What happens when you take everything that's wonderful about a weekend in McLaren Vale – beautiful accommodation, exceptional food and wine, art and spectacular landscapes – and add a little more imagination?

Welcome to The Whimsical Weekend, a one-off, two-night escape for grown-ups who haven't quite grown out of curiosity, play and wonder.

Limited to just 16 guests, this intimate weekend from Active Whimsy combines e-TukTuks, unusual e-bikes, coastal adventures, art, food, wine and a few surprises we're deliberately keeping to ourselves.

Arrive in McLaren Vale on Friday 27 November, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the evening at your own pace. Guests looking for an extravagant start to the weekend can also choose an optional Friday evening dining experience at Aptos in Stirling, with transfer back to McLaren Vale available.

After breakfast on Saturday, the whimsy begins in earnest.

Travel by e-TukTuk along the Fleurieu coast to Port Willunga, where a mermaid, her wrangler and a professional photographer will be waiting near the iconic jetty ruins. Choose a tail – or another suitably whimsical persona – and take part in individual and group photographs in one of South Australia's most beautiful coastal settings.

There'll be time to enjoy the beach before returning by TukTuk for a leisurely late lunch at Pearl, Aldinga Beach.

Back at your accommodation, there's time to relax before an easy Saturday evening of pizza and an outdoor screening of the only movie we could possibly choose: Splash under the stars.

Sunday gets a little surreal

After breakfast, meet some of the more unusual members of the SA eBikes fleet. Choose from our motorbike-inspired and surf-culture e-bikes and set out through McLaren Vale.

There may be a Lorax. There may be a Cat in the Hat. Participation in the wardrobe department is entirely optional – but encouraged.

At d'Arenberg, you'll be taken on a hosted journey through the Alternate Realities Museum before enjoying a specially created tasting of three wines with accompanying small bites – and a few unexpected twists. You'll then explore the wonderfully surreal Salvador Dalí exhibition before getting back on the bikes.

The journey continues to Angove for a light lunch and then Somos for our final wine experience before it's time to collect the bags and reluctantly return to reality.

Your weekend includes

Two nights' accommodation; Saturday and Sunday breakfast; scheduled transport throughout the weekend; e-TukTuk and e-bike experiences; Port Willunga mermaid experience and professional photoshoot; Saturday lunch at Pearl; pizza and outdoor movie night; specially created d'Arenberg experience; Sunday light lunch; wine experiences; and a few things we'd rather you discover for yourself.

Drinks beyond those specifically included are additional. Optional Friday dinner and associated transfer are not included.

Choose from the premium Divine Domes experience or our additional glamping accommodation. Places are strictly limited and accommodation is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

A note before you book

The Whimsical Weekend is a limited-capacity experience, with accommodation, activities and special arrangements reserved specifically for each guest. Bookings are non-refundable if you cancel, change your mind or are unable to attend. We recommend considering travel insurance to cover unexpected circumstances that may prevent you from joining us.

Please review the full Whimsical Weekend Terms & Conditions before booking. Nothing in our cancellation terms limits any rights you may have under Australian Consumer Law.

Adults only | 27–29 November 2026 | Maximum 16 guests | from $2250pp

Come curious.

We'll provide the whimsy.