Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2025 i Fleurieu Living Magazine

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS September Victor Harbor Rock ‘N’ Roll Festival Warland Reserve, Victor Harbor 19-21 September Three days of family fun across Warland Reserve and nearby spots. Enjoy markets, food vans and Shannon’s Show ‘N’ Shine with 200+ classic and custom vehicles. Victor Harbor buzzes with music all day and most of the night. Check out rocknrollfestival.com.au. Grenache & Gourmet Festival Various locations, McLaren Vale 19 September-6 October The Grenache & Gourmet Festival invites you to savour McLaren Vale. Enjoy seasonal lunches, exclusive tastings and behind-thescenes winery experiences, perfect for wine and food lovers who appreciate the artisanship and stories behind each bottle. Explore the program at grenacheandgourmet.com.au. Nature Festival Various locations 26 September-12 October Celebrate the theme of Flow at the family-friendly Festival of Nature with art, music, food…

The quiet, sheltered waters of Eastern Cove make it the ideal spot for an oyster farm. Shellfish farming must be in the Packer family blood. Todd is no stranger to these shores – more than thirty years ago, he worked for seafood company A Raptis & Sons when they were setting up to farm mussels. ‘I helped set up the very first lines here,’ he recalls. ‘There were no sheds – this was all just a big carpark.’ Todd went on to complete an Advanced Diploma in Aquaculture at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre. Marisa, meanwhile, came from a background in the medical and tourism industries. Though not directly involved in aquaculture early on, she helped manage the books when they were starting out in Port Lincoln. Todd was among…

Celebrate our specialty retailers who invite you to slow down and shop consciously, embracing sustainable living through a warm, community-focused experience.…

And extraordinarily, age after age, its ability to heal us has been recorded, with cultures uniquely moulding their own musical ways of healing. The Ancient Greeks employed musical ‘modes’ to heal specific ailments. The seven-stringed instrument, qin, has nurtured the connection between the human heart and health since the earliest Chinese dynasties. India birthed Nada Yoga, using aligned sounds to heal the mind and body. Today, the practice of music therapy quietly heals as it always has. This modern approach has naturally courted a modern language. The Australian Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as ‘the planned and creative use of music to attain, maintain and progress the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of people of all ages’. Through her practice, local music therapist Rebecca Reyna witnesses the humanity…

01. Five Acres Landscaping With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and outstanding customer service, Five Acres Landscaping provides expert landscaping solutions across the Fleurieu Peninsula. Owned and operated by Victor Harbor local Max Longhurst, the business is dedicated to creating beautiful, functional and sustainable outdoor spaces for homeowners and businesses alike. Specialising in hardscaping, stonework, retaining, garden design and large-scale tree removal or installation, every project spells craft with attention to detail and care for the natural environment. Featured project: A charming limestone turret forms the standout feature of this character-filled custom home in the Beyond Development at Chiton. Encasing the staircase, the deep stone structure is punctuated with carefully placed portholes, meticulously installed by Max and his team to add a touch of quirk and architectural intrigue. Max…

Nature is awe-inspiring, beautiful and fragile. As we write, our region faces the challenge of the algal bloom on our coastline. In the words of world-renowned shark expert Charlie Huneevers: ‘It’s affected the entire marine ecosystem with many invertebrates and fishes also affected, including threatened species. We don’t yet know the long-term impact of the algal bloom or whether we’ll see a secondary die-off later. There’s so much we don’t know.’ Despite this uncertainty we remain hopeful of a strong recovery, guided by the resilience of our environment, government support and the scientists working hard to understand and respond. While algal bloom will eventually dissipate naturally, the timing is uncertain and monitoring efforts continue. In the meantime we can all help by patronising small businesses on the coast. You can’t…

Or maybe that’s just my local bias talking. Either way, let me show you why ‘Porties’, as we locals call it, is well worth a day trip, or better yet, the perfect home base for a full Fleurieu weekend escape. Lined by red sandstone cliffs, rich with the sound of waves rolling over the reef, speared by an historic jetty, Port Noarlunga beach is a natural showstopper. At first glance, it’s easy to think that’s where the magic ends – but beyond lazy beach strolls and the underwater wonderland revealed to scuba divers and snorkellers, you’ll find a vibrant township alive with creative energy and indulgence. Two great new additions add to Port Noarlunga’s premium tourism appeal. The recently completed Witton Bluff Base Trail, a 1.1km accessible coastal pathway, now…

Somehow Vino Bozo landed the best job around, tasting some unreal examples of bubbles from the Fleurieu, how good! With the record button pressed down we let the good times roll, popped some corks, broke some crown seals and took a glance into the effervescence. With amazing wine made by some amazing humans, we’d like to boast that gold was uncovered. Check out the Vino Bozo podcast for what we are calling two of our best podcasts yet. Massive love to Fleurieu and its producers. Now, get your glasses out, it’s time to get bubbly. Lake Breeze Wines Langhorne Creek 2021 Blanc de Blancs One word? Insane. This Langhorne Creek Chardonnay, made in the traditional method, hits that perfect equilateral triangle balance of acidity, fruit and texture. Integrated toastiness mingles…

Trolleys in tow and kids weaving through the crowd, shoppers happily line up for a chance to stock up on Sarina and Francesco’s fresh, seasonal produce. Among stalls selling artisan products, ready-made hot food, boutique wines and lively demonstrations, it’s this humble veggie stall that consistently draws a crowd. If you’re a regular at the market, you’ve likely spotted eager shoppers patiently waiting for the opening bell before running to Virgara’s Garden to grab their chosen produce before it sells out. Sarina’s parents were market gardeners who sold their produce to shops through the Adelaide East End Market and later in Pooraka. Originally based in Myponga, they relocated to Willunga in the mid-1980s, where they have continued farming ever since. As demand for their produce grew, they expanded by purchasing…

