Around an hour’s drive south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula is the Myponga Reservoir which has recently been opened up for families to enjoy its scenic outlook and recreation options. A visit makes for an interesting day out in nature to go bushwalking, ride a bike, have a picnic, see plenty of kangaroos in the wild and get wide scenic views. After a healthy day out there’s also a way you can reward yourself at the end.

A walking trail has been created in the reserve and this loop takes you up a pretty steep incline for starters but of course with this comes the view.  As you look back or take advantage of some seating at lookout areas, you can see part of the reservoir and by taking a break and a close look you’ll start to notice heaps of kangaroos throughout the reserve. There are toilet facilities because this is a drinking water catchment area, and dogs are not permitted in the reserve.

The trail does eventually flatten out and then following the track you are taken past a forest of pines that you can venture into to find more scenic views. Gradually the trail goes downhill and onto flat ground again as you go past the reservoir.  Shore based fishing is allowed but unlike other recreational fishing in South Australia, you need a permit which you can organise online, and there is a designated fishing zone. If you follow the complete walking trail and take a couple of detours to the lookouts, you’ll walk around 5 kilometres but give yourself a couple of hours to stop and admire the views and watch the kangaroos along the way.

The reservoir is open from 1 April to 30 September from 7.30am – 5pm and from 1 October to 30 March 7.30am – 8pm. It is closed on total fire ban days, if there are any days with poor weather conditions and also if SA Water have any operational need to close.

After a healthy walk and day out in nature you can treat yourself to another Myponga must do, the Smiling Samoyed Brewery, which happens to be directly opposite the walking trail. This family owned microbrewery is open every day 12noon to 4pm weekdays and until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. During the week the food is a limited selection and a more extensive menu including wood oven pizzas are available for lunches on weekends. The brewery was established in 2012 and was named after their dogs who happily roam through the brewery and greet visitors. Kent was there as the ‘Ambassadog’ on the day we visited.

The range of brews on tap and in bottles include a pale ale, dark ale, Australian Kolsch and an IPA. For non-beer drinkers there are also wines, spirits and soft drinks available. The brewery is onsite and you can see the tanks through a viewing window with tours available with a booking. You also have a choice of where to sit and enjoy your visit either inside or outdoors with a view over the reservoir and reserve. Weather permitting this is a great option as you can still spot kangaroos while you drink and dine.

I’ll leave you with some pictures of Kent and the reason why the brewery was obviously called ‘Smiling Samoyed’.

Cheers

Glenys