Discover a day of ‘wine and bridles’ – the new must-do experience in the Adelaide Hills
Adelaide’s savvy city slickers are heading into the Adelaide Hills for a combination experience that’s hard to beat: a bracing stint in the saddle followed by a long lunch at a local winery.
Megan Jones Riding School, Hahndorf
Run by Olympian, Megan Jones, Kirby Park Stud near Hahndorf offers trail rides across the 100-acre property off River Road.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday
Cost: $95 per person
Trot off to a winery for lunch: Sidewood Estate, Somerled Wines, Hahndorf Hill Winery, The Lane Vineyard (all Hahndorf).
Classic Carriage Drives, Montacute
If you’re not up to riding you can enjoy much of the same experience thanks to Classic Carriage Drives. Located in Montacute, it regularly offers 45-minute rides along Fifth Creek in Montacute Valley – a sublime stretch of forest, vines, market gardens and paddocks.
Open: Rides are offered weekends and weekdays, times are flexible
Cost: $180 per 45 minute carriage ride (seating up to 6 passengers)
Trot off to a winery for lunch: Greenhill Wines Cellar Door & Café (Summertown) and the Uraidla Hotel (featuring the region’s largest wine collection).
Petaluma Wines Horse Experiences
Boasting some of the best panoramic views in the region, the Petaluma & Coser Cellar Door has teamed up with the Megan Jones Riding School to offer a range of horse riding and wine experiences with their stunning vineyards as the backdrop.
With experiences ranging from a guided Horse Trail Ride and Tasting to a more Romantic Private Package for two and even a VIP Trail Ride and Lunch with Olympian Megan Jones herself, saddling up here is a genuine feast for the senses.
Open: 7 days a week (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day and Good Friday
Cost: From $180 to $450 per person, with tours ranging from 180 minutes to 2 hours.