With the most gorgeous panoramic views of vines and the Gulf St Vincent you will be feeling instantly relaxed on arrival and ready to kick back for an afternoon of grazing, acoustic tunes, wine tasting, lawn games and most importantly DONKEY pats! Yes, meet Pedro and Pinto! You can likely even score a carrot to feed them and the best news? Their donkey run has recently been extended so as they are now closer to the cellar door!

The beautiful knowledgeable staff will have you sorted in no time at all, and this is the perfect spot for families looking to enjoy a day out.

The wines are small batch and distinctive. Made with a whole lot of gentle love and nurturing by award winning winemaker Michael Sexton. They are vibrant and bright and celebrate the authentic naturally occurring characters of each variety and vintage.

The cellar door was undoubtedly designed with families in mind, offering a quality, creative and delicious kids’ lunch option that will keep little people happy. You can’t go wrong with crispy real chicken bites and hand cut fries, served with a cute fun sized chocolate on the side, plus these meals come with a juice box and the serving is big enough for bigger kids too.

Now, don’t expect the kids to sit around for too long – ours couldn’t keep away from the friendly donkey’s, they also danced and played games on the lawns, took Uno out to one of the picnic rugs, enjoyed spotting ducks and also bombed around with other kids for some winery lawn community fun.

When it comes to outdoor space, Main and Cherry Cellar Door truly shines. There’s plenty of room for kids to burn around and be kids, out of the way and with in sight, making it easy for parents to relax with a glass of wine while their little ones play safely. The picturesque grounds are ideal for a laid-back afternoon. Adding to the welcoming vibe, Main and Cherry also hosts a great line-up of acoustic musicians, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere perfect for a family outing. Check their for details.

It was only upon departure that we realized they also offer craft beers, so we did the right thing and took a four-pack home to enjoy later!

Main anFor the beer lovers, there is a fun little beer collab of Main and Cherry x Prancing Pony ales. Sold!

Whether you’re there to enjoy the food, music, a guided tasting or simply the great atmosphere, this winery has everything you need for a beautiful quality, memorable day out. Even the coffee was brilliant!

PS They do well presented gift vouchers and we can’t imagine many people not loving this! Buy one

Location: 60 Grants Gully Road, Chandlers Hill, 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½, South Australia
Opening Times: Thursday to Mondays
Phone: 0474 015 349
Find them on  or 

Missing the yellow cow from the main street of Hahndorf? You’ll find it here, with the cute little Udder Delights Cheese Cellar tucked into this venue, where you can also enjoy great food, craft beer, wine, gin flights and a fun kids menu that can all be enjoyed in this super high quality. family-friendly space. Think umbrellas outdoors, a creek, expansive lawn, a cubby, a slack line for the kids to balance on and just room to explore.

When its cool, there is a delightful fireplace doing a great job of keeping the space warm and cosy, surrounded by couches. The main dining area, ā€˜The Great Hallā€™, includes tables, booths, bar tables, and also offers the ā€˜GrĆ¼nthal Greenhouseā€™ for private functions. When it’s sunny out, there are shady trees and umbrellas for days!

The at GrĆ¼nthal is definitely a big step up from standard brewery fare! There are a great range of small plates, pizzas, and specials on offer. Udder Delights cheeses are well represented, with a delicious cheese fondue, a ā€˜Too Cheesyā€™ deep dish pizza, and even the humble toastie is made with Truffle Cheddar. The pizza is next level. The real star of the menu for the kids was the dessert (of course) ā€“ an extra special sundae topped with Persian fairy floss.

They haven’t forgotten to cater for dietary options including vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free and vegan either!

For the grown ups, there is an extensive drinks menu including tea, coffee and iced drinks, wines, three varieties of GrĆ¼nthal Gin, cocktails and mocktails, and of course the extensive and delicious GrĆ¼nthal beer range, including eBeer – with a new brewing technology that you’ll love hearing about.

