A woman passionate about food, wine, art, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island is the perfect subject for the Fleurieu App - we share the same loves!

Today we are delighted to share a little about one of our local business women, Ros Miller.

Ros is the business owner at Red Poles Restaurant and Gallery. She does an amazing job showcasing all of her passions to locals and visitors alike.

Ros created Red Poles in 2005. Ros is an artist herself and now sees Red Poles as one giant canvas in constant state of reinvention. The spaces are eclectic and offer flexible options at many levels.

The owner of the fabulous red Poles Restaurant and Gallery. Tell us about Red Poles Inception and the passion behind the restaurant and gallery.

Red Poles was created in 2005 and initially was to be just a small café with working artists on site. Owner Ros has always had a passion for the arts and her vision and mission was to create a place with a focus on presenting the very best in food, wine and art in one space under one roof. There are 3 B&B rooms and an art gallery on site. Red Poles is surrounded by lawns and gardens and natural bushland so offers a unique ambient space for people to enjoy sitting outside enjoying the flowers and birdlife – especially the numerous little blue wrens! There are tasting paddles representing breweries and distilleries around the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island – craft beers by Smiling Samoyed and Goodiesons breweries, gin paddles by Kangaroo Island Spirits and a mix of drinks by Sparkke Beverages. There is a wine list representing McLaren Vale wineries including many small batch wineries who do not have their own cellar door and Red Poles also has a selection of wine paddles to try. There is also a cocktails list. Red Poles opens for breakfast and lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and there is a live music program every Sunday afternoon. The art gallery features regular Indigenous exhibitions as well as an annual Aboriginal arts festival including an arts market. Other display areas represent works by some 200 South Australian artists.

I know you love art and believe in art for healing the body and soul. Recently I realised you have had your own personal experience with this. Please tell us about the experience if you are willing.

I was on the arts board for Arts and Health at Flinders Medical Centre for many years and exhibited there as an artist too. In 2011 I had the misfortune to have a very bad accident in Alaska when a glacier calved and the boat I was on was too close and I was hit by a missile of frozen ice which completely shattered the femur in my right leg and I nearly died as a result. I had initial surgery in Juneau, Alaska before being medi vaced back to Adelaide for further surgery and months of rehab. Spending so much time in hospital reinforced my belief in the importance of art in the process of healing. 

You are an integral part of Fleurieu Arts Trail, could you please tell us more about the arts trail?

I created the Fleurieu Arts Trail in 2005 with an initial 19 participants and this has grown over the years to more than 120 participants and will again be reinvigorated and updated in 2021. The idea is that the region has been divided into easy day trips to visit art galleries and studios and to enjoy the many different mediums in very different surroundings. Many wineries exhibit art as do restaurants and cafes so all the senses can be explored! There are numerous arts festivals and cultural events with a focus including the arts. Venues fly a purple art trail flag so that tourists can easily identify a gallery, studio or workshop.

MY TOP TIPS

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite…Willunga market
• Have a more serious feed Current Shed…
• Get a cuppa…Blessed Cheese
• Have a beer (or cold drink)…Smiling Samoyed
• Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere)...Samson Tall
• Go for a dip…Second Valley
• Explore nature…Yankalilla

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I… 

• feel…inspired
• always make sure I visit…one of the wineries 
• stock up on…local produce at the Willunga markets 

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here:

Red Poles has a resident friendly ghost who is always playing tricks on us

Best memory of being here:

The wonderful produce, wines, talented artists and musicians and friendly faces

Most colourful character I’ve run into: 

Chester Osborne

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Take the time to explore the many wonderful experiences

More information and to follow Red Poles HERE