We’ve sought out the best regional events on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend to help plan a road trip for every family.

Words Ben Kelly

ON THE GRAPEVINE

It has become a South Australian custom on the Queen’s Birthday weekend to get some friends together and head to McLaren Vale’s three-day Sea & Vines festival, just a short 45-minute drive or bus trip from Adelaide. There is a plethora of choices across the three-day food and wine festival, from intimate dinners to winemaker-led tastings, food vans and live music. A ticket for the popular Sunday Experience allows entry to two venues of your choosing, while the Family Fun Monday provides a slower-paced family day out with free entry to participating wineries.

Details: seaandvines.com.au

SURF’S UP

In its seventh year, the annual Hurley Winter Classic has grown to become one of South Australia’s biggest surfing contests, attracting top surfers from as far away as Queensland to compete in the large winter swell of the southern Fleurieu Peninsula. Surfing will be held either Saturday or Sunday, June 8 or 9, at a south coast location to be announced via social media in the days leading up to the event. On Friday, June 7, The Surf Shop Victor Harbor will host an evening of t-shirt printing and a chance to meet the competitors.

Details: surfingaustralia.com/SurfingSouthAustralia

ON YOUR BIKE

The population of the historic Southern Flinders Ranges town of Melrose will swell to double over the June long weekend, with 600 mountain bike riders expected to converge for the Melrose Fat Tyre Festival on June 8 and 9. The two-day event will be packed with skills clinics, guided rides and entertainment, while the nights will be filled with opportunities to get to know fellow riders, many of whom return to the festival year-after-year. There are activities for all ages, with a movie night, ghost tours, live music, food trucks and more. Melrose is located 265 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Details: bikemelrose.com.au

RUN AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND

For those after a challenging long weekend, the Cleland 50 offers a 50-kilometre cross-country run in the beautiful Cleland Conservation Park on Sunday, June 9. While local runners can register for the Cleland 50, the event also doubles as the Australian Short Course Championships. “The event will attract runners from all over Australia as they vie to become the Australian Short Course Trail Champion,” says race director Ben Hockings. The course utilises off-road cross country trails and fire tracks, with stunning views of Adelaide and hills that are guaranteed to get the legs burning.

Details: ultrasa.com.au

This is just a taste of what’s on offer around South Australia, find the full list in the June 2019 issue of SALIFE, in newsagents now.