Discover the Best Walking Trails in Willunga, McLaren Vale, Onkaparinga Gorge, and Beyond! 🌿🚶‍♀️
If you’re a lover of nature, adventure, and scenic walks, the Willunga and McLaren Vale region has something for everyone! From rolling vineyards and rugged gorges to stunning beaches, these trails offer a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of South Australia. So, grab your hat, lace up your walking shoes, and explore some of the best local walks in the area. 🌞🍃
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1. Onkaparinga Gorge Walk – A Natural Wonderland 🌄A stunning highlight of the Onkaparinga River National Park, the Onkaparinga Gorge Walk offers breathtaking views of cliffs, river gorges, and native bushland. Perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature, this trail is both serene and invigorating. You’ll spot plenty of wildlife along the way, making it a perfect spot for bird watchers too! 🦅
Explore the Onkaparinga Gorge Walk on All Trails

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​2. Willunga Hill Trail – A Hike with a View 🏞️For panoramic views of the Willunga region, head to the Willunga Hill Trail. This moderately challenging trail gives you stunning vistas over vineyards, farmlands, and the distant coast. Whether you're an experienced hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, this trail is sure to leave you inspired. 🚶‍♂️
Discover the Willunga Hill Trail on All Trails

3. McLaren Vale to Willunga Shiraz Trail – A Scenic Journey 🚂🌾This 8.5 km trail takes you along the historic rail line, offering a relaxing walk through the heart of the McLaren Vale wine region. Along the way, you’ll enjoy lush vineyards, fields of local produce, and the charming rural landscapes that make this area so special. Stop by the local wineries for a refreshment or two! 🍷 Take out the Mulberry Lodge Electric Bikes, you can access the trail from the Mulberry Lodge Paddock 
Wineries close to the trail include:

• Battle of Bosworth
• Down the Rabbit Hole
• Shirvington Wines 
• Sampson Tall
• Primo Estate
• Lino Ramble
• Hugh Hamilton
• Mitolo 
• Wirra Wirra
• Serafino 

Walk or Cycle the McLaren Vale to Willunga Rail Trail on All Trails

4. Maslin Beach to Silver Sands Walk – Coastal Bliss 🌊For a beautiful beachside walk, head to Maslin Beach and Silver Sands. This coastal walk offers stunning ocean views, sandy shores, and the chance to spot local marine life. It's the perfect trail for a relaxed day out by the sea. 🐚
Explore Maslin Beach and Silver Sands Walk on All Trails

​5. Sellicks Hill to Aldinga Beach Coastal Walk – A Seaside Adventure 🌅This picturesque coastal trail takes you from Sellicks Hill to Aldinga Beach. As you walk along the cliffs, you’ll enjoy sweeping ocean views, with the chance to spot dolphins and seabirds. It’s an easy-to-moderate walk with some steeper sections, but the views are well worth the effort. 🐬
Enjoy the Sellicks Hill to Aldinga Beach Coastal Walk on All Trails

Why You’ll Love These Trails:

• Variety of Scenery: From gorges to vineyards and coastal beauty, these trails offer something for everyone.
• Wildlife Galore: Spot native birds, kangaroos, and maybe even some dolphins! 🦘
• Fresh Air and Fresh Finds: Perfect for fitness lovers, nature enthusiasts, and foodies alike, as there are plenty of local wineries and cafes to enjoy after your hike. 🧀🍇
• Easy Access: These trails are all easily accessible from the heart of McLaren Vale and Willunga, making them ideal for a quick nature escape!

Ready to hit the trail? 🌟 Whether you're looking for a short stroll or a more challenging hike, the walking trails around Willunga, McLaren Vale, and the Onkaparinga Gorge are a must-do. With stunning views, local wildlife, and the chance to explore the diverse beauty of this incredible region, it's time to get walking!
Happy hiking! 🥾👣

You can find detailed maps and directions for these trails on All Trails to plan your adventure!

At Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, our gardens are more than just a backdrop – they’re an integral part of your experience. Whether you’re sipping coffee on your private deck or wandering through our tranquil spaces, our gardens offer beauty, serenity, and a connection to nature. Let’s take a stroll together! 🌳✨

Fresh and Flavorful: The Veggie Garden & Fruit Trees 🍎🥕
Our veggie garden and fruit trees are a source of pride – and flavour! From crisp vegetables to juicy seasonal fruits, these gardens provide fresh ingredients for our breakfast hampers. There’s nothing quite like produce that’s been grown with care and harvested at its peak. 🌿🍇

​A Blooming Paradise: Roses & Hydrangeas 🌹💐
At Mulberry Lode we have 2 exquisite rose gardens that fill the air with their sweet scent and dazzle with their vibrant colours. For a splash of pink, don’t miss our hydrangeas thriving in the shady spot beneath the Silver Birch trees – a picture-perfect hideaway on warm days. 🌸🌳

At Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, in the heart of the McLaren Vale Wine Region, South Australia, we take immense pride in our vibrant veggie garden. It's not just a patch of land; it’s a source of inspiration for the fresh juices, breakfast hampers, treats, and afternoon teas that our guests adore. With each season, our garden transforms, offering a delectable variety of produce that epitomises the farm-to-table experience. Let’s take a closer look at what makes our garden so special and how we cultivate these delicious treasures in South Australia’s unique climate.

