• Calendar
  • About
  • Contact Us

    1300 727 095 (AU)

    +61 2 9299 5801

    0800 403 621(NZ)

  • Opera
  • Music & Ballet
  • Art
  • Gardens
  • Short Breaks
  • Cruises
  • Asian Encounters
  • Gourmet
  • Day Tours

Hills and Vales of South Australia

From the Barossa Valley to the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, explore the rich springtime offerings of South Australia’s gardens, art, produce and wine.

Travel north-east from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley stopping at Anlaby Station, the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud, and at the estate of celebrated cook and author Maggie Beer. Visit colonial towns where established vineyards and architecture form the iconic image of this wine region, and delight in local produce at renowned farms.

In the Adelaide Hills, home of verdant and creative gardens, enjoy intimate tours of private gardens such as the stunning Wyndbourne Park and Highcroft Garden. Discover herb- and flower-planting practices at the farm of skincare brand Jurlique and explore the imaginative Tickle Tank property. At Sophie’s Patch, meet Gardening Australia’s Sophie Thomson and admire the flourishing garden surrounding her nineteenth-century stone cottage.

In McLaren Vale, indulge in prestigious restaurants and wineries scattered throughout this Mediterranean-like valley, including Coriole Vineyards and Tipsy Hills.

At a Glance

  • Discover iconic homesteads, farms and estates of the Barossa Valley
  • Explore select private gardens of the Adelaide Hills and learn more about flower- and herb-harvesting on a tour of the Jurlique Farm
  • Admire sweeping landscapes of vineyards, wheat fields and orchards, awash with springtime colour
  • Savour South Australia’s unique produce and wines, and enjoy a cooking demonstration at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

Tour Leader

Julie Kinney

Destination

Gardens, Art, History and Wine

Dates

07 – 14 October 2022 (8 days)

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Tour Status

Available

Enquire Book now

At a Glance

  • Discover iconic homesteads, farms and estates of the Barossa Valley
  • Explore select private gardens of the Adelaide Hills and learn more about flower- and herb-harvesting on a tour of the Jurlique Farm
  • Admire sweeping landscapes of vineyards, wheat fields and orchards, awash with springtime colour
  • Savour South Australia’s unique produce and wines, and enjoy a cooking demonstration at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop
Download Brochure
  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Friday 07 October 2022 / Arrive Adelaide – Barossa Valley

Arrive in Adelaide on suggested Qantas flights. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including pre-tour accommodation.

Meet Julie and fellow travellers at a CBD hotel at 10:00am (location to be advised). Travel by coach from Adelaide to Maggie Beer’s Farm, founded by pre-eminent cook and writer Maggie Beer. After lunch at the farm eatery, enjoy a private cooking demonstration using some of Beer’s signature ingredients, including verjuice (unripe grape juice) and vino cotto (cooked grape must).

Check in to the hotel located in the Barossa Valley and enjoy dinner with Julie and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Sat 08 Oct / Barossa Valley

Today, explore Anlaby Station in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s great homesteads and one of the first grand rural properties of South Australia. Visit the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud before enjoying lunch at the property. Wander through the four-hectare garden, home to a variety of National Trust-listed heritage trees and plants. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

Sun 09 Oct / Barossa Valley – Hahndorf

This morning, travel to AL-RU Farm in Sampson Flat for a tour of its generous gardens, from sweeping lawns to ponds, arbours, rose gardens and a lake in a rural setting.

Continue to the historic manor house at Carrick Hill and admire the Edwardian style formal gardens featuring the use of cellular structures such as hedges, lawn terracing and stone paving.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Hahndorf, first settled in the nineteenth century by Lutheran immigrants and today maintaining the unique history of being the oldest German settlement in Australia.

(BLD)

Mon 10 Oct / Hahndorf

Begin the day with a short orientation coach tour of Hahndorf followed by some time at leisure to explore the charming tree-lined main street.

Continue to the delightful Tickle Tank, the home and garden of artist and gardener Irene Pearce. After lunch, discover the cottage constructed from concrete water tanks and adorned with mosaics, and the quirky 450-square-metre garden featuring native grasses, herbs, roses and fruit trees.

Then, explore Wyndbourne Park, a large rambling country garden located in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The large number of varied microclimates permit a large and diverse collection of plants within the eight-hectare property, designed in several individual garden areas.

