Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2025 i Fleurieu Living Magazine

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS June Winter Whale Fest Victor Harbor 1-30 June The Winter Whale fest is a month-long festival of fun and thoughtprovoking events, celebrating the annual migration of Southern right whales to the Fleurieu Peninsula. Located in Victor Harbor, join the festival and experience the passion the Fleurieu community has for the protection of our coastal landscapes and marine environment. https://winterwhalefest.com.au Gutsy 2025 Afterparty The Penneshaw Pub, Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island 6-8 June, 6.30pm-8.30pm The Penneshaw Pub will again be home to the Gutsy 2025 Afterparty and everyone is invited! This free event will showcase the best Kangaroo Island has to offer with a range of food and drink specials available each night. And there’s live entertainment by local musicians and tastings from some of the island’s awardwinning artisans. penneshawpub.com.au…

Growing from seed takes patience. There’s no shortcut, no guarantee, just nurturing and the quiet work of time. To do so is to believe in possibility. It’s not just about having faith that flowers will bloom, it’s about watching life take root season by season. There is a growing business on Old Coach Road in Aldinga called Native Avenue, a fresh-cut native flower farm and wholesale business. Ali and Dain McLeavey are the smiles behind the blooms. Following a dream to work the land in a way that aligned with their values and allowed them to work for themselves, Ali and Dain secured the Aldinga property in 2018. They saw a blank canvas and the opportunity for a new lifestyle in the dusty, ten-acre block. They started with about five-hundred…

Cove Landing Marina Apartments, situated by picturesque Christmas Cove in Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, offer sophisticated yet relaxed accommodation for visitors seeking both contemporary comfort and sweeping coastal views. Officially opened in 2024, this boutique accommodation comprises three spacious, self-contained, two-bedroom apartments. Each is named after vessels that played pivotal roles in connecting the island community to the mainland: The SS Karatta, The SS James Comrie, and The YC Lily May. Designed with modern elegance, the apartments feature panoramic outlooks, floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies that frame stunning scenes of the Backstairs Passage and the Christmas Cove Marina. Each accommodates up to four guests and is stylishly appointed with sleek, modern furnishings, a fully equipped kitchen, and a range of contemporary amenities to ensure a relaxing and memorable stay. For…

If you live on the Fleurieu Peninsula, you may have noticed a significant shift in the local real estate landscape with a number of Harcourt’s offices rebranding to Harris Real Estate. On the Southern Fleurieu Harris South Coast, Managing Directors Mark and Sam Forde have steered their team through this smooth and strategic rebranding without missing a beat. According to Mark and Sam, this isn’t a departure from their mission – it’s the next chapter under a trusted South Australian brand with a continuation of their people-focused service and strong community values. A major advantage of joining Harris has been access to a centralised statewide database, a leap forward from the segmented franchise system. This interconnectedness significantly enhances the agency’s ability to connect buyers and sellers across the region, particularly…

01. Colour SA Colour SA is trusted across the Fleurieu and South Australia for delivering exceptional finishes. Their expertise covers everything from classic painting techniques to advanced wood treatments. Check out The Dune House on page 58. For renovations, their dustless sanding technology keeps your space virtually dust free, offering peace of mind and a cleaner, more respectful experience throughout your project. Product featured: Wood cladding selected to weather naturally, allowing the building to recede visually into its environment over time. To aid this process, a high-performance timber stabiliser was used to enhance the timber’s natural greying and reduce the risk of cupping or splitting. Expertly applied by Brad and the Colour SA team. coloursa.com.au 02. Intime Kitchens & Interiors Known across the Fleurieu and South Australia, Intime Kitchens delivers…

There’s something quietly powerful about life on the Fleurieu – where food, landscape and creativity intersect in a way that is both grounded and inspiring. As the seasons shift and winter rains (hopefully) replenish our rivers, vines and soils, we’re reminded that this region offers more than beauty. It holds meaning – in how we live, create and connect. In this issue of Fleurieu Living Magazine, we celebrate that richness. Through stories that bring people and places into sharp, beautiful focus, we explore what it means to honour heritage while embracing progress. Whether it’s over long lunches at vineyards, teeing off on clifftop fairways or visiting local shops and galleries, the Fleurieu way of life invites a deeper engagement with the world around us – one rooted in authenticity, seasonality…

