Discover the Food

Food History

The first humans to experience the abundance of this land were the Kaurna Aboriginal people, its traditional inhabitants. Taking advantage of its natural bounty for over 6,000 years, they lived well on the plentiful nuts, roots, fruits and seeds found in its bushland. Their subsistence diet was supplemented by yabbies and fish from the Peninsula’s extensive waterways, as well as marsupials, birds and reptiles.

The 1830’s brought new settlers to the Fleurieu Peninsula. With these predominantly English migrants came European farming practises, domestic animals, cereal crops, seeds, cuttings and long-established cooking traditions. Their diet was based around what each local community could produce: livestock, grain crops, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Any additional supplies required had to be brought down from Adelaide – a very labour-intensive exercise.

Because of their isolation, these rural settlements eventually developed a strong sense of community and self-reliance, resulting in the formation of a rich cultural tapestry – each township with its own unique celebrations, ceremonies and special events.

These events were often intimately connected with the agricultural focus of a particular district. For instance, the first grape vines planted around McLaren Vale would begin a great wine tradition. Today, the town’s yearly Bushing Festival still sees winemakers and growers toasting in the new vintage amid great revelry. In nearby Willunga, with its long history of almond production, their festive calendar is linked to the almond season, when locals celebrate their Almond Blossom Festival in anticipation of the crop to come.

Over time, the region’s food culture continues to be shaped with new crop plantings, increasing numbers of food tourists and a general culinary awareness. 2004 sees our region’s first Olive Oil Festival in acknowledgement of yet another burgeoning rural industry.