Viral design duo Josh & Matt's guide to South Australia

As a couple known across social media for our design and interior work, take our word – this is one of the most beautiful and spacious places to rest your head. I don't know about you, but when we first land in a new city, we make a beeline for the hotel so we can get our bearings and settle in. Eos by SkyCity could not have been a better spot to do exactly this. Positioned right in the middle of Adelaide, with views over the sparkling River Torrens and Adelaide Oval, you immediately get a feel for this boutique city. It’s one of the newest hotels in Adelaide, and dare we say, one of the best! From the moment we walked into the lobby, we were treated to a sparkling wine and impeccable service. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we saw the hotel room! Being designers, we are quick to assess the interiors of a space, and we are happy to say that Eos gets our stamp of approval. From the beautiful hardwood floors to the wood panelling and marble, the finishes made everything feel elevated – with a view to match. If you really care about your hotel experience when travelling, we highly recommend booking a weekend here. 

If you like wine you’ll love McLaren Vale, and if you don’t like wine — you’ll still love McLaren Vale! After spending a night in Adelaide, we decided to venture just 40 minutes out of the city to experience one of South Australia’s famous wine regions for ourselves. We started at Mitolo Wine, indulging in a superb Italian lunch and (of course) some drinks, overlooking an equally delectable vineyard scene. After lunch, we took some time to relax and admire the rolling green hills surrounding Mitolo, a glass of rosé in hand and a live DJ setting the tone. What we loved about McLaren Vale is that each winery has a personality — no two feel the same. Especially our favourite of the trip, the d’Arenberg Cube. I can’t believe it happened, but we found a venue more eccentric than our own home! There are multiple levels of art exhibit rooms to explore, with amazing 360-degree views of McLaren Vale. When you make it to the top of this Rubik’s Cube like structure, you’ll be treated to a wine tasting – making it an experience for every one of your senses. Art and wine are made to go hand in hand, so we had a ball! Tip: A word of advice from us: if you can, leave a whole day for McLaren Vale in your itinerary — there’s so much to explore here.

Who doesn’t love food?! It’s a staple in any itinerary, and South Australia is the state for foodies. The only problem? We are indecisive. Which made it hard to narrow down the dining options, but hey, what a nice problem to have. A few of our personal highlights included Frankie Italo Dining. We had the share plate experience, which was a great way to try a big chunk of the menu — you’ll want to do this because everything tastes exceptional. Pearl at Aldinga Beach was another favourite — we enjoyed some of the best seafood we’ve ever had, and it tasted even sweeter knowing it’s all ethically sourced. We also ate at Longplay Bistro, which served flavourful, hearty meals, as well as mulled wine. These were just some of our personal picks, but the great thing about South Australia is that you really can’t go wrong when it comes to fine dining. There’s a myriad of choices and a wide spectrum of flavours to dive into. Tip: check out some of South Australia’s official guides and itineraries for all the best local dining recommendations.