Welcome Friends,

ITINERARY FOR:                Family: 2 Adults, and child/ren

3 nights/4 days

Congratulations on choosing one of the most scenic and idyllic locations for your family escape!  We are thrilled to welcome you to the enchanting location that is the Aldinga region, encompassing the historic township of Aldinga, as well as Port Willunga, Aldinga Beach, and Silver Sands on the Fleurieu Peninsula. 

You will find your family enveloped in a warm hug upon arrival to Aldinga.  Aldinga is one of those magical places that you must experience to believe.  The region is world class and unique in every way.  It encompasses the magic of family holidays of yesteryear; and we are certain it will become one of your favourite family holiday destinations of all time.

You will experience many treasures unique to the area as you discover Aldinga that will leave a lasting imprint on your soul, heart, and wellbeing. 

So, unplug, relax, recharge, and enjoy…  You may never want to leave!

DISCOVER THE ALDINGA REGION

Enjoy waking to the sounds of kookaburras, magpies, and blue-capped wrens. Be busy or completely relaxed, reading, walking along the beach, spending time with loved ones or just daydreaming. If you are an early bird, watch the sun rise over the hills or watch the sunset over the ocean. Snorkel or scuba dive on the Aldinga Reef Aquatic Reserve where there is an underwater trail amongst rock pinnacles or wander through rock pools looking for little creatures.

Spot a kangaroo in the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park. Walk along the trails to see this unique area of native vegetation. Quondong, Grevillea, Correa, Pink Gum, Xanthoria and Casuarina are some of the native plants. In winter native lilies and orchids can be seen. Laze on the pure sands of Silver Sands Beach. Bring a picnic or grab fish and chips from a local café, enjoy them on the beach while watching the sun disappear over the horizon.

Bring your boat and catch some fish. Or stand on the shore casting into the sea for your dinner.

Dine at local cafes and restaurants followed by shopping at local boutique retailers and shopping centre. See the ruins in the sea of the Star of Greece, wrecked at Port Willunga in 1888 and visit the cemetery that contains a mass grave for the crews of the Star of Greece. Bring your bicycles and cycle the back roads or bike trails. Stop at a restaurant or winery along the way.

Experience ‘Meet the grower and taste the region’ at the Willunga Farmers Market held every Saturday – rain, hail, or shine.

Experiences are endless in Aldinga but here are our recommendations –

DAY 1 - Thursday

Let’s pack up the family and get on the road!  It is time to really reconnect as a family.  Screen time no longer required!

Your family holiday adventure begins as you travel 38km from the Adelaide CBD, along Route 31 Coastal Drive taking in 31kms of our pristine coastline from O’Sullivan’s Beach to Sellicks Beach.  This stunning stretch of coastline is a must for your road trip down south to Aldinga. 

Enter from Gulfview Road, Christie’s Beach and spend the morning taking in the amazing seaside views (arguably the best beaches in the world!) together with the many coastal villages each with their own authentic vibe.  A quick stop at Beck’s Bakehouse at Port Noarlunga to pick up some lunchtime supplies and then head to the Port Noarlunga Jubilee Adventure Playground – one of the biggest and best playgrounds, suitable for all ages.  Continue along Route 31 Coastal Drive until you reach your accommodation.  As soon as you arrive to Aldinga, you will feel a million miles away so unplug and breathe, slowly.

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Luxury  Check into your luxurious two-bedroom beachfront accommodation, The Jetty at Port Willunga.  Overlooking Port Willunga beach and the iconic Star of Greece Restaurant – with spectacular ocean views no matter what the season.  Stylish coastal apartments that are designed to instantly make you feel relaxed and light as soon as you step foot through the door. 

Mid-Range         Check into your self-contained two-bedroom bungalow, Aldinga Bay Bungalows.  Situated on a 10-acre hobby farm with sweeping views of the bay.  Within walking distance to one of SA’s most stunning beaches and the Aldinga Washpools lagoon conservation area.  Set amongst grape vines and olive orchids it is a relaxing retreat from everyday life.

Children are welcome to feed the Alpacas, interact with chickens and ducks, collect eggs and enjoy seasonal vegetables from the veggie patch.  Bring your bikes and ride around the property.  There is plenty of room for a game of cricket or to kick a footy.

Budget Check into your self-contained cabin at Aldinga Beach Holiday Park.  Set on two hectares next to Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park, your cabin is 2.4km from the beach. 

Facilities include a swimming pool, huge jumping pillow, playground, beach volleyball, basketball ring, and 2 BBQ areas.

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Once you have settled into your accommodation, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.   