‘We can’t really understand the beauty of things until we’ve experienced the grit,’ says Rose Kentish. ‘I’m really interested in the grit of life, not glossing over the hard parts. I think it helps you appreciate the beauty.’ We’re surrounded by beauty in the kitchen of the historic Mill at Middleton that Rose and her family call home. The property, in the heart of the township, is both simultaneously cavernous and comforting. Vast, rough-hewn beams support the lofty ceiling of the 175-year-old building, while vibrant colour and personality fill every corner of the space. Rose is making me a coffee using a Sunbeam coffee machine which, she assures me, makes excellent coffee despite its modest price tag. This simple act offers a glimpse into the life Rose and her husband…

As the crisp August air settles over the Fleurieu Peninsula, a culinary celebration unfolds that promises to warm both heart and soul. The Fleurieu Food Festival 2025, running from 1 to 31 August, invites food enthusiasts, families and travellers to embark on a month-long gastronomic journey through one of South Australia’s most picturesque regions. This year’s festival is set to be the most expansive yet, with more than fifty events showcasing the rich tapestry of local flavours. From the bustling Willunga Farmers Market to intimate vineyard dinners, the festival offers something for every palate. With events suitable for all ages and interests, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in the best of South Australian cuisine and culture. Indulge in hands-on culinary adventures like mozzarella making or global spice blending, mushroom…

Just off the coast of mainland Fleurieu lies a destination ranked second in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024. Still, many of us here in South Australia are yet to make the short journey. Join us as we uncover the authentic wonder of Kangaroo Island in the first of a series of sensory-rich excursions to this unforgettable place. As winter turns the southern skies crisp and clear, discover the untamed beauty of Kangaroo Island, where dramatic landscapes and immersive experiences meet a thriving food, wine and arts scene that more than earns its place on the global stage. Touring this vibrant island during the quieter months offers something truly special: the chance to slow down and connect with warm, welcoming locals and passionate producers whose hospitality transforms each stop into…

For many, the pull of a big city and a career at its peak would be impossible to leave. But for one of South Australia’s most endearing media personalities, the path to success has taken an unexpected turn: straight back home. After years in the spotlight, both on the footy field and behind the microphone, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald has returned to the charming seaside town of Port Noarlunga – the place where he kicked his first footy, did his first jetty jump, and forged lifelong friendships. Born in Loxton in the Riverland, Fitzy, along with his mum Claire and dad Mick, relocated to Christie Downs. Joining the Port Noarlunga Football Club was a family affair. Ryan joined the under 13s, Mick was the coach and Claire was a mainstay in…

Getting that magazine-quality look for your home seems easy enough until you try it. There’s the accumulation of stuff from over the years, the sentimental doodads, the mismatched furniture, the scratches and marks of living. In the chaos of everyday life, the absence of harmonious, clean style may not matter so much. Not so when you’re selling your property or trying to attract visitors to your holiday house or Airbnb property. That’s when style is not just a matter of taste and comfort, but also of investment. ‘Property styling is not an expense, it is an investment that offers real returns,’ says Hayley Cooper, co-owner of property styling company Cooper Style Co. ‘Purchasing a property comes down to a feeling, so does choosing where you’ll stay on your next vacation.…

There’s a gentle sense of calm that surrounds the Fleurieu Lavender stall, an iconic feature of the Willunga Farmers Market. Perhaps it’s the soothing aroma of its beautifully crafted, lavender-infused products that adorn their stall. Or maybe it’s the quiet peace that comes from a family that has found purpose in what they do. Margaret Norman and Rooney Upton began to grow lavender on their picturesque property on Tuit Road in Maslin Beach in 1999. The land had been in the family for generations, with Margaret’s father, a passionate environmentalist, revegetating the area and building their family home, which featured innovative sustainable design elements well ahead of their time. Rooney, a QANTAS aircraft maintenance engineer, and Margaret, a nurse counsellor, began to feel a growing desire for a different kind…

