Thanks for the new responses Aussie Jo, Katierina, Neil, and Mike. We were kind of hoping that someone would say that it was preferable to spend the last two nights in the Adelaide hills simply because we wouldn't have to change lodging each night for four nights. But as it seems from your responses, a last night in Glenelg would be more desirable for two reasons. It is close to the airport and more importantly, it is a lovely place to stay with sea views that we otherwise might miss.

As for the horse drawn tour in VH, that might be a nice idea. I'll have to search to see the daily hours that it runs, and how much time we have.

I realize that at 16:00 (4PM) when we arrive in Adelaide, the museums will only be open for one more hour and it may take us close to an hour to get to our hoteland get settled. I think the gardens stay open until dusk, so we have a bit more time there. When is dusk in late April (23-27th)? I'm assuming, maybe incorrectly, that it could be 6 or 7 PM? Hopefully we'll be able to take in the gardens that evening, saving the museums until Saturday morning, before we get the car around noon. A short drive into the Clare Valley may happen, but I'm not sure just how far we'll get in that wine region. Overall, I think we need to say longer in the Adelaide area. There's just to much to do and see.

Thanks for the info to visit the "Cedars". We might do that. The accommodations at the Warrawong seemed too expensive for what you get, if you don't intend on spending extened time there enjoying the surroundings. We only be there for a quick night's sleep, getting up early the next morning and heading for VH, so we won't be getting the unique benefit of what it has to offer. We would like to stay nearby though, so I'm continuing my search for accommodations. Thanks again. Kathy

Kathy, Adelaide sunrise/sunset times are as follows:
23 Apr, 06:46 - 17:42 hrs
27 Apr, 06:49 - 17:39 hrs
(Source:http://members.iinet.net.au/~jacob/risesetade.html)
If your flight's ETA is 16:00 I would think you'll have to sprint to make it.

We were in Oz about 18 mos. ago and our trip to Adelaide area was great. We too debated about whether to land and drive to Barossa and that's actually what we ended up doing. It was dark and raining but we made it to Tanunda very easily. Highly recommend www.bnbbookings.com/bella.htm. You can get your very own stone house. Just wonderful--we stayed three nights in Tanunda and loved it. We then drove down through Adelaide Hills and McClaren Vale for tasting and touring Hahndorf. We stayed at a B&B (Myoora) in Adelaide as well. Great restaurants in Adelaide.

Well it looks like we need to do some major adjustments to our schedule. If we arrive at 4PM on Friday and everything we want to do closes around 5 or at sunset, which falls within the same hour, then we'll just have dinner and stroll around the city that evening. We now believe it might be a better idea to return to city early on Monday to the city to see all that we want. That leaves just two days for the surrounding areas. We'll proceed with this new plan and see how it looks. PinotNoir, I think we'll stay the first night in Adelaide, that we're sure of, since the driving thing may stress us out at the beginning-- being our first time with Australian/British style. Thanks all.

Kathy:

Spend some time around McLaren Vale. They have a good wine country information center on the north edge of town with maps and pamphlets on area wineries and other attractions. For lunch, I would really recommend d'Arenburg Winery's restaurant d'Arry's Verandah. It has lovely views, good food and good wine. You can reserve through their website www.darenberg.com.au. I think the restaurant is somehow associated with the Salopian Inn, which is in town in McLaren Vale, so that you can have dinner there if lunch at the winery doesn't work for your itinerary.

Just across the road is an olive place that was fun (can't remember the exact name, but it had olive in the name.

Also north of town not too far from d'Arenburg are Chapel Hill Winery (a great old building) and Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards (great views and lots of family history). A little south of town is Hugh Hamilton Wines that has a lovely hilltop glass-enclosed tasting room. Unfortunately the day we tried to go there, they had a wedding reception booked, so I can't vouch for their wines. Check them out at www.hamiltonwines.com.au.

Over Christmas we stayed a week in the area south of Adelaide around Aldinga and loved it.

Thank you, kstrueh, for the restaurant and wineries suggestions. They sound wonderful--we'll definitely keep them in mind when we're around McLaren Vale. Although we're trying to fit a lot into a couple of days, and won't have much time, we do intend to include that area. Kathy

I really enjoyed my stay in Adelaide...most likely because I stayed with a born and bred boy from there.

There is a fantastic Italian restaurant near the downtown area if you are interested, I will ask my friend what the name was. I passed by the kitchen on the way to the toilets, and everyone was speaking loudly in Italian...it was a very jovial atmosphere. The food was excellent (we did 4 courses).

Glenelg is nice. I stayed in Henley Beach, which has a nice place for coffee right in the square. Not far from Glenelg, and a few minutes from the airport as well.

Enjoy the Barossa. My friend rented us a great cottage and we wine tasted for 3 days. It still wasn't enough. A cool new place that just opened their cellar doors a couple of months ago is Two Hands (They weren't even on the tourist map when we were there). Their Shiraz landed on Wine Spectator's top 100 of last year at spot #11. I also really enjoyed Charles Melton because you got to sit around a table and taste...very cozy place. Very different ambience than Two Hands.

Try some sparkling Shiraz if you get a chance...never had anything like it here in states, and it's really lovely.

Sparkling Shiraz? No I have never had that, but it sounds interesting? We'll try it! Also, we would like the name of that Italian restaurant in Adelaide if you don't mind. It now looks like we'll spend the first night as well as the last day/night in Adelaide--so well be eating. (We keep reworking this itinerary) The two days in between (Sat & Sun) we'll split between the Barossa, Adelaide hills, and McLaren Vale area. I think we won't have time to go to Victor Harbor, but I don't want to completely rule it out. According to one wesite, it appears that on April 24, the Saturday we'll be in the area, the town will be celebrating with a heritage festival. That might be nice to see. Crazymina, thank you for the other winery suggestions as well. Kathy

OK...I will email my friend on the name of the restaurant. He doesn't have access too often, so it may be a few days before I get a reply.

Here's his reply:

La Trattoria Restaurant and Pizza Bar
346 King William Street
Adelaide
Phone : 82123327

King William Street is the main street through the centre of town.


BTW, the prawn and avocado starter was to die for! The oysters are quite good too.

Thanks for the restaurant information. I do appreciate it. Kathy

Kathleen - I was born in Adelaide and although I haven't lived there for a long time I still remember The Coorong - a beautiful, wild place - I think Goolwa is the main town. It's where they made the movie "Storm Boy" - loads of birdlife, kangaroos and wombats.