Spring and Summer Bounty 🌞🌼As the weather warms up, our garden bursts into life with a kaleidoscope of flavours and colours. Here’s what we grow during the sunnier months:

• Herbs: 🌿 Basil, mint, parsley, and thyme thrive, adding fragrant touches to our dishes and drinks.
• Vegetables: 🌱 Asparagus, 🍅 tomatoes, 🌽 zucchini, spring onions, 🍆 eggplant, 🍇 capsicum, 🥒 cucumber, 🌶️ chillies, 🍊 pumpkin, 🌾 sweetcorn, 🥒 lettuce, and radishes.

Spring and summer are perfect for growing these crops because of South Australia’s long sunny days and mild evenings. We recommend planting tomatoes and capsicums in well-drained soil with plenty of compost to retain moisture during hot spells. Mulching and early-morning watering help prevent heat stress on plants.

Autumn and Winter Harvest 🍂🍁When the weather cools, our garden shifts gears to hardy, nutritious crops that flourish in the cooler months:

• Root Vegetables and Greens: 🥔 Potatoes, 🥕 carrots, 🌿 spinach, and rocket.
• Cruciferous Veggies: 🍦 Broccoli and cauliflower.
• Other Seasonal Delights: 🍏 Green beans, leeks, onions, and coriander.
  
  

Autumn and winter in South Australia bring cooler nights and occasional rain, making them ideal for leafy greens and root vegetables. To ensure a successful harvest, we suggest planting in a sunny spot and using raised beds to improve drainage during wetter periods or consider wicking beds to ensure water is supplied as required and with less evaporation. Cover crops with frost cloth can protect them from unexpected cold snaps.       (unusual  in South Australia, but you can get frost in the Hills) .  
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From Garden to Table 🌾☕
Every ingredient grown at Mulberry Lodge is treated with love and care, ensuring its freshness and flavour shine through. Imagine sipping a refreshing cucumber and mint juice 🍹 or starting your day with a hearty breakfast featuring homegrown roasted asparagus and tomatoes. Our sweet treats and afternoon teas are complemented by adding fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables such as chives, thyme, pumpkin, zucchini and carrots to our home-baked scones and cakes, giving every bite a touch of homegrown goodness. The images above show some of our delicious home-baked cakes and scones.  

Growing Tips for South Australian Gardens 🌿💧If you’re inspired to start your own veggie garden, here are some tips tailored to South Australia’s climate:

1. Soil Preparation: 🌳 Enrich your soil with organic compost and aged manure to promote healthy growth.
2. Water Wisely: 🌧️ Drip irrigation or hand-watering in the early morning helps plants thrive without waterlogging.
3. Seasonal Planting: 🌱 Use a planting calendar to ensure you’re sowing the right crops at the right time.
4. Pest Control: 🐞 Encourage beneficial insects like ladybirds by planting flowers such as marigolds and nasturtiums.
5. Sunlight: 🌞 Most veggies need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, so choose a sunny spot for your garden.
   
   

Visit Mulberry Lodge and Experience the Garden 🏡🌿There’s nothing quite like seeing our veggie garden in full swing, brimming with seasonal produce and buzzing with life. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or love fresh, delicious food, a visit to Mulberry Lodge is an experience to savour. Explore our seasonal veggie garden, taste the difference in our offerings, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the McLaren Vale Wine Region.

🚢 Book your stay at Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat today and discover the magic of fresh, homegrown produce! Choose from a range of special Packages that we offer HERE 

There’s nothing quite as enchanting as the sight and scent of blooming roses, and at Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, we’re lucky enough to have two stunning rose gardens for you to enjoy. Each garden is a vibrant celebration of colour, fragrance, and nature’s artistry.  🌺✨

A Kaleidoscope of Roses 🌸❤️
Our rose gardens are home to an array of varieties, from classic hybrid teas to fragrant David Austin blooms. You’ll find vibrant reds, blush pinks, sunny yellows, and creamy whites creating a stunning palette that changes with the seasons. Guests love wandering through the gardens, finding the perfect spot to pause and take in the beauty. And let’s be honest – they’re a dream backdrop for a photo! 📸🌷

South Australia's Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, is ideal for growing roses. These timeless beauties thrive in the region, offering lush blooms and intoxicating scents for gardeners to enjoy. Here’s how to choose the right roses, care for your roses and a guide to the varieties that shine in South Australia.

