Food Experience Naracoorte

Highlights

• A private, behind-the-scenes exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Naracoorte Caves, led by a senior guide with real depth of knowledge
• Time inside the Fossil Lab, where you may see researchers at work on discoveries still being pieced together
• A set menu lunch at Ottelia, one of Coonawarra's finest tables
• A private, hosted tour through Yallum Park, the grand mansion built in 1880 for Coonawarra's founder, John Riddoch
Tour Overview

This is a day for people who like to properly understand a place, not just pass through it. We built it for guests who want time with an expert, not a script, and a private mansion tour rather than a queue.

We start with more than three hours inside the Naracoorte Caves, well beyond what a general visit allows. Your guide has spent years working in these chambers and knows them the way most people know their own home. You'll walk through the Victoria Fossil Cave, one of the most significant Ice Age fossil sites on earth, and into the Fossil Lab, where the region's palaeontologists piece together the story of the animals that once lived here. If the team is in, you may get to see that work happening in front of you.

From there, we head to Ottelia in Coonawarra for a set lunch built on produce from the district, before finishing the day at Yallum Park. Built in 1880 for John Riddoch, the man who first planted Coonawarra's vines, this is one of the best-preserved Victorian homesteads in the country. Fourteen-foot ceilings, marble mantelpieces, stained glass and a remarkable collection of original English wallpapers tell the story of a family who built something to last. We host this part of the day ourselves, at a pace that lets you actually take it in.
What's Included

• A private, guided exploration of the Naracoorte Caves, over three hours, with a senior guide
• Access to the Fossil Lab and active dig sites
• A set menu lunch at Ottelia, Coonawarra
• A private, hosted tour of Yallum Park homestead
• Travel in our Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
• Pick-up from Penola, Coonawarra or Naracoorte accommodation
Good to Know

• Private tour for 2 to 4 guests, with pricing tiered by group size
• A teenager add-on rate applies for guests aged 12 to 17
• All entry, tasting and lunch fees are included in the price
• By request only