Penfolds Magill Winery
Magill
Located approximately 7 km from the Adelaide CBD in the eastern suburbs, Magill was first established as the 524-acre (2.12 km2) Makgill Estate, owned by two Scots, Robert Cock and William Ferguson, who met en route to the newly founded colony of South Australia when sailing out from Portsmouth on the HMS Buffalo and formed a partnership as a carrier and merchant following their arrival on 28 December 1836. It was named after Cock's trustee, David M. Makgill. The estate's homestead was built in 1838 by Ferguson, who was charged with farming the estate. Soon after farming commenced the two were short of cash, and thus Magill became the first foothill village to be subdivided.
Magill is home to one of Penfolds Wineries, a shopping centre, a Respite Agency, UniSA Magill Campus and the historic Murray Park Estate. It is sometimes divided into Magill South and Magill North to distinguish what local government area they belong to as Magill is in both the City of Burnside and the City of Campbelltown.
Penfolds Magill Cellars
Penfolds Magill Winery is Adelaide's last suburban winery and the home of the legendary Penfolds Grange. This winery was founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold, and is the spiritual and historical home of Australia's most famous wine, Penfolds Grange. The winery conducts the unique 2-hour Great Grange Tour through the history winery, including the underground maturation cellars, and Grange Cottage, the Penfold family's original home. Guided tours operate every first and third Sunday of the month. All inclusive tour available for a fee. Contact: (08) 8301 5569. Website. 78 Penfold Road, Magill. How to get there: by car, east along North Tce and Botanic Rd, right into Magill Rd, right into Penfold Rd.
Black Hill Conservation Park
Black Hill Conservation Park is a natural bushland parks with extensive views. A rugged bush environment, the 684 ha reserve is bounded by steep ridges on its southern slopes, its prominent peak 465m above sea level has expensive vistas across Adelaide northern suburban area, Gulf of St. Vincent and Mt Lofty Ranges. The many walking paths along its ridges and gullies can be steep, but worth it for the views and scenery. Allow 3-4 hours for the 5 km round trip to the summit.
The park adjoins Morialta Conservation Park, home to many activities, including bushwalking, bird watching and rock climbing. Ambers Gully and its waterfall cave are popular natural features. Picnic tables are located off the Orchard Track, Montacute Road and near the Winter Waterfall, Ambers Gully. A landscaped Wildflower Garden is located near the Addison Avenue entrance. A Black Hill brochure should be obtained before visiting Black Hill Conservation Park; or view the information board is located at the Addison Avenue entry.
Black Hill summit
Contact: (08) 8336 0901. Location: 10 km north-east of Adelaide. How to gt there: by bus No.179 from North Terrace, Adelaide at various stops, disembark at bus stop 26, walk across the road to the main entrance gates on Addison Avenue.
Morialta First Falls
This seasonal waterfall in the deep gorge of Morialta Conservation Park, situated at the base of the Adelaide Hills is just 20 minutes drive from the centre of Adelaide. A popular place for rock climbers, abseilers and bushwalkers of all abilities, Morialta is set in an area with several State Reserves featuring beautiful bushland walks and several waterfalls.
The three waterfalls along Fourth Creek are popular features of the park and are linked by an extensive network of walking trails. The views from the rock climbing zone also provide opportunities to admire Morialta Gorge and the nearby Adelaide plains. The first two falls are the grandest, each cascading over sheer quartzite cliffs after rain. To see the falls at their best, visit the park during spring or winter when the water flow is strongest.
For wildlife lovers, the park's rock pools and creeks provide habitat for small reptiles, frogs and birds. Watch out for honeyeaters and thornbills among the woodlands that cover the hills.
The Morialta Resource Centre is a conference and meeting venue available for hire. It can comfortably seat 30 to 35 people in a lecture style set up or 12 to 14 people around a table. You can walk your dog from the Morialta picnic area, along the Morialta Falls Road to the Morialta Falls car park, provided it remains under your control on a lead. Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year. Gas fires are permitted in designated areas only other than on days of total fire ban.
Giants cave
Being only 10 km from the centre of Adelaide and having a large number of climbs, Morialta is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in South Australia. The rock is quartzite, and there are heavy duty rings at the top of most routes to allow for easy top-roping. There are several crags along both sides of the gorge. On the southern side, from the western end, there is Milestone Buttress, The Outcrops, The Buttress, Billiard Table, Boulder Bridge, Throne Room and Far Crag. On the northern side there is The Lost Walls and Thorn Buttress. Far Crag is one of the more popular crags, with over 67 routes graded from 4 (Ewbanks) to 27.
The highest volume of climbing in the gorge is done on top rope, which is made especially easy by the provision of regularly tested steel rings at the tops of many climbs. These rings greatly simplify the task of building an anchor, making outdoor climbing accessible to a broader range of people. Although most routes can be top-roped, there are routes which are bolted for sport climbing, or suitable for traditional climbing with natural gear, or a mixture of both. Often a route which is suitable for sport or traditional climbing can also be top-roped.
Location: Morialta Falls Road, Woodforde, SA. The park is open to vehicle traffic from 8.30am to 15 minutes before sunset. Gates are closed on Christmas Day. Walkers can access the park from sunrise to sunset.