(BLD)

Tue 11 Oct / Hahndorf

This morning, visit the biodynamic Jurlique Farm, the home of one of Australia’s most prominent skin care brands. A variety of herbs, plants and flowers are grown using biodynamic practices of compost production and soil enrichment to create ingredients for their line of natural skin care products.

Continue to The Cedars, the historic house and working studio of Australian landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen, and learn about his passion for painting flowers. The gracious old homestead is surrounded by a rambling cottage garden, planted by Sir Hans himself.

Later, enjoy a unique workshop and flower farm visit at Kidman Flower Company over looking the Onkaparinga Valley near Balhannah.

(BL)

Wed 12 Oct / Hahndorf – McLaren Vale

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to Highcroft Garden in Harrogate, a Mediterranean garden in a low rainfall area, where Red Angus cattle are also farmed. Wide paths meander through beds that are coordinated in colour combinations and textural foliage contrasts. Enjoy a private tour of the property, with spectacular views across the ranges, before lunch.

Then, visit the impressive UKARIA Cultural Centre, the purpose-built concert hall nestled amongst the Adelaide Hills, before continuing to Sophie’s Patch, a garden in Mount Barker owned by Sophie Thomson, a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. Enjoy a private tour of the garden in this 1.2-hectare property, which includes an organic vegetable patch and a large number of fruit and nut trees.

Arrive in McLaren Vale in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

(BLD)

Thu 13 Oct / McLaren Vale

After some time at leisure to explore McLaren Vale town, continue to the renowned Coriole Vineyards for a short walk through the estate’s unique, multi-level Australian cottage garden, followed by lunch.

In the afternoon, explore Tipsy Hill, a Mediterranean-influenced property with a beautiful two-hectare garden that incorporates winding paths, arches and a vineyard, with stunning views across the region.

This evening, enjoy a dinner at one of McLaren Vale’s fine local restaurants.

(BLD)

Fri 14 Oct / Depart McLaren Vale – Adelaide

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to the renowned d’Arenberg winery, home of the distinctive modernist Cube building and producer of some of Australia’s finest Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a tour of the iconic d’Arenberg Cube followed by a special farewell lunch with Julie and fellow travellers.

After lunch, transfer to Adelaide Airport for suggested Qantas flights departing from 17:00, or continue to Adelaide CBD (group transfer included in tour price), where tour arrangements conclude. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, and travel insurance (highly recommended).

(BL)

 

Note: At time of publication (May 2022), private owners of gardens had committed to opening their homes and gardens, however they prefer not to be named. While we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.

Per person, twin-share

AUD 5,750

Single supplement

AUD 700

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 1,500

Final payment due

08 August 2022

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour code

GD2212

Fitness level

Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested airline

Qantas
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa

New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Australia.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in four-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinner
  • Comprehensive sightseeing including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Group transfer to the Barossa Valley from the Adelaide CBD on arrival
  • Group transfer to Adelaide Airport or the Adelaide CBD from McLaren Vale on departure
  • Expertise and insights of your tour leader, Julie Kinney
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Transfers on arrival and departure if not using included group coach transfers
  • Airport porterage
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

 

Your hotels
Barossa Valley – Novotel Barossa Valley Resort ****
Hahndorf – The Manna of Hahndorf ****
McLaren Vale – Serafino McLaren Vale ****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Coriole Vineyards and garden. Photo courtesy of Coriole Vineyards

Anlaby Station, Barossa Valley © denisbin/flickrCC

Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop © South Australian Tourism Commission/Sven Lake

Jurlique Farm © Jurlique International/Jem Cresswell

Highcroft Garden, Harrogate (Photo courtesy of Highcroft Garden)

Wyndbourne Park, Mount Lofty © Wyndbourne Park

Sophie Thomson at Sophie’s Patch © Sophie Thomson

Bougainvillea in bloom at Tipsy Hill, McLaren Vale. Photo courtesy of Tipsy Hill

Hills and Vales of South Australia

From the Barossa Valley to the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, explore the rich springtime offerings of South Australia’s gardens, art, produce and wine.

Travel north-east from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley stopping at Anlaby Station, the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud, and at the estate of celebrated cook and author Maggie Beer. Visit colonial towns where established vineyards and architecture form the iconic image of this wine region, and delight in local produce at renowned farms.