Why not visit Aldinga Central to pick up some supplies for your holiday adventure?  You will find local SA produce at Drakes Supermarket, curated cheese picnic packs and homemade ready-to-eat dinners at Café Crema by Blessed Cheese.  Do not worry if you have forgotten to pack beach supplies as Surf Esteem will have you covered with their vast range.

A massage package from All About Health Aldinga is on the agenda so relax and enjoy the serenity of reconnecting with and recharging your body.  You are on Aldinga time now; it is time to leave your worries behind.

As the sun begins to lower, take a picturesque walk along our famous Port Willunga Beach – known for being the most stunning and photographed beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula. 

Enjoy dinner on the deck at The Star of Greece, one of South Australia’s most famous restaurants with the most breathtaking views.  Perched on the cliff top overlooking Port Willunga beach - we will forgive you for thinking you are visiting the Amalfi coast!  The menu changes with seasons and nicely accommodates children with fresh house-made classics.  Children will not want to pass up on the Ice cream sundae with wafers and topping!  As the sun dips into the ocean, the cliffs turn a spectacular burnt-orange – a sight not to be missed!

DAY 2 - Friday

Wake up to pristine ocean views or a family of grazing kangaroos in the distance (dependant on your choice of accommodation).

Eat a hearty breakfast, then take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the esplanade stopping along the way to enjoy the pristine views of the coastline, the playgrounds and picnic shelters.  Why not grab a mid-morning coffee from the mobile coffee van situated along the esplanade or from the Port Willy Kiosk?

Depending on the weather and your personal preferences, it is time to head to the beach or enjoy time in the sun with a wine or cold brew – or both!

Beach visit

Aldinga is an underwater playground brimming with marine life and a rare reef formation.  Relax on Port Willunga Beach, hire a stand-up paddle board from SUP Down South, explore the beach caves or walk up to Gulls Rock.  Lunch is enjoyed courtesy of the Port Willy Kiosk.

Alternatively, really treat the family with a drive on the beach (no 4WD required).  Aldinga Beach is one of the few beaches in Australia where cars are allowed to drive on the sand so pack up the car and let’s go.  Children can roam wild and free, swimming and building sandcastles, whilst the adults soak up the cleansing sunshine and waves.  For those more adventurous, reefs and rock pools await – perfect for a family snorkelling adventure!

At the top of the Aldinga Beach ramp, you will find Pearl, a stunning seaside restaurant where the ever-changing moods of the ocean will make your visit different each time.  Lunch is enjoyed in either the restaurant where you will be treated to locally caught fish and chips, or at the kiosk where local takeaway treats are enjoyed on the grassed terrace or on the beach with the sand between your toes!

Brewery or Winery visit

Aldinga is perfectly located within 15-20 minutes from the heartland that is McLaren Vale.  You are spoilt for choice for world class wineries to visit.  However, you chose to visit Aldinga for a reason so for today we will keep it local and invite you to visit our local treasures. 

We celebrate our many local wines here and invite you to visit any of the following family friendly cellar doors: Ivybrook Farm – a historic and beautiful property run by the same family for five generations; Berg Herring – a boutique small batch cellar door in a converted heritage sandstone chapel (built in 1862) with spectacular ocean views and a beautiful lawned area; Sourc’d Wine Collective & Bar – a boutique cellar door and bar on the esplanade of Aldinga Beach; and Fox Creek Wines – a family owned, award winning winery located on Malpas Road, just off of Main South Road.

Kickback Brewery and Taphouse is a new local treasure focused on serving comfort food, providing locally crafted beers, in a family friendly atmosphere.   Children are very welcome with onsite changing rooms and a big fully fenced lawn area with lawn games!  There is also a wine menu for non-beer lovers and a live music program depending on your time of visit.

Friday nights in Aldinga’s Old Coach Road precinct is the place to be for pre-dinner drinks at boutique international and local wine bar, Fall From Grace or a visit to Big Easy Radio - a converted blue shed with a beautiful garden area are recommended.  Both have a chilled vibe and are wonderful places to sit and reflect on the day whilst listening to live music.  There are fenced lawn areas for children to enjoy.

Follow drinks with dinner at either Agostino Wines – a family operated winery and wood oven pizzeria, where children and pets are welcome, or at The Little Rickshaw, a Vietnamese-inspired restaurant in an historic former blacksmith’s building. The menu will have you mouth watering before you even see the food and after your first dish, you will know why it was listed in the Top 50 Regional Restaurants in SA.

For live music buffs who can keep the night going whilst the children are being looked after, we invite you to experience the south’s only purpose-built live music venue, Pepper Tree Aldinga, where you will be treated to quality entertainment most weekends of the year.

