🇦🇺 Accessible Frontiers: Wineries & Hospitality in South Australia (Part 2)

Welcome back to our mission! After exploring the wild coastlines of Kangaroo Island, we’ve headed to the mainland to tackle the sophisticated side of South Australia. This leg is all about the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale experience, testing the accessibility of world-famous wineries and the sleek rooftop bars of Adelaide.

A Quick Reality Check from Sam: “For this part of the trip, I found myself on crutches. It’s a completely different experience from being on two stable feet, you notice things like floor textures, the distance between seats, and how heavy doors actually are. Navigating gravel in the Barossa on crutches is a workout in itself!”

1. Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop (Barossa Valley)

An absolute staple for any food lover. While the shop is iconic, it’s also over 40 years old, which brings some unique character and some access hurdles.

• Inclusivity: The Shop, Eatery, and experience spaces (like the studio kitchen) are designed to be level and navigable.
• Sam’s Reality Check: 
  • Surfaces: Expect bricks and gravel rather than smooth pavement.
  • Entry: There is a small lip at the Farm Shop door that might be a struggle for larger scooters.
  • Tastings: You can do wine and gin tastings in the Farm Shop, and tables are movable to accommodate wheelchairs.
  • The accessible toilets are located inside the main male and female blocks.

2. Seppeltsfield Winery (Barossa Valley)

This isn’t just a winery; it’s a “tourism village” with a history dating back to 1851. It is stunningly beautiful, but its age means accessibility is “integrated” rather than “universal.”

• Accessible Navigation: The estate has designated disabled parking bays and ramps leading to the Cellar Door, FINO Restaurant, and JamFactory studios.
• Modified Luxury: You can’t get a wheelchair into the historic Centennial Cellar, but Seppeltsfield offers a private tasting of their 100-year-old Para Vintage Tawny in a dedicated accessible area so you don’t miss out.
• Sam’s Notes: The grounds are gorgeous but the paths are a mix of paved bricks and gravel, often quite uneven. Look for ramps toward the side and back of the property if the main front access looks difficult.

3. Beerenberg Family Farm Shop, Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills)

Located just on the edge of the historic German village of Hahndorf, the Beerenberg Family Farm Shop is an iconic destination for food lovers. This sixth-generation family farm is famous for its “pick-your-own” strawberry experience (seasonal from November to April) and its world-class range of jams, chutneys, and sauces.

The modern visitor centre, which opened in 2022, features a beautiful farm shop where you can sample and stock up on their full range of products, including exclusive items not found in supermarkets. The on-site Farm Café and Dairy offer a seasonal menu alongside their signature house-made ice cream.

Accessibility Information Beerenberg is committed to providing an inclusive experience for all visitors:

• Seamless Access: The Farm Shop, Farm Café, and Dairy are all fully wheelchair accessible with wide, step-free pathways and spacious interiors that are easy to navigate.
• Facilities: There are dedicated accessible parking spaces located close to the entrance and accessible bathroom facilities on-site.
• Terrain Note: While the main visitor centre and shop are modern and flat, access to the strawberry patch can be a reasonable distance from the shop via a long gravel path or sloping, uneven ground, which may be challenging for those who use mobility aids.

4. d’Arenberg Winery (McLaren Vale)

Established in 1912, d’Arenberg is one of the most iconic and eccentric wineries in South Australia’s McLaren Vale. Now led by fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn, the estate is famous for its “outside the box” approach most notably embodied by the d’Arenberg Cube.

This five-storey architectural marvel, inspired by the complexities of winemaking, houses a sensory museum, a tasting room with panoramic views, and an art gallery featuring the largest Salvador Dalí exhibition outside of Europe. Beyond the spectacle, d’Arenberg remains deeply traditional, continuing to use 19th-century basket presses and foot-treading for its world-renowned reds.

Wheelchair Accessibility d’Arenberg is highly committed to being an inclusive destination. The winery and the Cube are designed to be fully accessible, featuring:

• The Cube Lift: A central elevator provides access to all public levels, including the ground-floor museum and the top-floor tasting room. The lift features braille buttons, audio announcements, and high-contrast signage.
• Navigable Spaces: The building is designed with wide doorways, level flooring, and ramped access from designated disabled parking bays.
• Dining & Tastings: Both the Sensorial Circus Cafe and the tasting rooms offer moveable seating to comfortably accommodate wheelchair users.
• Companion Cards: d’Arenberg is a participant in the Companion Card program, offering free entry for carers when accompanied by a cardholder.

Sam’s Notes “This place is amazing! And the Cube is very accessible with lifts to all floors. My tip: start at level 4 for the wine tasting and work your way down each level.

• Facilities: There is a large accessible toilet located on level 2.
• Terrain: While the Cube is smooth, the car park and access to the outside buildings are gravel and on a slight incline.
• Sensory Note: Because each level is designed to excite the senses—including a 360-degree video room and tactile exhibits—it might be a bit overwhelming or overly stimulating for someone with ASD or sensory issues.”

5. 2KW Bar & Restaurant (Adelaide City)

Perched on the 8th floor at 2 King William Street, this is arguably the best view in the city. It’s a premium rooftop spot that manages to be both upmarket and remarkably inclusive.

• Entry & Lifts: Access is via a lift. There is a ramp at the ground floor entrance (between 2KW and Fishbank) to get you to the elevator complex.
• The Experience: The 8th-floor layout is spacious enough for electric wheelchairs, and the staff are famously accommodating.
• Sam’s Pro-Tips: * The rooftop bar is walk-in only; you can only book the indoor restaurant.
  • The Toilet Situation: It’s on Level 7, so you have to take the lift down one floor.
  • Seating: Rooftop booths have bench seating which can be tricky. My best bet was wheeling (or crutching) over to the couch area near the bar for more room.

What’s Next for Sam in South Australia?

South Australia is proving that luxury and inclusivity can go hand-in-hand. From rooftop cocktails in the city to heritage ports in the Barossa, we are charting a more accessible future for every traveller.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we dive into the best of Adelaide’s wildlife and city stays, including:

• Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Safari Park & Cleland Wildlife Park 🐨

• Big Heart Adventures (for verified inclusive wellness and nature experiences)

• Majestic M Suites & the state-of-the-art U City apartments