My husband and I are planning to visit Australia. My husband is a professional winemaker and part of our trip will be spent visiting wineries in Adelaide and Tasmania.
Please recommend your favorite highlights and "must see" things from Adelaide, Tasmania and Sydney.
Do you need a passport and VISA to get into Australia?
Thank you so much, Laurie
Yes to both passport and visa. I think you can get the visa online.
I was reading about a VISA or an ETA. I'm not sure if they are equivalent?
Don’t miss Melbourne, near wine country.
and Passport.
US Dept of State webpage with Australia entry requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Australia.html#:~:text=You%20must%20have%20a%20valid,days%20can%20obtain%20an%20ETA.
My husband was both a winemaker and engineer. He had worked out at Mt. Isa in Queensland in the mines. Also worked a couple of harvests with a friend in New Zealand.
We both love Adelaide and it's proximity to the Barossa area. Never made it to Tasmania but had always hoped to.
Suggest your husband talks to his winemaker contacts as to their suggestions. Don't know your age, but are you interested in working part of a harvest?
I did post some info on Tassie a few weeks back in response to an OP called JILL.
I'm out and about at the moment but will revisit here later on.
A few quick questions. Why Sydney? Seems like you will be flying into/out of Sydney. Logically with SthOz and Tassie as key destinations Melbourne would be a better arrival/departure point. Also Victoria (Melbourne's State) has some of the best wine regions in Oz (Yarra Valley, Heathcote, Mornington Peninsula etc).
How much time? What time of year?
I am guessing the Barossa Valley in Sth Oz (Adelaide) but what part of Tassie?
Also what do you like doing? Tassie has some of the finest hiking/bushwalking in Oz and some great post European settlement history.
This is helpful.
Our interests include wine, great food/restaurants, the beach, famous sites, beauty of the area…checking out places the locals enjoy…
Yes, my husband is reaching out to his connections. Thank you
Sydney? I thought seeing the Opera House and harbor area would be nice.
Hi Laurie. I did bump the thread where I chimed in on some places in Tassie, check it out.
If you are keen to see some of Sydney's sights that's cool. Only mentioned it because Melbourne is an hour flight time closer to both Adelaide and Hobart/Launceston.
After midnight here so I will post some ideas in my morning. Too tired now.
@ Laurie
Could you please expand on wine varieties and styles you and your husband are interested in.
King Valley Victoria. Prosecco, better than the original from the Veneto. Interesting story on how an Italian family brought this variety to Australia. Some Italians have their knickers in a knot over the using this named variety.
Northern Tasmania, Australia’s champagne grape varieties growing regions, Pinot et al. In deference, and respect, but mostly commercial agreements by international trade organisations following lots of whinging by the French, labels declare “Methode Traditionelle”, colloquially know as Tasmanian champagne. Some champagne houses within the LVMH group have boosted things along by invested in established vineyards there. The women in my family do their utmost to ensure the “Josef Chromy” label thrives.
Shiraz (Syrah) and cab sav grow like weeds from west to east.
Margaret River has the sought-after Cape Mentelle cab sav label, and others, with the bonus of a magnificent over reef surfing break, part of world pro surfing circuit. My personal favourite region and label. Many labels around Coonawarra south of Adelaide.
And of course, the two preeminent Shiraz labels from Penfolds (Grange Hermitage) and Henschke (Hill of Grace). Both with prices beyond most mortal humans. One needs to be on a select list to even be offered the chance to buy a bottle when the vintage is released. Many for bragging rights rather than appreciation of the product. About 5 kms apart in the Barossa with stunningly contemporary cellars.
Not many people know that.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/beyond-europe/australia-tips-and-advice-please
Regards Ron
We have a great interest in sparkling wines. My husband produces methods champenoise sparkling wine in the Finger Lakes region of NY.
We also really like Shiraz.
However, we are strong believers that quality wines are not necessarily the most expensive products. We are all about the quality more than the hype.
My husband will reach out to some contacts that he has there.