GrĆ¼nthal makes it super easy to cater for groups with a ā€œFeed my Groupā€, ā€œFeed my Partyā€ and ā€œFeed my Childā€ selection of items from the main menu.

The kids loved exploring the fantastic lawns on the bank of the Onkaparinga River. There is seating and shade on the raised terrace, and the lawns are accessible by both a ramp and stairs. We canā€™t think of a better place to lay down a picnic rug and enjoy a sunny afternoon watching the kids play while we had an uninterrupted adult catch up and all of the tasty things!

Before you depart, be sure to choose some gin, beer or wine to take home, and of course some of the many cheeses and trimmings on offer.

The indoor dining area is accessible with plenty of space to manoeuvre around tables and park prams. The female toilets allow enough room to leave a pram outside the cubicle door if required, and the accessible toilet is very roomy and has a full size change table, nappy disposal unit, and grab rails.

Ingenuity Baby Base seats are available to seat your little ones at the table – just another extra touch that makes this family day out so much easier.

Book it in, every one will be happy here!

GrĆ¼nthal Brew
Location: 827 Mount Barker Rd Verdun
Opening Hours:
Mon to Thurs 10am ā€“ 4pm / Fri to Sat 10am ā€“ 10pm / Sun & Public Holidays 10am to 5pm
Phone: 08 8388 1588 
Find them on  or 

But Beerenberg CafĆ© is so much more than its jaw-dropping shakes. The farm has a beautiful story. A rich family history spanning six generations that has woven much of the fabric of this great regionā€™s development. To this day, it remains 100% family owned, with all products made on-site. In the warmer months, strawberry picking at Beerenberg in Hahndorf is a bit of a South Australian rite of passage and yet somehow, weā€™d never stopped in at the gorgeous cafe… until now. Wow. Fresh, seasonal produce, a thoughtfully crafted menu, and flavour-packed dishes make it a must-visit for anyone heading to the Hills.

Standouts for us included:

• The Farmhouse Vienna ā€“ hearty, flavoursome, and everything a brioche roll with two smoked Vienna sausages, Beerenberg New York Deli Relish, chipotle ranch sauce, and beetroot sauerkraut should be. Served with cheese, crispy chips, and Beerenberg Green Tomato & Jalapeno Relish, itā€™s pure comfort on a plate.
• Strawberry & Burrata Salad ā€“ almost too pretty to eat. With peaches, cherry tomatoes, basil, Beerenberg Orange Marmalade, toasted seeds, and pomegranate dressing, this salad is a masterpiece of freshness and colour.

The kidsā€™ menu gets a big thumbs-up from us too. With four options, including a healthy snack that lets little grazers nibble on veggie sticks and fruit, itā€™s a winner for picky eaters. Nuggets are loved here, sure, but that little jar of Beerenberg tomato sauce with every dish? Chefā€™s kiss.

And then thereā€™s dessert. Whatever you do, save room. Your tastebuds will thank you (even if your waistline doesnā€™t).

• The Summer Stack ā€“ toasted waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, smashed strawberry, mango & kiwi salsa, and strawberry coulis. Pure bliss.

And of course, no visit is complete without a trip to The Dairy, where ice cream and gelati made from freshly churned local milk are packed with flavour and farm-fresh goodness. Strawberry is a must, but youā€™ll struggle to choose just one flavour. Not feeling a full meal? Grab a coffee and a scone (thank me later).

Beyond the menu, everything at Beerenberg feels thoughtful and family-friendly. Pram and wheelchair access is seamless, the atmosphere is relaxed, and every dish showcases Beerenbergā€™s own jams, relishes, and sauces. Kids are well catered for too, with colouring-in activities and an interactive strawberry wall where they can press buttons and learn all about the farm. The staff are incredible, and you can genuinely feel the love oozing out of the cafĆ© like the sweetest jam on toast.

