It's not until you arrive at
Banrock Station in the Riverland region of South Australia that you realise you're about to visit something more than just another winery.
Banrock Station is in the magnificent Riverland region of South Australia, the heart of wine-growing country and overlooking the Murray River. Photo: Ian Gill / Footloose PhotoBank
More than somewhere to sample great wines and food Banrock Station is a wine and wetland centre where the internationally significant natural habitat zones co-exist with the magnificent vineyards.
For almost 25 years now Banrock has been restoring the wetlands through the introduction of natural wetting and drying cycles and large-scale plantings of native trees and shrubs that create a natural haven for native wildlife.
At Banrock Station natural habitat zones and restored wetlands co-exist with the vineyards. Photo: Ian Gill / Footloose PhotoBank
On the business side of things, Banrock Station is producing flavoursome, value for money wines using grapes particularly suited to the South Australian climate, including a range of Mediterranean varieties.
And if you need any more incentive to try the Banrock Station product you can sip away knowing that the company funds a range of worldwide environmental projects having committed more than $AUD6 million so far to 130 projects in 13 countries.
The Banrock Station Wine & Wetland Centre includes a number of walks ranging from 1 to 3 hours duration that allow visitors to enjoy the wetlands and Murray River floodplains whilst encountering lots of local wildlife.
And after a walk in the bush, it's only natural that you'd want to sit back, relax and enjoy the amenities of the Cellar Door and restaurant.
The outdoor area of the Cellar Door and restaurant complex is a great place to kick back with a glass of Banrock Station wine and take in the panoramic views across the wetlands to the Murray River. Photo: Ian Gill / Footloose PhotoBank
The range of wines includes old favourites such as Shiraz, Shiraz Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio & Moscato and then there are some that you might not recognise but are none the less very worthy of trying, Fiano, Tempranillo or Montepulciano.
The restaurant serves Weekday and Weekend Breakfast and Lunch & Grazing daily. The breakfast is great but the Lunch & Grazing Menu really is something.
A Tasting Platter comprised of Lemongrass chicken skewers Lemon Myrtle Lamb slider with River date chutney, spiced almonds and creamy brie.
Mains include Baked Riverland Murray Cod, grain fed Porterhouse with calamari, scallops, prawns and garlic.
Pan fired prawns with crab and barramundi cakes, crispy salad and aioli ……….I could go on and on but I'd only be torturing you!!
I came, I saw, I loved it and I will be back.
Visitors to Banrock Station can sample the range of wines or enjoy an extensive Lunch & Grazing Menu in relaxed, air-conditioned comfort. Photo: Ian Gill / Footloose PhotoBank
Banrock Station is at Kingston On Murray in the Riverland region of South Australia and 208 Kilometres northeast of Adelaide, about a 2½-hour drive via the National Highway/A20.
It's 711 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, about an 8–hour drive via the Calder Freeway/M79, the Mallee Highway/B12 and B57 and the National Highway/A20.
