This weekend, get sporty with the Adelaide Equestrian Festival and LIV Golf, or go regional as Port Lincoln hosts SALT Festival and the Fleurieu Peninsula puts on the McLaren Vale Vintage & Classic and Festival Fleurieu.

Words Elisabeth Marie

Horsing around

Prep and primp for an evening of polo on Friday, April 21 at the SALIFE Polo by Night game. From 6pm to 11pm, guests can enjoy mingling at the bar and listening to live music on either side of the polo action that kicks off at 7pm. It’s all part of the Adelaide Equestrian Festival, which runs from April 20 to 23 in the East Parklands. The festival boasts four days of equestrian competition, but also brings a buzzing atmosphere to the parklands, featuring wares for sale and local produce to enjoy. There is also the option to splurge on a VIP package to relax at the Giddy Up Club, Peppermint Grove Lounge or Barrister’s Block Blush Bar.

Inspired by the sea

Head to Port Lincoln and dive into a world of creativity, culture and innovation at the annual SALT Festival. The southern Eyre Peninsula will come to life with art exhibitions, live performances, workshops and educational experiences from April 21 to 30. The Nautilus Arts Centre will be hosting a workshop with the Australian Dance Theatre exploring Daniel Riley’s latest work Tracker, as well as live musical and comedy performances and a feature art exhibition The Eternal Dance. Concerts will also be held on the Coffin Bay Foreshore and educational workshops will take place at ArtEyrea, while Beer Garden Brewing hosts intimate gigs and seafood feasts.

Tee up

The LIV Golf tournament will be teeing off at Adelaide’s Grange Golf Club from April 21 to 23. With 12 teams made up of 48 professional players, the league offers individual and team competitions with shotgun starts to keep the action non-stop throughout the tournament. Alongside the action, attendees can enjoy perusing the Fan Village, listening to live music and indulging in local food and beverages. For those looking to make their day a little extra special, plenty of hospitality experiences are on offer from a multi-course seasonal fare in The Cellar Door to an all-inclusive bar at Sky Box.

Keeping with the classics

Embrace the rumbling of motors as a grand parade of motoring history cruises the streets of McLaren Vale on Sunday, April 23 at the 2023 Vintage and Classic. Set against the region’s picturesque vineyards, up to 400 vintage and classic motor vehicles will be showcased alongside vintage fashion, local wines, gourmet food and live entertainment at the 12 participating wineries. The parade begins at Serafino Wines before rolling down Main Road at 11am. Spectators and participants are encouraged to dress in era clothing to vie for the “best dressed” award.

Game on

The SA Masters Games will be held on the Copper Coast from April 20 to 23 encouraging mature-aged South Australians to partake in sports with same-aged peers. This year, 30 sports will be played including archery, equestrian and dirt kart racing in locations across the Copper Coast from Kadina to Moonta and Wallaroo. Former 208-game AFL player Sam Jacobs is the event’s ambassador. “Our community takes a lot of pride in their sports offerings … I know our locals will band together to make next year’s event the best yet,” Sam says.

Frolic on the Fleurieu

Festival Fleurieu will be taking over the region for its 10^th year from April 21 to 30 with a line-up of art exhibitions, live performances, workshops and food and wine. The festival opens at the Myponga Reservoir with a Welcome to Country at 11:15am before guests are invited to wander sculptural exhibitions, listen to live music, try their hand at kayaking or boomerang throwing, take guided bush walks or engage with nature crafts. Throughout the festival, locals and visitors alike will enjoy everything from cheesemaking workshops to opera, birdwatching walks to brewery tours.

Island adventures

Get your tickets now for Tasting Australia Airlines – Kangaroo Island tour. On Saturday, May 6, guests will touch down on Kangaroo Island ahead of a day enjoying the best flavours and scenery the island offers. Start the day at the Islander Estate Vineyards with sparkling wine and culinary delights from Three Blue Ducks’ head chef before heading to Cygnet Park Sanctuary to explore the rare plants alongside beverages from Kangaroo Island Spirits. Guests will then head to the beachside to enjoy fresh seafood at The Oyster Farm. Before flying back to Adelaide, a trip to Oceanview Eco Villas at Nepean Bay will include a decadent meal from the head chef of McLaren Vale’s Salopian Inn.

For more of what’s on around South Australia this month, pick up the April issue of SALIFE, which is on sale now.