Kangaroo Island Cellar Doors Lunch
For most people, Kangaroo Island, a beautiful part of South Australia, is cruelly separated from suburbia by a two hour drive to Cape Jervis followed by another, expensive, hour and a half on a ferry*. Not so for pilots. A quick hop from one of South Australia’s many airfield and you are across the water with a choice of a number of runways.
One of the best of those runways is at Antechamber Bay and belongs to Chapman River Wines‘ Cellar Doors. I know, I know: 8 hour bottle to throttle, but there is much more on offer than just wines. Besides, your passengers can enjoy them and you might take a bottle or two home for the debrief.
Set just behind the dunes in between the trees, this cellar doors restaurant is a real quiet getaway. Sit outside on the veranda or indoors around the fireplace, you are surrounded by the artworks created by the lady of the house, Diana.
On offer for lunch is the nation’s cellar door favourite: the platter for two. Antipasti, dips, fresh bread, cheese, fruit and nuts make up this one made from local produce. It’s delicious. If you are in the mood for more, a mouth watering selection of fresh cakes is available to satisfy your sweet tooth. Top it off with an espresso or latte.
While you are enjoying or waiting for your lunch, the kids can keep themselves entertained on the playground.
Just a 10 minute walk over the dunes is a beautiful sandy beach perfect for swimming or just a nice walk.
You could easily spend a good part of a day here; arrive in the morning for some time on the beach followed by a nice lunch before flying off home or to the next destination. Or stay overnight in the nearby eco-cabins or camp grounds.
The airstrip is about 800m grass and gets regular use. It’s roughly 16/34 and has a power line a the Southern end and some small trees at the Northern end. The windsock is at the South Eastern end. S035 47.7 E138 04.1. Not suitable for use in winter and after rainy periods. It gets grazed too, so make sure to phone ahead so it is clear and slashed. They even slash a good taxiway and parking area.
Open 11-4.30 Thursdays to Mondays (Closed Wednesdays-Thursdays: Winter closure July-August) Phone: 08 8553 1371, email: chapmanriverwines@activ8.net.au
* before you correct me on this; SeaLink quotes 45 minutes but that is dock to dock. Loading and unloading takes time too.
