Incredible views, loads of space for the kids to run wild and cocktails you'll tell your friends about. Sunny Hill Distillery might not be the first place you think of for a family outing, but trust us, this one deserves a spot on your Yorke Peninsula itinerary.
The first thing we loved? That HUGE grassy outdoor area. There’s totem tennis, giant Jenga, balancing stepping buckets and even a whole storage box filled with more things to keep the kids busy. Add plenty of room to kick a ball around and run free, and they’ll have no trouble keeping themselves entertained while you sit back and enjoy the view. And what a view it is, stretching across the surrounding farmland towards the water. It’s a pretty special spot to spend an afternoon.
There's heaps of seating too, so you're not all squeezed around one little table. You'll find outdoor tables on the lawn, a deck with high and low tables, and plenty of indoor options, including comfy couches. Whether you're visiting with little kids, a group of friends or the whole extended family, there's room for everyone to spread out and get comfortable.
Sunny Hill is a family-owned, working distillery run by Sam and Olivia, who make their own spirits right there on the farm. Their range includes vodka, gin, whisky, rum, brandy and liqueurs, with wheat grown on the property used to make their vodka, which then forms the base for their gins and liqueurs. It's a genuine paddock-to-bottle operation, which makes trying something from the drinks menu even more interesting.
You can opt for a self-guided tasting and work your way through a tasting flight at your own pace. Choose from their spirit tasting, liqueur tasting or dark spirits flight, with options including pink gin, dry gin, limoncello, chocolate liqueur, rum, whisky and brandy. It's a fun way to try something new, and you can take your time before settling in for the afternoon.
More of a cocktail person? The 'Raspberry Lemon Drop' is an absolute flavour bomb, the limoncello is pretty delicious too, and the 'Hard Chocolate Milkshake' is worth the 1.5-hour drive (or just over) from Adelaide alone. Yes, really!
And if you're driving or simply not drinking alcohol, don't think you've missed out. The mocktails are excellent too. Perfect if you're the designated driver but still want to feel a little bit special, or if you're anything like us and suffer from serious FOMO when everyone else gets a fun drink.
'The Circus' is a dream for the kids, with blue or raspberry lemonade, colourful lollies and a sugar rim. A fancy little drink of their own? They’ll love it!
Sunny Hill doesn't have an onsite restaurant, but you know what goes perfectly with a delicious drink? A good pick plate! We love the build-your-own idea, especially when you've got kids in tow. Nobody knows your kids' taste buds better than you do, so you can choose exactly what you know they'll eat, while adding a few things for yourself too. Our picks? Definitely try the zucchini pickles and tomato chutney, then add some cheese, crackers, a bit of salami and a couple of dips. Yum! You've got yourself a pretty impressive afternoon spread without needing a full restaurant menu.
You can also bring your own food, which is handy if your kids have particular favourites or you're planning a little picnic on the lawn. Just remember that the pick-and-mix platters aren't available when food vendors are operating onsite, so check what's happening before you visit.
Sunny Hill also hosts regular food and live music days, along with special events throughout the year. It's worth checking their calendar before you go, as you might be able to time your visit with a food truck, live music or another event.
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas on a lead, too, so your four-legged family member can come along for the adventure.
Our advice? Don't just pop in for a quick drink. Give yourself a few hours, let the kids enjoy the lawn games, order that cocktail you've been eyeing off and settle in to enjoy the view. It's a lovely reminder that family outings don't have to revolve around a playground or kids' activity to keep everyone happy.
Sunny Hill Distillery
Location: 8658 Upper Yorke Road, Arthurton SA
Tasting Room Hours:
During School Terms Thursday - Sunday11am - 5pm
During School Holidays Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm
Long Weekends Open Mondays 11am - 5pm
Closed New Years Day - Good Friday - Anzac Day -Christmas Day - Boxing Day
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