🌱 Choosing the Right Roses
When selecting roses for South Australia, look for hardy, heat-tolerant varieties. Some top picks include:

• Mr. Lincoln 🌟: A classic red rose with large, velvety blooms and a strong fragrance.
• Iceberg ❄️: A reliable white rose that flowers prolifically and withstands heat.
• Just Joey 🍑: Known for its apricot-orange petals and delightful scent.
• Double Delight ❤️🤍: Creamy white blooms edged with red, celebrated for its rich fragrance.
• Knock Out Roses 🌺: Low-maintenance shrubs that bloom throughout the season.
  
  

🌞 Growing Tips for Success

1. Location Matters 🌤️
   Plant roses in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is especially important to dry dew and prevent diseases.
2. Soil Preparation 🌿
   Roses prefer well-draining, fertile soil. Enrich your garden bed with compost or well-rotted manure to boost organic matter. A slightly acidic pH of 6.0-6.5 is ideal.
3. Water Wisely 💧
   Deep, consistent watering is key. Water the base of the plant early in the morning, avoiding overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Adjust frequency during heatwaves but avoid waterlogging the soil.
4. Feeding for Blooms 🌸
   Feed roses with a balanced fertilizer designed for roses every 6-8 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Supplement with seaweed or fish emulsion for extra nutrients.
5. Pruning Time ✂️
   Prune roses in late winter (July-August) to remove deadwood, shape the plant, and encourage vigorous new growth. Always use sharp, clean tools to avoid damage or disease spread.
6. Pest and Disease Control 🐛
   Keep an eye out for aphids, black spot, and powdery mildew. Treat infestations early with organic sprays or a gentle soapy water mix. Promote good air circulation by spacing plants appropriately.
7. Mulching Magic 🌾
   Add a layer of mulch (e.g., straw, bark chips) around the base to conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the stem to prevent rot.
   
   

🌹 Why Roses Love South Australia
With long, sunny days and low humidity, South Australia offers a near-perfect environment for roses to flourish. By choosing heat-tolerant varieties and following these care tips, your garden will reward you with stunning blooms year-round.
So, grab your gloves, a pair of secateurs, and start creating a rose-filled paradise! 🌟

What’s your favourite rose variety? Share your gardening stories! 🌺✨

At Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, breakfast isn’t just a meal – it’s an experience designed to delight your senses and nourish your body. As part of your breakfast hamper, we provide freshly squeezed juices bursting with vibrant flavours and wholesome goodness. And the best part? Many of the fruits and vegetables come straight from our very own garden – you can’t get fresher than that! 🌿🍎

Why Fresh Juices? Starting your day with a glass of fresh juice is like giving your body a nutrient-packed wake-up call. These colourful blends are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to energize your morning and keep you glowing all day long. Plus, it’s a delicious way to sneak in a serving of fruits and veggies! 🌞

At Mulberry Lodge, we’re passionate about showcasing the seasonal bounty of our garden. Depending on what’s ripe and ready, our juices feature combinations like:

• Crisp apples, zesty lemons, and a hint of fresh ginger 🍎☕
• Sweet oranges paired with earthy carrots 🍊🥕
• Beets blended with apples and a squeeze of lime for a detoxifying treat 🥒✨
  
  

Each juice is crafted with love and care, ensuring you start your day on the healthiest and most delicious note. ❤️

Recipe Highlight: Garden Glow Juice 🤍
Want to recreate a taste of Mulberry Lodge at home? Here’s one of our favourite juice recipes to try:

​Ingredients:

• 2 medium carrots (freshly picked, if possible) 🥕
• 1 apple (any variety you love) 🍎
• ½ beetroot 🥒
• A thumb-sized piece of ginger ☕
• Juice of ½ lemon 🍋

Method:

1. Wash and peel the carrots, apple, and beetroot.
2. Chop everything into smaller pieces for easy blending or juicing.
3. Feed the ingredients into your juicer or blend them in a high-powered blender.
4. If using a blender, strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve or nut milk bag.
5. Squeeze in the lemon juice, give it a good stir, and serve immediately over ice if desired. 🍬
   
   

The result? A vibrant, nutrient-rich juice that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! 🌟

A Toast to Wellness ✨Whether you’re enjoying the tranquil beauty of the McLaren Vale Wine Region or simply looking for inspiration for your mornings, a fresh juice is the perfect way to fuel your day. Next time you visit us, sip, savour, and let the goodness of our garden awaken your senses.

Cheers to health and happiness! 🍾🥂