Hit the road with an empty stomach and a ‘treat yourself’ mentality, because we’re heading on a gourmet road trip around South Australia!

Start your trip off right with a visit to Adelaide Central Market, which houses more than 70 traders under one roof. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the market is the perfect place to wander with a coffee in one hand, and a pastry in the other. With vendors including Barossa Fine Foods and the Kangaroo Island Stall, this central hub provides a sneak peek of the gourmet delights that the rest of the state has to offer.

Once you’ve filled your belly in Adelaide, hit the road and head south for around 40 minutes, and you’ll find yourself in McLaren Vale – one of South Australia’s (and Australia’s) best wine regions. More than half (54 per cent) of the regions’ vine plantings are dedicated to shiraz – so if a glass of red paired with a delicious, lovingly created meal sounds like your ideal evening, then a visit to McLaren Vale is a must. With so many wineries, restaurants and cafes to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go to indulge yourself. Thankfully, we’ve got you sorted with a few recommendations in the area.

From McLaren Vale, drive about an hour north and find yourself within the tranquil beauty of the Adelaide Hills region. Comprising quaint towns like Stirling, Mount Barker and Hahndorf, Adelaide Hills is a go-to destination for South Australians looking to immerse themselves in beauty and a touch of the gourmet. The first stop on our culinary tour of the region is Hahndorf, famous for its German roots and unmissable architecture. We won’t blame you if you feel like you’ve been dropped into a German fairytale!

Part ways with Hahndorf and drive 20 minutes to Summertown, where you’ll find The Summertown Aristologist. This gem of a find is only open Friday to Sunday, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. Here, you’ll enjoy stripped-back food that is as local as it gets, with many of the ingredients homegrown or sourced locally. Every small detail has been thoroughly considered here, with even the crockery being handmade.

Read more about this gourmet road trip in the Winter 2023 edition of Caravanning Australia!

_{Pictured: Marino Meat and Food Store, Adelaide Central Market. Image courtesy of Julian Cebo}