How are you connected to the community? I feel incredibly lucky to have lived such a buoyant life on the Fleurieu. Home is in the scenic township of Port Noarlunga where my husband David and I are raising our two boys, Mac and Jimmy. David and I own Bio Fit, a gym based in Noarlunga, just minutes from home. Through our business, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with so many amazing people in the local community. Across the water, my connection continues. My family has holidayed on Kangaroo Island for most of my life. What began as boating adventures exploring the island’s pristine coastlines has evolved into something even more special. My family now owns tourism accommodation, Cove Landing, nestled in picturesque Christmas Cove, which is also our go-to…

Embrace the chill with our curated buyer’s guide, showcasing locally sourced treasures from independent retailers across the Fleurieu. Here is just a sampling of what is available at these local businesses. Wrap up in soft scarves, cosy jumpers and statement coats, or accessorise with handcrafted earrings, snug gloves and stylish beanies. Add a touch of comfort with hand-poured candles, artisan ceramics and insulated flasks – perfect for fireside sipping. Gifting or indulging, each item supports local retailers and makers and brings a little warmth to the season. Discover pieces with soul, style and a story – all close to home. Fill your home with handmade treasures and boutique finds from some of our favourite local retailers. Step out in style this winter in locally sourced layers. Adorn your home with…

This story of inspired community connection begins like most things do on the Fleurieu – with a coffee catch-up. Sarah Macmahon was new to the area and seeking ways to connect with likeminded people. At the local gym she joined, she met fitness instructor Aaron Bilecki. After one session, during a caffeine-aided conversation, Aaron made a simple observation: The south coast needs a place for connection. In that moment, positive forces collided and something special happened. From that simple thought, Aaron got to work and created The Wellness Wave. He joined forces with local breathworker Nick Braiotta, who had previously organised an ice bath and breathwork session at Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliot. They soon welcomed two other wellness facilitators: Baz Dewson, who had recently launched Float Away Mobile Saunas,…

More than seventeen years as a local farmer has helped Leo Reynolds, barrister and solicitor, shape Southern Vales Legal into a law practice that truly speaks the ‘local language’. ‘As a former sheep and crop farmer, I understand primary producers, I understand their language when they talk about things like broken or faulty farm equipment or animals doing stupid things,’ says Leo. Although he no longer lives on a farm, Leo’s been told he’s kept his farming habits – saving old tools, walking with a farming swagger, and checking the weather. Leo started out as a country lad, growing up on Mount Scott Station near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges. True to his agricultural roots, he studied at Urrbrae High when the family moved to Adelaide and, after his father…

In an era where science and technology are transforming nearly every aspect of our lives, Woodcroft College is making sure the next generation understands how innovation is reshaping the land that feeds us. The school’s annual Surf and Turf excursion, now in its second year, takes Year 10 students beyond the classroom to explore agriculture across the Fleurieu Peninsula – from wineries and strawberry fields to cutting-edge dairies. The excursion, says Head of Science Suneel Kookana, is designed with purpose. 'We want our students to see the real-world application of the science they’re learning – not just in theory, but in large-scale businesses using advanced technologies,' he explains. 'It’s about connecting education with community and showing the incredible innovation happening right here on the Fleurieu.' This year, students visited three…

We all know and love the iconic draw cards of the Fleurieu Peninsula – the geographical trifecta of stunning coastline, a superb wine region and a thriving culinary scene, all tied together by the charming community in between. But what’s less commonly known, though well established, is that this region also boasts some of the best golf courses in Australia – offering the game at its most graceful. And with renewed interest in the sport, golf is having a moment once again. According to Golf Australia’s 2023-24 Golf Participation Report, a record 3.8 million adults played some form of golf last year – whether on traditional courses, driving ranges or simulators. Club memberships have soared by nineteen per cent over the past five years, with junior and female participation seeing…