The Escape Hunt Experience and Lounge Adelaide review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

A 60-minute CBD adventure is a touch of Cluedo-meets-Sherlock Holmes.

I’m not really sure what to expect as I approach the side-street entrance to Escape Hunt. Sure, I know the historic old building is home to an escape room game and bar … but what the bejesus is that? I soon find out.

A pal dragged me along to the experience after hearing about it through a workmate. As advised, we turn up 10 minutes before the game is scheduled to start so that owners Steven and Emma Moad can explain what it’s all about.

We settle down into one of the lush vintage chairs in the Victorian, Sherlock-themed welcome lounge. Candles sit atop wine barrels, ancient leather lounges beckon and antique treasures fill cabinets. Beer, wine and spirits are served over a sweet little lounge bar.

I could spend all night here. But there’s detective work to do. Hidden beyond this chill out space is a series of rooms, three in fact. Each one is themed and the aim is simple; groups of two to five players (that’s us) get locked in a room and have 60 minutes (no more, no less) to find and solve a series of clues that lead to the exit.

Sounds easy? It’s not.

I’m a little scared as we approach the door to our room. We’ve gone for the Murder at the Winery experience; a mystery set in iconic wineries of the Barossa Valley. “Will it be dark in there? Will I freak out if it’s a small space? Will I look stupid if I can’t solve a single clue?”

Luckily my friend is (quite a bit) older than me so between us we’re confident we’ve got enough general knowledge and detective skills to get us through to the end.

We enter.

Can you solve the combination?

It’s not dark at all, in fact, it’s bright … like a picnic at a winery on a sunny day. I won’t go in to the specifics of the props, clues, questions or outcome (Sherlock doesn’t give away his tricks, dear Watson), but the design of the space blows our minds. Over the next hour we search for hidden objects, decode clues, solve puzzles and wreak havoc on the decor.

High up above us is a television screen which feeds us extra clues when we’re particularly confused. It is dumbfounding, frustrating and downright hilarious. I haven’t laughed this much in ages.

I’m proud to say we escape our wine murder mystery with just two seconds to spare. There are high fives all around as our hosts join us in the lounge for a debrief.

The husband and wife duo left full-time corporate jobs to follow their little business dreams, moving from Melbourne to Adelaide to do so. The concept is based on the digital “escape the room” games popular across the globe and the transformation of the formerly dust-packed space took months of blood, sweat and tears.

We calm our excitement with a glass of red and finish the night with a photo session using Sherlock Holmes-themed capes, hats, pipes and magnifying glasses. As we leave, we vow to return soon to crack the case in the other two escape rooms.

Anything could be a clue.

The Spy on the Beach room is based on the mystery of the real-life 1948 Somerton Man case, while Kidnapping at the Zoo is inspired by Newsboy the Hippo (based on the star of the zoo purchased using public funds raised by The News in 1934).

The bar opens to the general public from 5pm daily so if you’re just after a beverage in Victorian surrounds, that’s an option, too.

Over the festive period the experiences were popular with corporate groups (team bonding, baby) but they are also appropriate for children over the age of seven. You can’t use it as a babysitting session though, folks, as there must always be at least one player over the age of 16 in each room.

My sidekick and I are way above the age limit but feel like kids again. It’s not every day you get to behave like a real-life detective. Eat your heart out, Sherlock.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in January 2016 and details updated in March 2021

• Level 3, 133 Rundle Mall, Adelaide
• [phone]
• escapehunt.com/au/adelaide/
• LOCATION Rundle Mall, city (entrance on Twin St).
• WHAT IS IT A live-adventure escape room and bar in the heart of Adelaide. You have 60 minutes to solve a mystery and escape. They are now offering outdoor adventure games as well as play-at-home games that you can download, print and play at home.
• PRICE $32 per person for 5 players to $40 per person for 2 players.