Links Lady Bay Resort Normanville’s review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Between sips of my lime milk, I can’t help thinking how lucky we are in Adelaide to have such quiet and beautiful beachside havens nearby.

I haven’t had a milkshake like it since I was a kid. And there’s probably a good reason for that.

Goodness knows how many kilojoules I’m slurping from the giant lime concoction clogging my straw, but there can be no regrets. It’s the kind of thing you’re allowed to do when you’re kicking back for a weekend break at the beach.

It’s certainly easy for Normanville to bring out the kid in you. It’s an unpretentious sort of place, without any of the fancy modern adornments you’ll find at more sophisticated sandy spots.

There’s an old-fashioned innocence that takes you back to that guilt-free time when big thick milkshakes were a treat and not a future death sentence.

It’s a cool Saturday morning, a bit grey and blowy, so there’s not many in the Normanville kiosk and cafe, with its fine view overlooking the old wooden jetty and child-friendly beach. That’s made it easy to get a park and take a pleasant stroll across a lush green lawn that looks just made for kicking a ball around or wiping the sand from your wet beachy feet.

Between sips of my lime milk, I can’t help thinking how lucky we are in Adelaide to have such quiet and beautiful beachside havens nearby.

Of course, I probably should be playing golf, since we’re staying at the Links Lady Bay Resort, set on a hillside with views to the coast and the dramatic hills that sweep down to the sea a little to the south.

The hotel itself, available for conferences with up to 200 people, is just a little worn around the edges, but the staff are very friendly and the rooms spacious and comfortable.

Linky The Lazy Grey kangaroo relaxes at Lady Bay.

We’re staying in a standard spa suite, with a massive bathroom, a galley style kitchen, and a bedroom that can be closed off from the living area for privacy or just to keep the morning light out.

The open plan main living area has a dining table, a lounge with a couple of armchairs and TV with Foxtel. But the main attraction, once the curtains are drawn back, is the vista across the golf course to the gulf.

The course does look tempting, no question. But the combination of a bit of rain, a lot of wind, and very little talent on my part, is enough to convince me that the extent of my involvement should be sitting on the veranda of our room and watching those with more skill tackle the fairways.

But I don’t sit empty-handed. Normanville has a few bakeries, and so does Yankalilla (which is basically the same place, just a kilometre or two inland).

In keeping with my milkshake health kick, I’ve decided to sample the wares of a few of them over the weekend – all in the interests of research, of course. So I’ve assembled a selection of treats to put the locals to the test: nothing healthy I know, but nothing immediately fatal. After some diligent sampling, my vote goes to the Yankalilla Bakery.

The Lady Bay resort is a big hotel, with plenty to do. There’s the golf course, obviously.

But there’s also tennis courts, a gym overlooking the course and a day spa with various types of massage.

And for those who don’t fancy the short drive to the beach, there’s a swimming pool and, for kids, a playground. There are also horse rides on a neighbouring property.

For dinner we decided to stay at the hotel with a few drinks in the bar beforehand. Clearly popular with the locals, the bar offers more great views across to the sea, perfect for relaxing before dinner at the adjoining a la carte restaurant, which also serves lunch (and breakfast again soon). A perfect place to reflect on that fine round of golf. Maybe tomorrow.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in August 2020 and had details updated in March 2021.

• 73 St Andrews Boulevard, Normanville
• 8558 0600
• bookings@ linksladybay.com.au

• LOCATION The seaside town of Normanville is about 76km southwest of Adelaide toward the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, and takes about 80 minutes by car.
• ACCOMMODATION Twenty-eight one bedroom king spa suites, with large corner spas and private balconies. All Standard and Superior rooms sleep up to four people, featuring king bed, two TVs, lounge and dining table, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities, Foxtel and free internet; Eagle’s Nest house sleeps groups of up to 18 people.
• FACILITIES Championship golf course, restaurant, bar and conference facilities, gym, outdoor pool, children’s playground and tennis courts, cellar door and diverse local activities. Nearby beaches, village atmosphere, less than 30 minutes from McLaren Vale wine region, and local markets.
• PRICE Ranges from $169 midweek to $219 Saturday for Standard; $10 more for slightly larger Superior suites, from $650 a night; Eagle’s Nest house from $650.