In the Adelaide Hills, home of verdant and creative gardens, enjoy intimate tours of private gardens such as the stunning Wyndbourne Park and Highcroft Garden. Discover herb- and flower-planting practices at the farm of skincare brand Jurlique and explore the imaginative Tickle Tank property. At Sophie’s Patch, meet Gardening Australia’s Sophie Thomson and admire the flourishing garden surrounding her nineteenth-century stone cottage.

In McLaren Vale, indulge in prestigious restaurants and wineries scattered throughout this Mediterranean-like valley, including Coriole Vineyards and Tipsy Hills.

  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Friday 07 October 2022 / Arrive Adelaide – Barossa Valley

Arrive in Adelaide on suggested Qantas flights. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including pre-tour accommodation.

Meet Julie and fellow travellers at a CBD hotel at 10:00am (location to be advised). Travel by coach from Adelaide to Maggie Beer’s Farm, founded by pre-eminent cook and writer Maggie Beer. After lunch at the farm eatery, enjoy a private cooking demonstration using some of Beer’s signature ingredients, including verjuice (unripe grape juice) and vino cotto (cooked grape must).

Check in to the hotel located in the Barossa Valley and enjoy dinner with Julie and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Sat 08 Oct / Barossa Valley

Today, explore Anlaby Station in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s great homesteads and one of the first grand rural properties of South Australia. Visit the historic homestead of South Australia’s oldest Merino stud before enjoying lunch at the property. Wander through the four-hectare garden, home to a variety of National Trust-listed heritage trees and plants. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

Sun 09 Oct / Barossa Valley – Hahndorf

This morning, travel to AL-RU Farm in Sampson Flat for a tour of its generous gardens, from sweeping lawns to ponds, arbours, rose gardens and a lake in a rural setting.

Continue to the historic manor house at Carrick Hill and admire the Edwardian style formal gardens featuring the use of cellular structures such as hedges, lawn terracing and stone paving.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Hahndorf, first settled in the nineteenth century by Lutheran immigrants and today maintaining the unique history of being the oldest German settlement in Australia.

(BLD)

Mon 10 Oct / Hahndorf

Begin the day with a short orientation coach tour of Hahndorf followed by some time at leisure to explore the charming tree-lined main street.

Continue to the delightful Tickle Tank, the home and garden of artist and gardener Irene Pearce. After lunch, discover the cottage constructed from concrete water tanks and adorned with mosaics, and the quirky 450-square-metre garden featuring native grasses, herbs, roses and fruit trees.

Then, explore Wyndbourne Park, a large rambling country garden located in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The large number of varied microclimates permit a large and diverse collection of plants within the eight-hectare property, designed in several individual garden areas.

(BLD)

Tue 11 Oct / Hahndorf

This morning, visit the biodynamic Jurlique Farm, the home of one of Australia’s most prominent skin care brands. A variety of herbs, plants and flowers are grown using biodynamic practices of compost production and soil enrichment to create ingredients for their line of natural skin care products.

Continue to The Cedars, the historic house and working studio of Australian landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen, and learn about his passion for painting flowers. The gracious old homestead is surrounded by a rambling cottage garden, planted by Sir Hans himself.

Later, enjoy a unique workshop and flower farm visit at Kidman Flower Company over looking the Onkaparinga Valley near Balhannah.

(BL)

Wed 12 Oct / Hahndorf – McLaren Vale

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to Highcroft Garden in Harrogate, a Mediterranean garden in a low rainfall area, where Red Angus cattle are also farmed. Wide paths meander through beds that are coordinated in colour combinations and textural foliage contrasts. Enjoy a private tour of the property, with spectacular views across the ranges, before lunch.

Then, visit the impressive UKARIA Cultural Centre, the purpose-built concert hall nestled amongst the Adelaide Hills, before continuing to Sophie’s Patch, a garden in Mount Barker owned by Sophie Thomson, a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. Enjoy a private tour of the garden in this 1.2-hectare property, which includes an organic vegetable patch and a large number of fruit and nut trees.

Arrive in McLaren Vale in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

(BLD)

Thu 13 Oct / McLaren Vale

After some time at leisure to explore McLaren Vale town, continue to the renowned Coriole Vineyards for a short walk through the estate’s unique, multi-level Australian cottage garden, followed by lunch.

