SEE SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Come See What We Discovered

The Huz and I recently had a fabbo stay-cay in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, right here in South Australia. It was fairly unplanned and relaxed, a little time together to connect with each other and discover some beautiful spots in South Australia. Sometimes we need a break but the calendar or budget has other ideas so that’s where a stay-cay comes into its own… a little vacation in your own town/city for a night or three 🙂

We were invited by the friendly team at Mount lofty House to experience their hospitality and also the Golden Ticket package. More on that later.

Time to get away, on a stay cay.

The Huz and I closed our computers early on a Friday afternoon, packed an overnight bag and left our weekday routines behind as we hightailed it up the hill to Mount lofty House. Set in the Adelaide Hills and just fifteen minutes from the city CBD when we clapped eyes on historic Mount lofty House we really felt far away from the everyday.

I mean look at me looking like the garden pixie exploring and savoring the serenity 🙂 the gardens really are something else!

Mount lofty house was built in 1852 by Arthur Hardy as a summer residence that was well known for lavish parties with the well to do types. The house oozes charm and just made me feel transported in time, a simpler and more elegant time. After a welcome cocktail the Huz and I took time to hold hands and stroll around the grounds, taking  in the views, the heritage buildings and stop and smell the roses.

Then we frocked up for one of the most amazing dinner meal experiences I have ever had at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant. The views were breathtaking, service impeccable and the food was modern and delicious…my date was a spunk too!

Can I just say the milk bread and salted butter was outa this world, it blew my freakin taste buds to orgasm! I mean if that’s even a thing, anyways the Huz and I loved it!

The next day we woke up in a seriously comfy bed in a room filled with charm with the most glorious sunrise (yes, I got up especially to see it) and headed downstairs for a simple but tasty brekky, the huz had the buffet and I ordered eggs…always eggs 🙂 Again, the view had us wanting to linger longer.

Time to discover some of South Australia

But, it was time to pack our bag, say goodbye (for now) and head off on an adventure. As part of the golden Ticket Package experience we were given a map and itinerary to visit some local Adelaide Hills businesses. Our adventure was tailored just for us (thanks Mount Lofty House) and we were off to visit a cheese factory and try gin tasting! First stop though was a little retail therapy at ‘That Pony Shop‘ in the cute township of Charleston. Getting to know the owner Nic was a highlight, so bloody down to earth and a gorgeous soul.

The thing about visiting the country are the conversations we have, I love meeting new people and learning more about history…and the people. Wherever we went on our staycation adventure there were plenty of fabulous and interesting conversations.

Time to say ‘cheese please’.

South Australia is well known as a foodie capital and after some shopping it was time to have a private cheese tasting…YES, cheese tasting 🙂 We headed into picturesque Woodside to meet Kris Lloyd, the dynamic and talented owner of Woodside Cheese Wrights for an education on all things cheese. WOW, we had the BEST time with Kris, she was accommodating, funny, warm AND she fed us cheese. That’ll do pig…that’ll do!

We tried soooo many cheeses, like Persian feta (now a regular in my shopping trolley), a citrusy chévre cheese encrusted with lemon myrtle and green ants, yup you read right! I am a fan of an ashy cheese and the Woodside Cheese ashy goats cheese with a pretty name of ‘Edith’ did not disappoint and neither did the gooey ‘Charleston Brie’, the pretty ‘Monet’ with edible flowers (very Instagram worthy), or the aged cheddar that blew my tastebuds. Oh, and then there was a fudgey ‘Foragers Feast’ cheese with a hint of mushrooms hidden inside. Oh M Gee!

We chowed down on soft and hard cheeses, washed rind, ash rind and even no rind cheese. We cleansed our palettes with slices of Adelaide Hills apples and water and teamed our cheeses with an assortment of delicious crackers and fresh honeycomb…again mind blown! If you have not tried cheese with chewy, gooey fresh honeycomb you need to do it pronto…thank me later!

Oh, and you can book a cheese tasting too. Perfect for a group or even a workplace team building event. Kris hugged us and sent us on our way with a cooler bag of goodies that we are still eating.

Gin, Gin, the drink you sip at Inglewood Inn

Next stop was gin tasting at Inglewood Inn. We did arrive a few minutes late because the windy country roads and views were distracting. The lovely Milly showed us around and relayed the history of the inn, it’s her family business and the family hospitality was warm and welcoming.

Inglewood Inn is a popular wedding destination with Brides (and Grooms) here in South Australia, and why wouldn’t it be with its picturesque grounds and fabulous hospitality. We were lucky enough to watch the setup for a late afternoon wedding as we enjoyed a gin tasting paddle board and be ‘we’ I mean ‘me’ as the Huz decided to try a local brew which went down a treat with some pretty tasty Arancini balls.

Inglewood inn was the perfect place to rest and take in the view and chat about our amazing weekend and after a few hours and with a belly full of cheese and Gin I was feeling relaxed and ready for the trip home. Our hearts were full and the memory bank had some pretty special memories stored away.

Would you like to see more of South Australia?

If you would like to experience more of the Adelaide Hills and enjoy a ‘Golden Ticket’ experience at Mount Lofty House then click here. You will not only enjoy an amazing experience but could also be one of only ten people invited to a VIP dinner at Mount Lofty House where they will announce a winner for an all expenses paid dream holiday at Palm Cove!

Have you enjoyed a ‘staycay’ in your state lately? Where did you go?

Til next time,

Jen x

The Huz and I enjoyed this complimentary experience courtesy of Mount Lofty House, Inglewood Inn and Woodside Cheese Wrights.