DAY 3 - Saturday

Wake up to that incredible view, again!

Enjoy an early morning drive to Silver Sands Beach to try to catch the many horses that visit on the beach (they are allowed until 9am).  This is wonderful for children to experience as 20 or so horses enjoy frolicking on the beach or swimming in the ocean.  There is also a great little playground area near the Silver Sands Beach access ramp and Aldinga Beach Surf Life Saving Club.  For yoga buffs, you may be enticed to join the 8.30am beach yoga session held at Port Willunga beach over the summer months.

Breakfast or Brunch is an easy choice today.  Enjoy pancakes and strawberries on the beach from Liquid Delights, a husband-and-wife team, who serve amazing food and drinks from a food truck at cheap prices.  You will find them on the beach on most perfectly weathered Saturdays and Public Holidays.

No visit to Aldinga is complete without taking a 15-minute drive to Willunga for an opportunity to taste the region at Willunga Farmers Market, one of South Australia’s premier produce markets.  You buy direct from the farmers and the money goes straight back to them – a fantastic way to support the local community.

Head back to Aldinga and pop into the Old Coach Rd precinct again for a little retail therapy within the heritage listed Harts Temperance Hotel, a once historic hotel famous for accommodating survivors of the ‘Star of Greece’ shipwreck.  Now a retail precinct situated opposite the newly renovated Aldinga Hotel, you will find one-off fashion and homewares at Miss Gladys On Sea, Sage House, and Little Road Studio.  Whilst in this area, you will also come across our Old Coach Road food operators such as Maxwell’s, The Shack Café & Pizzeria and Home Grain Bakery.

Why not also take a short detour to wander around the Aldinga Arts Eco Village – a cohesive community built on shared aspirations in the arts, permaculture, and environmental sustainability, just one part of our thriving arts and crafts culture.  Whilst you are walking around Aldinga, discover the ‘Love Aldinga’ hearts – sculptures that capture the essence of how visitors feel when spending time in the Aldinga township.  There are six to find and all with their own individual tale.

Today’s lunch is courtesy of the goodies you found at the Farmers Market, complimented with any of the local additions purchased along Old Coach Road.

After lunch, drive 5 minutes to the nearby Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park and enjoy a walk along one of the designated walking trails where you are almost guaranteed to run into a few kangaroos and maybe an echidna.  It is the perfect location to experience nature in its raw state.

On the way back to your accommodation, why not treat the family with a visit to Willunga Gelato - tucked away in Old Coach Road (blink and you may miss this fabulous little place!).  Experience a divine mix of Italian recipe and seasonal local produce – a unique gelato experience for the family.  Whilst there, you may be enticed next door by the locally roasted fine coffee from Goodness Coffee Co. – a boutique café in the historic precinct of Old Aldinga, arguably known for being the best coffee in town.

Dinner is enjoyed at the newly refurbished Aldinga Hotel with indoor and outdoor seating available.  Children are spoilt for choice with the menu and there is even a courtesy bus available if the adults wish to have a drink with dinner.  Keg & Barrel Steakhouse or the new vegan restaurant, Lucky Ducks could also be dinner alternatives.

Day 4 - Sunday

Wake up and head to Breeze Cafe for a relaxing breakfast on the esplanade.

Drive to Aldinga Airfield, just 5 minutes away, for an incredibly special scenic flight in a 1930s WACO biplane with Adelaide Biplanes. Experience the joy and sheer romance of the big, classic open cockpit or for a full family experience why not take advantage of the option to hire your own Cessna plane and enjoy one of the Fleurieu Peninsula trips on offer where you will take in the breathtaking view of the coastline, hills, and local wine region.  We can also cater to any adrenaline junkies with a breathtaking finale to your holiday of a sky diving experience with Sky Dive the Southern Vines.  Weather dependent, you could treat yourself to your very own beach landing – an experience that will stay with you for eternity.  What a finale!

Now it is time to take a moment to let your feet get comfortable being back on land with coffee and scones on The Kitchen’s deck at Aldinga Airfield before heading back to check out from your accommodation.

Before you leave, enjoy one last food experience by the sea with traditional wood fired Sicilian pizzas and food at Sicily Mare Pizzeria, located along the Aldinga esplanade.  Pizza dough is treated as art here - handmade and stretched the authentic way, then rested for 72 hours.  You will love seeing the wood fired oven in action.

Sadly, your Aldinga getaway has come to an end.  Aldinga is known to capture the hearts of our visitors, so we know we will be welcoming you again soon!  We will be here when you need us to help you reconnect, recharge, unwind and relax.  Aldinga provides an experience unlike any other and each time you come, you can be rest assured that there will be even more treasures to see and experience!