Quaint and quintessentially quirky are words that immediately spring to mind when wandering around the leafy streets of Willunga.
A stone’s throw from McLaren Vale, Willunga is a town where history and heritage blend perfectly with hipster cool and hippy vibes.
Willunga is also part of the Nescafe new limited edition collection of Nescafe Blend 43 tins. Designed to celebrate true community spirit. Willunga is known for their friendliness, which kicked off in 2007, where they came up with the idea of hosting the Fleurieu Folk Festival (held each year in October) where everyone would be welcomed, showing their true community spirit. and with only a few thousand residents, community spirit is hugely important in this wonderful township.
Events
PGA Webex Players Series Golf Tournament
The Webex Players Series South Australia is a mixed-gender professional golf tournament attracting leading male and female golfers from across the country as well as other international golf tours that sees them line up in one field, playing for the same prize purse.
It will be held at Willunga Golf Course from October 19 - 22 and is open for spectators to enjoy a great event.
Entry is free for spectators across the four days of the tournament and a two-day live broadcast will take place on Fox Sports & Kayo in Australia plus throughout New Zealand.
History and heritage at every turn
Throughout the township, historical buildings can be seen at every turn with many homes, churches and buildings providing a glimpse of the past.
The heritage charm also extends to street sculptures, furniture and art including historic brass footpath inserts that reference the Willunga Courthouse and Slate Museum at the top of High Street.
Art, dine & drink
For those who love to peruse, galleries and studios are brimming with mosaics, glass, silver jewellery, and furniture abound. Meanwhile, op shops and other stops, featuring vintage bric-a-brac, retro clothing and curios await discovery.
Foodies can rejoice with cafés, pubs, restaurants, acclaimed pizzerias, providores, a gourmet general store, bakery, cake shop, and a chocolatier all catering to the hungry. For the thirsty, a boutique bottle shop, cellar doors, breweries, pubs and bars have your favourite tipple covered.
Willunga is also home to many beautiful parks and playgrounds within close distance to the main town centre, they are particularly stunning when the almond blossoms trees are in bloom. Download the Blossom Tour Map and enjoy a picnic lunch and day out with family.
To put you in a festive mood, they also host the Almond Blossom Festival in July of each year, the Fleurieu Folk Festival in October and a stage of the Santos Festival of Cycling in January of each year.
To market to market – home to SA’s best farmers market
However, where Willunga outdoes itself is with its markets. The weekly Saturday morning Farmers Market at the temporary site of Willunga High School is renown throughout the state with thousands attending rain, hail or shine. More than 80 farmers and artisan food producers from the region sell fresh produce that includes meat, poultry and seafood, fruit and vegetables, dairy and bakery items, drinks, artisan goodies and condiments and garden products.
Other markets include the Green Light Organic Market every Saturday, while every second Saturday visitors can look forward to the Willunga Artisans & Handmade Market, and Willunga Quarry Market.
Stretch your legs and extend your stay
There’s also plenty for those who wish to stretch their legs with an 18-hole golf course and many walking trails — including the start (or finish) of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail. There’s even an App called Willunga Walks produced by the National Trust of South Australia that gives walkers a choice of two interactive historical strolls around the town.
Afterwards, weary walkers can rest up at one of the many parks, gardens and funky street seats. But for the young and young at heart, more adventure awaits at the local sports grounds, skate park, or BMX track.
Accommodation is diverse and plentiful with options in the town and nearby making it an easy decision to spend a couple of days exploring everything this pretty little village offers.
What's Open?
Need to know what’s open in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast? From McLaren Vale wineries, spirit and gin distilleries and craft breweries to coastal dining sensations we have you covered.
To make things easy, we have developed an extensive list just for you, on what’s open each day in Willunga.
Discover what's open on:
Whether you are looking for breakfast, brunch, lunch, regional platters or dinner, our cafes, restaurants and cellar doors are ready to welcome you.
Don’t worry, we have all your McLaren Vale wine, brewery and distillery experiences covered too. Our McLaren Vale cellar doors, taphouses and distillery cellar doors are waiting to be discovered. Check out our brewery trail too, with some of the best ales around! Don’t believe us, you will just have to try for yourself!
To ensure you have the best experience, we strongly suggest you make a booking with your chosen café, restaurant, brewery, distillery or cellar door.
We look forward to welcoming you to the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast. This is where you will find the good life!