Honestly, tell your friends, tell your family, tell interstate visitors. Beerenberg is an absolutely brilliant

³¢“Ē³¦²¹³Ł¾±“Ē²Ō:ĢżMount Barker Road, Hahndorf SA 5245
Opening Times: Daily 9am to 4pm | Closed Christmas Day Only
Phone:Ā 08 8388 7272
Find them onĀ ²¹²Ō»åĢżĢż³ó±š°ł±š

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Despite the iconic street presence in the main street of Hahndorf, not every one knows about the magical spacious garden setting out the back, this area is absolutely perfect for to enjoy a relaxed meal while the kids explore and play, or to host your next celebration. Is there any thing better than room for them to stretch their legs away from the table and catch some fresh air in between arriving, maybe pop a cartwheel and then order and eat? We don’t think so. There are also indoor and deck / verandah areas for seating, but book under a tree or umbrella is our advice.

The menu is Spanish and vibrant, with some more familiar options for the kids like pizza, pasta and crumbed chicken and chips. Who can pass up paella and sangria on a sunny afternoon? Not us. ACtually this visit we opted in for the feed me style menu and it didn’t disappoint in value, variety and just general tasty awesomeness.

Comida is open from 9am daily (closed Tuesdays) and serves up Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. All menus aim to use the freshest local and seasonal produce, which means the menu changes are quite frequent. The absolute stand outs for us were sharing tapas, the classic paella de comida and the paella de mariner. It goes without saying that we also inhaled several serves of sweet, warm churros. Always a winner.

The kids were delighted when I told them to look for resident bunny rabbits in the garden, adding an extra layer of fun and excitement as they spotted a couple of these adorable animals hopping about. It’s fair to say Comida is more than just a place to eat; itā€™s a family-friendly destination that delivers a fun, warm, welcoming environment for all ages.

The thoughtful design of the Spanish garden space, coupled with engaging activities like bunny spotting and indulging in churros, makes it an ideal choice for a memorable family outing. Whether youā€™re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a casual meal, Comida in Hahndorf ensures a really enjoyable experience for everyone.

Keep an eye on their social media (linked below) for regular events and entertainment, and don’t overlook this beautiful spot if you need a stylish venue for that 30th, 40th, 50th birthday party you owe to your self to celebrate! Image it as a wedding venue? Yes…..that’s an option here too!

Need more to fill in your day in the 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ hills with kids, check it out here

Location: 100 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf SA 5245
Opening Hours: Mon 9am to 3pm | Tues Closed | Wed 9am to 3pm | Thurs, Fri + Sat 9am – 10pm | Sun 9am to 4pm
Find them on  or 

View more and book online

Downstairs, kids can meet the guinea pigs who live in the most incredible miniature replica of Hahndorf village lovingly built by the owner himself. It is calm, cute and interactive making it an easy win for animal-loving kids while parents get a moment to relax and enjoy the space. Visiting the mini village and meeting the guinea pigs costs $5 per person. All funds are set aside for a future lift to make the cafƩ fully accessible for everyone.

Upstairs, you will find all the cafƩ favourites with a twist. Coffee, snacks and treats are served alongside one of the funniest, pun-filled menus you will ever see. Expect plenty of guinea pig wordplay that will have the kids reading and giggling and the adults chuckling too.

Sessions are hands-on and welcoming, with staff guiding children on how to gently hold and care for the animals. It is a sweet way for kids to learn about empathy and animal care. Even better, the cafƩ gives NDIS participants meaningful opportunities to get involved in cafƩ operations, food handling, customer service and animal care, making it a space that is all about community, inclusion and heart.

It is a family-run, feel-good spot where creativity, community and cuddly guinea pigs come together for a memorable day out in Hahndorf.

Location: 91A Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf SA 5245
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11am to 2pm, Weekends: 10am to 3pm
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Melbas Chocolates in Woodside, 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Hills

Melba’s Chocolate Factory is located just past the main shopping area of Woodside, about 40mins east of 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ in the 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ Hills. It is a great place to take the family on a day trip or main destination around which to plan a few hours in the Hills one day.

When we were kids I spent a LOT of time helping myself to the samples at Melba’s as my sister used to ride horses at one of the nearby properties and I had a lot of spare time to kill in the area. I was always fascinated to watch the process of making the chocolate, toffee traffic lights and other delicious goodies (the samples were an added bonus!).

