Home

Comfort and food a perfect mix

Headshot of Stephen Scourfield
Stephen ScourfieldThe West Australian
Admiral’s Arch on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Camera IconAdmiral’s Arch on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Credit: Supplied/Supplied, SA Tourism

It’s a South Australian adventure every day, with a five-star stay every night (all without unpacking a suitcase).

On two days there are private charter flight adventures to Kangaroo Island and to the Eyre Peninsula, visiting Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln.

And there’s a full South Australian culinary experience. We will walk Adelaide Central Markets with a local food expert, on a sensory and interactive gourmet delve into this haven of premium food and wine products.

Then there’s a dinner (with wine), hosted by me, and showcasing South Australia’s best produce. And we’ll stay for three nights in comforts at the Hilton Adelaide hotel.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

It’s a pretty fancy way to experience some of the best of South Australia.

Coffin Bay, South Australia.
Camera IconCoffin Bay, South Australia. Credit: SA Tourism / Robert Lang

ADELAIDE CHARM

Adelaide has charm. Though it has the same “not Sydney or Melbourne” feel as Perth, there are differences, too. It feels like somewhere else.

There are more than 70 traders under one roof at Adelaide Central Markets — produce and foodie products, and quite a buzz.

There’s beautiful fresh food, of course, but also bespoke cheeses and desserts and smallgoods. There are cafes and eateries. And it reflects the multicultural nature of the city, and its cuisine.

And it has always been like this. All that, really, has been the point of these markets.

For, at 3.15 one morning in 1869, a bunch of market gardeners unhappy with the deal they were getting for selling their produce, came to this spot, between Gouger and Grote streets and began selling their produce. The word spread, and that day alone, more than 500 people came to buy.

The Adelaide Central Market, first known as City Market, opened the following year, mainly with produce carts (up to 100).

In 1900, work began on the building which is still the markets’ home. Now I think about it, this theme of produce continues much further afield during our South Australian adventure.

Thinking beyond our welcome dinner in the Coal restaurant, with some of South Australia’s best produce, there is our private flight to the Eyre Peninsula.

At Port Lincoln, there is the chance to sample local seasonal seafood (prawns, mussels, sashimi tuna and kingfish) and then a visit to a local winery for lunch.

South Australia prides itself on the quality of its cuisine, and on its environmental credentials in producing it.

I’ve seen so much of South Australia over so many years. But I have never seen it quite like this — with an air safari, and that clever idea of returning to the same beautiful bed each night.

Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Camera IconRemarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Credit: Ben Goode / SA Tourism

GUIDED EXPERTISE

Stephen Scourfield will personally lead this Travel Club Tour, in partnership with our friends at Holidays of Australia.

DAY 1, November 19, 2021

We’re off. Make your way to Perth Airport for our scheduled flight from Perth to Adelaide, where we’ll be transferred to the Hilton Adelaide for check-in.

Then we’re off on a sensory and interactive gourmet walking tour of the Adelaide Central Market with a local food expert.

The Central Market is a jewel in the crown of South Australian tourism experiences — a haven of premium food and wine products, and second home to chefs and food lovers. There are delicious samples, representing the multicultural community of South Australia and the clean and green produce harvested from farms and oceans.

But that’s just a taster, for we’ll then continue the South Australian culinary experience ...

Join me (Stephen Scourfield) for a welcome dinner, with a two-hour drink package, in a private room at Coal restaurant. The meal will showcase South Australia’s best produce, and I’ll present an entertaining (I hope!) talk about the region, the very nature of travel, my writing life (and give a sneak preview of my next book, The Best Job in the World).

DAY 2, November 20

Right, we’re off on a big adventure. After breakfast, we’ll be picked up from the hotel and quickly board our private plane to fly to Port Lincoln, on the Eyre Peninsula. We’ll be flying in a Fokker 50, a versatile turboprop aircraft. In Port Lincoln, we’ll join a cruise visiting Porter Bay, Port Lincoln National Park and Boston Bay. And we’ll have a seafood lunch on board.

After lunch, there’s more time to explore. The boat itself is new, with big windows, and run by a family and friends. Then we’ll join our private flight back to Adelaide, and be taken back to the Hilton Adelaide.

Dinner is at our guests’ own arrangements.

DAY 3, November 21

After breakfast, we’ll be picked up and taken to Adelaide Airport for our private charter flight to Kangaroo Island.

And when we land, there’s plenty to see.

There’s a guided beach walk with a ranger in Seal Bay Conservation Park. There’s a delicious two-course lunch. And we’ll see the bushfire recovery in Flinders Chase National Park, and Admiral’s Arch and Remarkable Rocks.

Then we’ll board our charter flight back to Adelaide and be transferred back to the hotel. Dinner is at our guests’ own arrangements, but before that, we’ll get together for an exclusive Best of SA experience, with drinks and canapes at our farewell reception.

DAY 4, November 22

It’s our last day, and after breakfast, Stephen Scourfield will join guests as they are transferred to Adelaide Airport for the direct flight back to Perth. (He’ll be staying on to spend time with his son, who lives in Adelaide.)

HOW TO JOIN US

The trip is from $3369 per person twin share, and from $3869 per single and solo traveller.

This includes return flights to Adelaide, Central Markets visit, welcome dinner with Stephen Scourfield, the private charter flights on two days, all transfers, three nights at the five-star Hilton Adelaide hotel and meals as described.

Full details and itinerary at westtravelclub.com.au/tours. Or phone 1300 854 897.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails