Kid Friendly Dining
Kids are at their happiest (and quietest) when they’re eating and there’s plenty in the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast pantry.
The region is known for its selection of bakeries where a pasty or sausage roll goes a long way to hitting the spot.
Then of course there’s dessert – who can resist a doughnut, with chocolate or sprinkles of course, or an award winning vanilla slice (you will find a few across the region) or a magnificent cream bun with jam and whipped cream.
You may have just licked your lips!
If you are looking for something a little more substantial, there are some great pubs, cafés, restaurants and cellar doors that offer a dedicated kids menu. Be sure to check out the following kid-friendly dining venues:
In need of Kid Friendly Cellar Doors?
A Great Day Out
Not sure where to go or what to do. We have put a jammed packed day together for you on the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast.
Pack the kids and the dog (but only if you have one) and enjoy a great day out.
Morning
If you’re here on a weekend, take the kids to Willunga Farmers Market for the morning (open every Saturday). The farmers and producers are always happy to chat to kids about their farm-fresh produce. Settle in for some brekky and a coffee afterwards, if time permits.
There’s a collection of cafes close by that are great for little ones too. In Willunga, try, The Farm, The Golden Fleece Cafe and The Green Room - all kid-friendly with lovely outdoor courtyards. In McLaren Vale, there's the Tin Shed, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre Cafe and Manna Cafe. Towards the coast, try The Flour Store in Port Noarlunga.
Lunch
While many of the region’s cafes are great for lunch, there’s also a collection of bakeries, restaurants and cellar doors that welcome kids and furry friends. Home Grain Bakery in Aldinga and McLaren Flat are great for a traditional bakery lunch, as well as The Cottage Bakery in McLaren Vale and the Willunga Bakery.
When it comes to cellar doors, Ekhidna offers beautiful lawns for the kids to roam, as well as lunch, wine and beer for parents, while Paxton Wines have plenty of family-friendly casual food options and lawns for you to sit and soak up the beautiful views while the little ones run off all of their energy.
Pit Stop
If you’re after something to do between wine tastings and meal-times, there’s plenty of fun pit-stops along the way that’ll keep everyone happy and occupied. Maxwell Wines in McLaren Vale not only offer a beautiful cellar door, winery and restaurant, but they also have an enormous maze that’s popular with local and visiting little ones alike. At Woodstock Winery, you can feed the kangaroos that live on the property (feeding time is 11:30am daily) while Willunga Creek Wines offers a nine-hole mini golf course.
Another unique experience for the kids is Adelaide Biplanes where you can perch in their cosy cafe adjacent to the airfield and watch the vintage planes take off and land right before your eyes.
For something a little more relaxing for parents, head to one of the region’s family-friendly cellar doors. Gemtree Wines is home to one of the most popular playgrounds as well as Gus and Caruso the resident alpacas, which means you can sit back and relax while the kids play. Fox Creek Wines also offer a kids treasure hunt to little winery-goers, while Angoves Family Winemakers have lawn games fit for the whole family.
Evening
With a wide range of pubs, casual eateries and fine dining options, the region will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect place for a family dinner. If you’re after a simple pub classic, you can’t go past the iconic Willunga Hotel or the Old Bush Inn in Willunga. Mick O’Shea’s Irish pub (Hackham) has plenty of children’s meal options and communal lawns for the kids to play on while you sip some of their craft brews. Also the picturesque Victory Hotel restaurant boasts stunning views, a lawn for kids (right next to the dining area) and special menu for little ones too.
A range of other regional restaurants also feature feasts for the little ones including Star of Greece in Port Willunga, Mama Carmela in Port Noarlunga and Oscars in McLaren Vale.
Top Beaches in SA
Looking for your next beach adventure south of Adelaide?
McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast has you covered!
This gorgeous part of the world is home to some of the best seaside villages on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and indeed, South Australia.
Beaches – we have them in spades, and they are perfect for sand castle making too!
There’s also great swimming, snorkelling, diving, surfing, fishing, exploring rock pools and the simple pleasures like looking for shells.
So grab your hats, sunnies, sunscreen, swim wear and towels and head to one of the Fleurieu’s beaches.
Whatever you and your family love doing, we’ve got a beach just for you.
Here’s what families tell us they love about their favourite beach…
Aldinga Beach
Drive on beach, BBQ, beach cricket and top rock pools.
Christies Beach
Safe swimming and surfing, great food and drink options so close to the foreshore, local caravan park provides direct beach access.
Maslin Beach
Perfect for pooch parents - dog friendly, magnificent rugged red cliffs are the backdrop to the sea. (image Shav Bird)
Moana Beach
Great beach break, hot spot for beginner surfers, local caravan park provides direct beach access. (Image - Jocelyn Kahawai)
Port Noarlunga
Exploring the reef, walking along the jetty, fishing, exploring the rock pools, great seaside village so close to the beach.
Port Willunga
Exploring the old jetty and fishermen’s caves, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, safe swimming, fish and chips from the Star of Greece Port Willy Kiosk over summer.
Sellicks Beach
Drive on beach, picnics, beach cricket, epic coastline view, looking for shells.
South Port Beach
Kayaking, canoeing and splashing about in the Onkaparinga River, the incredible views from the lookout at the top of the iconic staircase, swimming, surf lessons.
To discover all of the aquatic adventures on McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast, visit our beaches page.
Best Playgrounds in Southern Adelaide
Looking for the best playgrounds south of Adelaide? You’re in the right spot.
The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is packed with parks that’ll keep the kids happy for hours - and give parents a chance to relax too.
Whether it’s a quiet corner with a swing and a slide, or an epic adventure playground with climbing towers, rope bridges, flying foxes and more, this region has no shortage of options.
You’ll find parks dotted from the coast to the hills, many with walking paths, bike trails, shaded areas and BBQs for an easy family day out.
Some playgrounds are right by the beach or river, others are nestled beside cafés or visitor centres, and a few feature quirky surprises - from life-size storybook characters to old army tanks and local wildlife sculptures.
They’re designed to fuel imaginations and burn energy, while still offering somewhere scenic and safe to play.
So whether you’ve got toddlers, teens or just want to stretch your legs somewhere new, check out our list of top playgrounds in Southern Adelaide and start planning your next outdoor adventure.
Check out our list of the best playgrounds in South Australia's McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast:
- Jubilee Park Adventure Playground, Port Noarlunga
- Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Morphett Vale
- McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitors Centre Nature Play, McLaren Vale
- Frank Hilton Reserve, Maslin Beach
- Market Square, Old Noarlunga
- Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale (large conifer maze)
- Rotary Park, Christies Beach
- Thalassa Park including the storybook walk, Aberfoyle Park
- Woodstock Wines, McLaren Vale
- Gemmel Tassie Park, McLaren Vale (huge army tank and interactive augmented reality space – Magical Park)
Don’t forget nature playgrounds too – choose between a collection of wetlands, creeks and beaches.
More exploring to do?! Jump on to Route 31 Coastal Drive
Family Friendly
Family Friendly Things to Do in McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast for All Ages
Fun for the whole family – that’s little kids, big kids and every age in between.
With plenty of playgrounds, a maze in a vineyard, kangaroo feeding, airfield aerobatics and more, we can’t guarantee that it is just the kids that will have all of the fun - parents seem to have a pretty good time too!
And when we say more, think adventure playgrounds, parks, and reserves.
Or, head to one of the Fleurieu’s beautiful beaches, for safe swimming, fishing, surfing, paddle boarding, snorkelling, diving, beach combing, or discovering the rock pools.
Hit one of the many trails in the area and take your pick from walking, rollerblading, scooting, mountain biking, hiking, horse riding or simply taking your pooch for a stroll along one of the dog-friendly paths.
Enjoy an easy ride by hiring an SAeBikes, hire from McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre Hire Hub.
You can also hire cargo eBikes, capable of carrying several children on the long seat behind the rider, eBikes with child seats, trailers, and tag-alongs for young riders
Still got energy to burn? What about more riding fun at a local skate park or BMX track.
Make sure you also build in a bit of ‘need to look after adult’ time too!
There are plenty of options where you can enjoy a glass of wine and casual platter, with just a touch of down time, while the kids are well occupied at a range of kid friendly cellar doors.
With lots to see and do, kids can run, play and run some more, all great preparation for a handy nights sleep!