The current site is known as ‘Heritage Park’ and houses Melba’s Chocolate Factory and a range of other cottage industries such as the next door Cheese Factory, so there really is something for everyone here. The factory has been transformed into a large emporium styled confectionery factory shop with its heritage equipment making delicious old fashioned treats. This is a centerpiece for 5 different rooms, where various manufacturing processes can be viewed. These are the Chocolate Room, Depositing Room, Packing Room, Panning Room & Toffee Room.

In School Holidays, Long Weekends and for special events, Melba’s bring in food trucks and kids activities such as giant games, face painting and balloon twisting, so you really can make a day of it!

Melba’s Chocolate Factory is a pretty cool destination in it’s own right and a great place to visit with the family. When you’re in the area, you should also check out a few of the other places around to make a full day outing – some of our favourites including Barrister’s Block Winery just across the road, Olive Branch cafe and playspace in Balhannah, the Balhannah Playground and Beerenberg Farm.

Find Melba’s Woodside at 22 Henry St, Woodside, South Australia.

Melba’s Chocolates in Angaston, Barossa Valley

Opening in March 2024, Melba’s newest site in Angaston in the wine region of the Barossa Valley is a must visit!

Taking up residency in the Gawler Park site, the new Angaston site boasts Melbaā€™s already vast range of chocolate and confectionery with the addition of an extensive dessert bar offering with their delicious creamy chocolate on tap, an Ice Cream Bar with a wide range of Melba’s toppings, their famous hot chocolates, fondue, milkshakes, coffees and more. They also have a range of savoury options available.

Those familiar with the site will know the beautiful grounds and large grassed area. Melbaā€™s have breathed new life into the space with family-friendly activities, seasonal events, and School Holiday entertainment.

Tom Foristal, Managing Director of Melbaā€™s Chocolates and Confectionery had this to say about their exciting expansion – “Ever since I was a boy heading to the Riverland via the Barossa, Iā€™ve loved Angaston. When the opportunity came up, I was over the moon at the prospect of Melbaā€™s becoming part of that community, especially given the ties to our Woodside Factory. Being neighbours with Australiaā€™s oldest family-owned winery, Yalumba, is very special too. The Gawler Park site suits us to a tee and Iā€™m sure we will put lots of sweet smiles on faces young and old.”

Stepping into the new Angaston site, it just feels like Melba’s. All of your favourite chocolates and lollies are there, along with a homage to the chocolate making process at their Woodside factory and tributes to some of the world’s most famous chocolatiers.

The on-site dessert bar is the PERFECT drawcard for families (or bribe for any kids that have had to sit through wine tasting in the Barossa!). You can purchase scoops of ice cream (big thumbs up for local fave Golden North Ice Cream!), then choose to add flavoured topping or sweet treats made by Melba’s. Our little taste tester went for Bubblegum and Mango scoops, topped with warm milk chocolate, sour worms, gummy bears and sprinkles – any kids dream!

We took it outside to enjoy under the umbrellas at the picnic tables while we played lawn games between scoops. Couple this with a coffee or cool drink and maybe a savoury option, it would be easy to spend a whole day here. You can also BYO picnic and rugs/ chairs – Melba’s have worked hard to create a family friendly vibe and we think they have nailed it.

School holidays and long weekend/ special events at Melba’s in the Barossa will see them bring in food trucks and plenty of kids entertainment too – we can’t wait!

Find Melba’s Barossa Valley at 29 Valley Road, Angaston, South Australia.

Visit their website for more info:

This local favourite has had a bit of a glow-up recently, and itā€™s looking better than ever. The new all-weather pavilion, upgraded beer garden and revamped balcony have brought a fresh vibe to this historic pub without losing any of the charm thatā€™s made it so popular over the years. The addition of a lift and new bathrooms has also made it more accessible, which is always a win.

We visited on a cool winterā€™s day and loved every second. The fire was going, the creek was flowing, and the whole place had that relaxed, cosy feel. We tucked into the beef ragu with handmade gnocchi (a standout), the nasi goreng (packed with flavour), and the Bridgey Burger, which came highly recommended. Our eight-year-old, who eats like a grown man, gave it a massive thumbs up and polished off the lot. Itā€™s huge.

The kidsā€™ menu has something for everyone, with eight great options including chicken nuggets, fish and chips, a grazing plate and even a vegan schnitzel. You can grab a main on its own or upgrade to the meal deal for an extra five bucks to include a drink, ice cream and activity pack. Great value and guaranteed to keep little ones happy. And yes, the sticky date pudding is worth it.

If the kids arenā€™t quite ready to head home, there is a beautiful adventure to be had following the creek for a little walk and the Bridgewater Mill playground next door is always a hit. Just one more reason to stretch the day out a little longer.

Thereā€™s something about the Bridgewater Inn that works in every season. In summer, itā€™s shady and cool beside the water. In winter, itā€™s warm and welcoming by the fire. The new pavilion, with its insulated roof, gas fireplaces and outdoor blinds, means you can enjoy that fresh-air feeling no matter what the weather is doing. Whether youā€™re walking the Heysen Trail, catching up with friends, or just craving a really good pub lunch in a beautiful setting, this oneā€™s well worth the trip. So grab your phone and send round that ‘Bridgewater Inn?’ text to plan your next family/ friend Sunday catch up here!

Open 7 days a week from 10am – Late
Weekday meals from 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday meals from 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday meals from 11:30 am – 8 pm
Location: 387 Mt Barker Rd, Bridgewater
You can find them on or

Located in the ideal spot for families, across the road from the Hawthorndene Oval and right next to Apex Park (Fully fenced slice of paradise right here!), Joanā€™s offers a beautiful setting for families to grab a coffee as they head to the playground, or to sit in for a meal. Primarily a brunch/lunch cafe, it is also fully licensed and open for dinner on Friday nights and offers relaxing seating options indoors and out. For us, eating out with a toddler, we sat inside and found it to be actually genuinely relaxing, with our boys sitting on the bench looking out at the view through the fabulous new bifold windows and reading the selection of kids books on offer. Spacious and decorated with plenty of nods to the history of the cafe and the area, they have done very well to offer family friendly options to eat inside and out depending on the weather.

And it is outside where Joanā€™s surprised us! We are certainly no newbies here, having grabbed a coffee and a cookie on many occasions before a spin at the playground, but we had no idea about the incredible garden out the back! ā€˜Joanā€™s Patchā€™ is a community garden that has grown into a wonderful community, with memberships available to join and grow your own fruits, veggies and herbs. For us as visitors, the garden is open to wander and explore and adds a real tranquil vibe to finish off your visit following your meal. It also let our toddler walk off the infinite energy he seems to gain and offered nice distractions for him while the rest of the fam finished off their brunch (in peace!). Donā€™t forget they have a sandpit with toys and more tables too, with plenty of shade under the trees.

But all this is great, but is the food any good? Well we are pleased to report that everyone was well and truly satisfied with the offerings at Joans. Fabulous coffee for the parents and a good range of kids options at very reasonable prices ($7 is the average price for the kids meals for brunch and very well priced lunch options after 11:30, which we LOVED in these cozzie livs days)

Joanā€™s website allows online orders, a nice review of their history and is a very well put together resource for locals to engage with their local icon. A stoneā€™s throw from Belair National Park, a trip up the hill is not complete without a pit top at this local icon!

Location: 7 Watahuna Avenue, Hawthorndene
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am ā€“ 4:00pm | Fri 8:00am – 8:00pm | Sat ā€“ Sun 8:30am ā€“ 4:30 pm
Find them on  or  or Phone 8278 2091

The stunning Aston Hills development (right smack bang in the middle of the Gather Round footy venue up at Barker) has opened a huge shopping centre (headlined by a very flash Drakes) and is now complimented by a fabulous family friendly place to take the kids for a huge feed.

Schnithouse has venues all around 91¹ū¶³“«Ć½ (we may be pretty fond already of their fare in case you wondered) and now with the Aston Hills location, you can enjoy their German delights all around our great city. With beers the size of a small sedan, plus a gorgeous outdoor area overlooking farmland, it is a picturesque spot with spot on food to match.

Ordering your feed is a bit different here, with your table issued a small tablet to scroll through and pick your food and drinks. We found it very easy to use and better than the QR table code that you come across at other venues. Service was brilliant, even though we attended during a flat out period just after opening, but the staff did not miss a beat.

Now if you aren’t a huge shnitty fan, don’t worry because the menu is actually very diverse and with a range of burgers, steaks, wings, pastas and salads, there will surely be something to take everyone’s fancy.

Kids get 6 options in their Little Schnitters range (a missed opportunity to name it “little schnits” but maybe they will take on our suggestion!) with a decent sized meal, the usual pub fare on offer here, plus a drink and an ice cream to wash it down. If your kids are like ours and will only eat nuggets, rest assured they will be looked after.

Schnitzel lovers genuinely won’t go wrong with anything from this menu, although the Protein option was bloody delicious.

Now onto the important details. The food challenges. Man Vs Schnit and Man Vs Wings are two fights we feel destined to have and we will report our results here in due course. Until then, a 20 odd minute drive up the freeway is all that stands in the way of you and one of the best schnitzels in town!

Find Schnithouse Mount Barker at:

• 485 Heysen Boulevard, Mount Barker
• Phone: (08) 7092 6003

Read more and book online at

Check them out on FacebookĀ Ā or ±õ²Ō²õ³Ł²¹²µ°ł²¹³¾Ģż

Where do we start. Lets kick off with the beer, because of course we are. 17 beers on tap. Count them. 17! To be fair we have probably had a crack at most of them, and are yet to find one we don’t like, which is saying something about their dedication to quality product in not just churning out random flavours for the sake of it. So settle in for a pint of your favourite (Pony Lager for us at the moment or maybe the Sunshine Ale in summer) or grab a paddle with a few of your faves or throw in an obscure flavour you want to try out. Obviously there are plenty of bottled or can packs to take home once you settle on your beer of choice.

So what are the kids doing while you are indulging in brewery heaven? We love so much about this place for the family. In fact our teens have listed it as one of their faves and cannot wait to go back. For us, it is the relaxed vibe, with good live music playing most weekends, with plenty of room to spread out on the large tables and have a crack at the colouring in and puzzles. Sit inside in winter and enjoy the sunshine filled outdoor beer garden when its a tad nicer. Either way you can’t go wrong. But you know we have missed the part the kids love the most….the food!

WIth half a dozen kids options each coming in at $10 bucks, your kids will love this as much as ours we are sure. Big serves and the usual pub options are on offer here, or the older kids can pick from the wider adult’s menu with some of the best pizzas and burgers you will ever wrap your gums around. We are convinced the southern fried chicken burger is filled with pixie dust because it is just absolutely magical and we could not recommend it high enough. Our tiny reviewers gave the hot dog 11 out of 10, plus the chicken nuggets were actual small pieces of chicken….much better than usual nugget quality.

Plenty to explore here too as you stroll around to explore the Brewshed with the kids like we did, with the huge brewery on full display with enormous reaction vessels providing a great opportunity to explain to the kids how things work, plus they look just bloody awesome! Tours are available too so if you are really keen to get behind the scenes, be sure to check those out. We loved the pinball, which was a top windown after a few beers and a big lunch, plus the little kids really got around the spattering of rocking horses located around the brewshed.

Overall, we just love the Pony and will be making it a regular without a shadow of a doubt.

Location: 42 Mt Barker Road, Totness SA (Mt Barker)
Opening Hours: Every day. Check socials/website for exact seasonal times.
Phone: (08) 8398 3881 Email: info@prancingpony.com.au
Find them on  or