In the afternoon, explore Tipsy Hill, a Mediterranean-influenced property with a beautiful two-hectare garden that incorporates winding paths, arches and a vineyard, with stunning views across the region.

This evening, enjoy a dinner at one of McLaren Vale’s fine local restaurants.

(BLD)

Fri 14 Oct / Depart McLaren Vale – Adelaide

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to the renowned d’Arenberg winery, home of the distinctive modernist Cube building and producer of some of Australia’s finest Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a tour of the iconic d’Arenberg Cube followed by a special farewell lunch with Julie and fellow travellers.

After lunch, transfer to Adelaide Airport for suggested Qantas flights departing from 17:00, or continue to Adelaide CBD (group transfer included in tour price), where tour arrangements conclude. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, and travel insurance (highly recommended).

(BL)

 

Note: At time of publication (May 2022), private owners of gardens had committed to opening their homes and gardens, however they prefer not to be named. While we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.

Per person, twin-share

AUD 5,750

Single supplement

AUD 700

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 1,500

Final payment due

08 August 2022

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour code

GD2212

Fitness level

Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested airline

Qantas
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa

New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Australia.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in four-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinner
  • Comprehensive sightseeing including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Group transfer to the Barossa Valley from the Adelaide CBD on arrival
  • Group transfer to Adelaide Airport or the Adelaide CBD from McLaren Vale on departure
  • Expertise and insights of your tour leader, Julie Kinney
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Transfers on arrival and departure if not using included group coach transfers
  • Airport porterage
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

 

Your hotels
Barossa Valley – Novotel Barossa Valley Resort ****
Hahndorf – The Manna of Hahndorf ****
McLaren Vale – Serafino McLaren Vale ****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

Book now
Enquire
Download Brochure

Hills and Vales of South Australia

Register Interest

    Have you travelled with us before?

    Title (required)

    Name (required)

    Surname (required)

    Email (required)

    Please send me a copy of the brochure by (required)

    Postal address (required if you would like to receive the brochure by post)

    Phone Number (required)

    Where did you hear about this tour (required)

    Enquire

      Title (required)

      First Name (required)

      Last name (required)

      Email (required)

      Comments (required)

      Join Waitlist

        Have you travelled with us before?

        Title (required)

        Name (required)

        Surname (required)

        Email (required)

        Please send me a copy of the brochure by (required)

        Postal address (required if you would like to receive the brochure by post)

        Phone Number (required)

        Where did you hear about this tour (required)

        Participation in tours

        Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. However, in certain destinations, or in certain seasons, or because of the nature of travel, certain tours will require an ABOVE MODERATE or CHALLENGING level of fitness. For the overall benefit of the group, at the time of booking we will require you to declare in writing that you are fit to participate in your chosen tour according to the level of fitness required for that tour. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to undergo a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate.
        We reserve the right to refuse admission to the tour for any reason before commencement of the tour. Further, if after the tour has begun it becomes apparent that you are unfit or unsuitable to travel on the tour, we reserve the right to require you to withdraw from the tour at the earliest opportunity to do so. No refund will be provided.
        It is also a requirement that you do not cause any significant disruption to the tour or the tour group, and we may refuse admission on the tour, or require you to withdraw from the tour at any time if your participation causes significant disruption for other guests or the tour group or there is any safety issue as a result of your ongoing participation in the tour.

        Fitness to participate

        Moderate

        Tour members must be able to:

        • negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
        • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
        • undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
        • stand for long periods in museums and other sites
        • embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
        • handle your own luggage

        Above Moderate

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours
        • climb staircases of 100 or more steps

        Challenging*

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or above 35 degrees)
        • handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres and above)

        Home

        • About Renaissance Tours
        • Testimonials
        • Tour Leaders
        • Calendar

        Tours

        • Art
        • Ballet
        • Cruises
        • Gardens
        • Music
        • Opera
        • Short Breaks
        • Asian Encounters
        • Gourmet
        • Day Tours

        Info

        • Contact Us
        • Booking Form
        • Terms and Conditions
        • Our Partners
        • Privacy and Cookies
        • Useful Links
        • Newsletters

        Connect with us

        Renaissance Tours

        Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001

        1300 727 095 (Australia) | 0800 403 621 (New Zealand)
        phone +61 2 9299 5801 | fax +61 2 9299 5805 | email info@renaissancetours.com.au

        ABN 14 069 591 448.

        Member of: