’m a Red Wine Person and might want to do the “Puffing Billy Steamer” and explore Pinot in the Yarra) and give more time to Padthway and Coonawara. Don’t worry about the driving, I’m a spitter with one small swallow for 4 stars, and two small swallows for 5 stars !!!!

Anyway HereÂ’s the Plan:

Arrive Adelaide early on Thurs AM. Orientate to city and motel. Head to Adelaide Hills. Thurs to Sun stay in Adelaide. Fri more Adelaide Hills and city stuff? Sat do Barossa. Sun more Barossa and Eden Valley, head to Clare Valley (stay at Clare Valley Inn per Tobb ). Mon, Clare. Tue, finish Clare and do any revisits/misses/finds in Barossa/Eden, back to Adelaide that (Tue) night. Wed off to Padthway and Coonawara on Thurs. Fri off to Ararat and the Grampians (via Hamiton?). Sat into Melbourne (possibly to rest my palate, but hopefully not!!) Sat-to Mon stay in Melbourne area do Yarra Valley. Early Mon AM, back to Ararat and the Pyrenees. Tue, in Ararat area, Wed, back to Adelaide via Dukes Hwy, Rest if any time is left!!! Thurs Fly to Sydney. Unless there is serious objection from ya'all, probability wont do the Hunter from Sydney, maybe just city sights and wine stores!!!??.

Know this was/is complex, but itÂ’s been 38 years since my last visit and who knows when IÂ’ll be able to get back (maybe next year for the Adelaide Show, Hope, Hope !!!)


HereÂ’s the location list for cut and paste for inclusion in your reply for any comments.

Thanks in Advance, I know reading this was tedious but wine is such an adventureÂ…..
Thanks Again

Wine Owl

Adelaide (need accommodations),

Adelaide Hills,

Barossa,

Eden Valley,

Clare Valley,

Padthway,

Coonawara,

Grampians,

Melbourne (need accommodations),

Yarra Valley,

Pyrenees,

Ararat area,

Sydney,

Hunter Valley,

Sydney (need accommodations),

Sydney wine stores (hopefully with favorable pricing AND tastings!!!),

[Davo]

Just a small hint from a bloke who doesn't live there.

An afternoon in Adelaide is like a lifetime anywhere else. There just ain't that much to see or do.

The Barossa is an hour and a bit north, get there quick. The Eden Valley won't take long unless you are a Henschke freak, if not it is a long drive out of your way for not much. Decidedly one of the least friendly cellar doors I have visited, ever. The best of the Eden Valley is so close to the Barossa you won't know the difference.

Clare is definitely worth the time and personally I would prefer to spend a day there than a month in the Yarra. The smaller producers are all friendly, especially the likes of Killikanoon, Skillogalee (great lunch) and Clos Clare. The babe behind the counter at Knappstein when I was last there was worth the visit alone. Throw in the historic Seven Hills, the sensational wines at Leasingham and some of the best reisling Australia produces and it makes for a great day or 2.

The Adelaide hills mainly for curio value. A couple of wineries worth the visit and some nice scenery while you take the drive from the Barosaa to all points south and sout east.

In Vic, the Puffing Billy is a nice train ride but apart from th wine they serve on board they go nowhere near a winery.

Motels in Oz are 99.99% safe. Mostly when in SE Oz wine country I stay in Budget Motels. Cheap but mostly clean. I only need a bed and bathroom facilities when travelling as we always eat out and like you I would prefer to spend on wine rather than a fancy room.

In the Barossa book accom early as often they are booked out up to 6 months in advance.

In summary, Less time in Adelaide and environs, more time in the Barossa and Clare valleys.

[TORB]

Hi Paul,

A couple of links that may help.

http://www.wotif.com/ Has great accommodation rates in the main cities.

SA Tourist Commission has some great and useful links.

Visit Victoria is also useful. When you arrive in Victoria, get hold of the book about touring in the wine regions; its great.

Agree with Davo, rather than staying in Adelaide, you will be better off staying in the Barossa, Hills or McLaren Vale etc.

You only need one day to do the Adelaide Hills wineries.

Try to get to Clare on Sunday morning (or Saturday night.) Many of the wineries are only open on the weekend.

[Ian S]

If you want to do the tourist thing in Melbourne, I can recommend the Victorian Tram Car Restaurant which takes you on a criss-cross journey across many (7?) courses, a handful of wines and much of Melbournes tramways. Cost should still be under Aus$100

If you want to do the locals thing in Melbourne, spot the Victorian Tram Car Restaurant, cut in front of it and light your brakelights

Hope you have a great trip & don't be afraid to post detailed notes of each wine tasted!!

Ian

[707]

Paul, I've sent you a more comprehensive range of ideas on e-mail.

A few suggestions about drive times and where/when to stay will save you wasting valuable time.

Feel free to keep e-mailing me as you refine your itinerary and let me know if you need more accomodation and eating out suggestions in my part of the world.

[manning]

Have to agree with the comments re Adelaide - I suspect one of the reasons for the amazing vineyards is that it gave people in Adelaide something to talk about... it's a dull place. (Pretty, but dull). The biggest non-wine tourist attraction is the museum of our most famous cricketer... which is a sport you probably don't care about anyway.

The odds of hitting a roo are small, but if you do, the choice of car probably doesn't matter. The places you are going tend to be roo free.

Safety is a minimal concern out here - show common sense in the middle of Sydney but apart from that you can largely relax. Australians do whine about crime levels, but we honestly have no idea. The papers carry on like we're living in Johannesburg.

[manning]

Oh, and get yourself a Lonely Planet Guide to the regions you are going to. They are easily available in the US and will alert you to the best accomodation options (not so good for food).

I'd recommend getting the individual books for Vic and SA, rather than the single Australia book (which are heavily edited to get the size down).