To mark the milestone, the festival is going all out with its most ambitious program yet – headlined by a landmark exhibition, a new-look art fair, and a vibrant statewide takeover across twenty-five partner venues. At the heart of the anniversary celebrations is Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi, opening at AGSA on 17 October. The show brings together more than two-hundred pivotal works from the gallery’s collection, all created by First Nations artists and acquired through Tarnanthi since its launch in 2015. Curated by Barkandji artist and Tarnanthi’s long-time artistic director Nici Cumpston, Too Deadly is both a powerful retrospective and a dynamic remix – placing works in fresh dialogue, spotlighting excellence and setting the stage for the festival’s next decade. The name Tarnanthi comes from the language of…

When we eventually meet for lunch in a café at Port Noarlunga, Charlie Huveneers is surprisingly calm and relaxed. It’s a quiet contrast to the frantic pace he’s been working at since early 2025. ‘This summer was really different,’ he explains. ‘The warm weather and calm conditions meant we expected that a marine heatwave was likely. But we never expected such an intense, harmful algal bloom. Then surfers began reporting respiratory problems after being in the water and by March we started receiving news of sharks, rays and other marine life washing ashore.’ The toll has been grim. One community database has recorded more than nineteen-hundred dead Fiddler Rays, with dead sharks and other species of rays also all too common sightings. ‘It’s affected the entire marine ecosystem with many…

Eric Varga, MV2, Noarlunga Eric brings visitors to the Coffee Factory because of the beach and the culture down here. ‘I want them to experience our lifestyle.’ Brenton (Preecey), Preece’s Surf Shop Preecey brings visitors to the Star of Greece for ‘good food and good views’. Ariel Moore, Local Ariel likes Chalk Hill Winery because of the scenic views and the vibes. ‘It is very green and open and their wine is the best.’ Michael Russo, Owner of the Coffee Factory ‘I would probably go to Drifters or Pizzateca because they make nice pizza and I like the energy and the quality and the ingredients are good.’ Jo Headon, Artist Jo would go to Noori for a drink. ‘The vibe is good, they have good drinks. It’s all about local.’…

As a food and wine writer, it is impossible to choose a favourite South Australian region. I love them all for their individual landscapes, agricultural heartbeat, quirky characters, rich history, evocative vineyards and, of course, the wines they produce. The Fleurieu Peninsula, however, is the place I call home. Says it all really. My photographer partner Ben and I live on a small farm, located between McLaren Vale’s rolling ranges and the Adelaide Hills. We straddle the lands of the Kaurna and the Peramangk people and as we work (me writing, him editing photographs) we look out over kangaroos grazing, blue wrens dancing and farmers moving their stock. High above, koalas laze in gum trees, while kookaburras cackle at the ridiculous beauty of it all. What a backdrop. Those of…

Whalers Rest Arguably the best-positioned holiday home on the Fleurieu, Whalers Rest is perched over the water, offering uninterrupted views across the bay and out to the islands. Nestled into the side of the Bluff, it’s a frontrow seat to nature – where whales glide by and sunsets feel close enough to touch. A truly magical escape. Photo by Evan Bailey. norfolkhouse.co The Gazebo Tucked high above Encounter Bay, The Gazebo is one of South Australia’s most secret and soulful stays. With sweeping panoramic views, an outdoor bath nestled among the trees, it’s the ultimate romantic escape. A hidden gem made for stargazing, slow mornings and reconnecting with nature. Photo by Lor Vis Media. norfolkhouse.co Wistow House A private hilltop escape, Wistow House is a beautifully restored architectural gem crafted…

Independent filmmaking is a rewarding challenge. The impetus for Kangaroo Island came from a love of the story, a desire to take a risk and an alignment of creative forces – with Sally’s screenplay at the heart of it. The story came from a raw place. ‘We were on holiday here and there was roadkill everywhere, and it sort of spoke to something that I was thinking about a lot and obsessing about a lot, and worrying about – just, you know, what does it all mean? Was there any purpose to life?’ says Sally. ‘I thought it would be interesting to examine that theme in the context of a family that’s experienced something that nobody would want to experience. And then, how do they go on to create a…

So dust off your rockin’ shoes because it’s time to hit the dance floor and make the most of the sounds of spring. For a start, check out what’s happening at these three great events. Dougstock: where music, nature and community converge Every December, as summer settles over the Fleurieu Peninsula, the hills of Willunga come alive with the sights and sounds of Dougstock, a boutique music and camping festival with a soul as rich as the McLaren Vale wine region it overlooks. Held on a private property on The Range, Dougstock offers panoramic views of Gulf St Vincent and some of the most captivating sunsets on the peninsula. Since it began in 2020 – originally a fortieth birthday celebration for founder Doug featuring artists like Chris Finnen and Velvet…

Now at the helm of operations at Noori wine bar in Port Noarlunga, Charlie channels her gift for calm and order into balancing the boundless energy (and occasional chaos) of its spirited owner, Jacob Barter. The pair first crossed paths in 2021, when Jacob was knee-deep in bringing Noori to life – ‘paint on eyelash, dust on lip and generally dishevelled’ is how he remembers it. Charlie was the welcoming face behind the counter at the Coffee Factory across the street. ‘Charlie served me coffee every morning … even with the day-to-day nonstopness, seeing Charlie was that little thing that made me feel levelled,’ recalls Barter. But behind her smile and genuine care for others, Charlie has been fighting the debilitating effects of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. In 2021,…