A Gastronomic Road Trip
If you are looking for a Toyota Coaster adventure that involves delicious seafood, beautiful wines AND stunning scenery, then do I have a destination for you! I love food almost as much as I love travel, and the Star of Greece restaurant at Port Willunga had been on my restaurant wish list since we moved to South Australia seven years ago. It has an amazing reputation as one of South Australia’s finest restaurants so I was really keen to find out for myself why.
Now, with a name like the Star of Greece, you would be forgiven for thinking it was a Greek Restaurant. But no! It is in fact a seafood restaurant, and a very popular one at that. Located about one hour south of Adelaide city, it is a destination in itself. People come to Port Willunga just to dine at the Star of Greece. The restaurant is named after a ship that came to grief off Port Willunga in July 1888 during a violent storm. Interestingly the ship was only 200 metres from shore when it broke up. Nevertheless, at least 18 people perished when the ship went down. Parts of the ship are visible today when the tide is low.
Getting There
The restaurant is about one and a half hours drive from our house so it seemed like a perfect opportunity to take Molly the Camper Bus on a Toyota Coaster adventure and make a weekend of it. Our Toyota Coaster motorhome is the perfect base for a culinary camping adventure. Eat lunch at a nice restaurant, admire the views, enjoy a glass or two of wine, then relax in the bus for an afternoon nap!
Getting there involved a scenic drive along the stunning rugged coastline, with the azure waters of the Gulf St Vincent shimmering under the warm Australian sun. Arriving in Port Willunga, we were greeted by the sight of weathered cliffs, golden sands, and the iconic ruins of the Port Willunga Jetty, steeped in history and nostalgia. It’s like stepping into a postcard.
A lovely friend joined us for lunch and we started the gourmet experience by ordering a bottle of sparkling wine. The views from the restaurant are stunning. The restaurant is perched on top of a cliff and you can look out over the ocean which was sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight, just like our sparkling wine was. It’s like dining on the edge of the world – in the best possible way. This place isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a first class dining experience.
The seafood served at the Star of Greece is fresh and delicious. It really is a fantastic advertisement for South Australian seafood which would have to be amongst the best in the world.
We enjoyed plump oysters, grilled prawns, mouth watering scallops and fish so fresh it just melted in your mouth. It was such a treat. The relaxed ambiance, attentive service, and breathtaking views made for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Finding a Camp
After lunch, with full bellies and feeling sleepy from the wine, we farewelled our friend and made our way down the road to continue our Toyota Coaster adventure at the Big 4 Port Willunga Caravan Park. This tranquil haven is nestled amidst native bushland and is just a stone’s throw away from the beach. The park’s well-appointed facilities, (including spacious powered sites, modern amenities, clean amenities, laundry, camp kitchen & BBQs, swimming pool, giant jumping pillow, mini golf, playgrounds, tennis court & games room) and friendly staff, ensured a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Our Toyota Coaster Motorhome was easy to park up in our shady site, and we set about immersing ourselves in the natural beauty and laid-back charm of Port Willunga.
Being school holidays there were a lot of families camping at this caravan park, but there was plenty of room for everyone and it was an enjoyable stay. The tree opposite our campsite had a few people standing at its base at one point, looking up into the branches. We soon saw what they were looking at – a tawny frogmouth owl! Fast asleep on the tree branch.
Nearby Attractions
The caravan park is only 10 minutes from McLaren Vale which has some lovely wineries, café’s and restaurants to explore.
It is also a short walk from Maslin Beach which would have to be one of the prettiest beaches in South Australia with it’s high cliffs, protected cove and long sandy beach.
Maslin Beach is also popular with divers and snorkelers who can explore dramatic shipwrecks and stunning marine life, including the famed Leafy Sea Dragon.
Exploring Maslin Beach
Getting down to the beach itself involved a bit of a trek down a well constructed stair case. Once down on the beach there was a bit of a surprise. The southern end of the 3-kilometre-long beach is actually a nudist beach! How did we not know this? Thankfully it was a chilly day when we visited and only a couple of keen nudists were sunning themselves up the far southern end of the beach. Far enough away from prying eyes and unsuspecting tourists. Doing a bit of research for this article, I found that Maslin Beach actually has the distinction of being Australia’s first legal nudist beach. We certainly didn’t expect that on our Toyota Coaster adventure!
Our weekend at Port Willunga was a feast for the senses. From the culinary delights of the Star of Greece restaurant to the natural beauty of Maslin Beach, it was the perfect mix of wonder and adventure. So, here’s to embracing life’s surprises and soaking up the sunshine!
For more inspiration on Toyota Coaster adventures, visit our Destination ideas page.