I'd love to learn more about staying in Tasmania. Do you recommend two different areas to stay or one? We are picturing five or six days there. I'd love to learn about cute villages to stay, hotels, restaurants...
We would also like to learn more about the Adelaide area and hotels, restaurants....
First up Laurie my apologies.
I am a low budget poorly educated blue collar bogan. I've picked copious amounts of the finest Shiraz and Cab Sav grapes but have no clue on wines. I do know a good cider when I taste one though. Same with food. I am a chicken parma, chips and salad at the local pub man.
We rarely ever stay in hotels when travelling around Oz so not much chop with accommodation options either.
I have done quite a few trips to Tassie. A few have been wild, woolly wilderness multiday hikes which I doubt are in your wheelhouse. But I have choofed around many of the small towns and much of it's extraordinary countryside. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
I was trying to pick a good small town/village base that might suit you. The one I came up with is Richmond. Beautiful little historic town. Not far from the capital Hobart. Good access to some great places including Port Arthur (pretty close to being a must see) and some great natural beauty and wilderness. There is a bit of wine growing in that region too.
Adelaide. I haven't spent much time there, never holidayed there.
It is known as the City of Churches. Plenty of them around the town, some pretty impressive ones
Nice beaches, Glenelg, Brighton, Henley and Semaphore. Pretty sure you'll find nice food and drink thereabouts.
The Adelaide Hills are quite nice, great views from Mt Lofty. I remember a quaint little Germanesque town called Hahndorf but that was years back, might be overrun with tourists these days.
If you like Shiraz then chase up a Heathcote Shiraz (Red Edge, Devil's Cave, Munari are all vinyards I picked for).
Cheers.
Thank you. This is great information!
@ Laurie
Nice summary by Tintaldra.
Could you please give a rough estimate of the months you had in mind both for Tasmania and on the mainland.
Regards Ron
Late in February and March.
@ Laurie
Since 1990’s I have lived between south of Hobart, Tasmania and Perth, Western Australia.
Children go back to school at the beginning of February and Uni’s start circa 19th February.
For Tasmania the best weather is mid-February through 24th April. March is the pick.
Southern Tasmania wine trail: https://winetasmania.com.au/wine-trails/southern-trail
Comments on a couple of vineyards.
Home Hill Winery. https://www.homehillwines.com.au/
20 minutes’ drive from where I live when in Tasmania. 2009 my second daughter and her husband chose this vinery for their wedding reception. My wife and I just had a family lunch there on Friday, 24th for our wedding anniversary and for our granddaughter’s birthday, 18th Nov, and her parents wedding anniversary on 2nd December.
We had their Miss Daisy Sparkling Cuvee. Nice strawberry aromas and colour. If you like, I will gladly talk to them about an introduction if you wish.
When we returned home, my 3 daughters and DIL surprised us by having our interstate friends fly in for the weekend to join our local friends for a fun time.
Pooley Wines. https://www.pooleywines.com.au/
John is a well-known businessman about town through his motor dealerships and this vineyard. Matilda sparkling may be of interest. They also do accommodation at their Georgian Prospect House.
If you like, I will gladly approach them.
Mapleton Vineyard: https://www.mapletonvineyard.com.au/
Not showing any sparkling on the website. My mate, fellow accountant and cabal member, Denis, is currently in the UK visiting his oldest son and grandchildren, has his priorities set right, and has emailed me to say, “we currently have 3 variations laid down, maturing on lees, so Methode Champenoise, for release with opening of our tasting centre, touted for June.” 2024 me thinks? I can guarantee you a greeting at this vineyard if interested.
Not many people know that.
Any others that may take your interest in the south, I will be delighted to meander over and have a chat with them.
Further on the booze trail. In mid-1990, I asked Bill Lark, a local surveyor whom I knew, about a possible subdivision of land I had just purchased. He told me about his latest hobby of whisky distilling.
Grew into this: https://www.taswhiskyandspiritstrail.com.au/
Regards Ron
Ron, Thank you so much
