AmazingCo Mystery Picnic Review: Is It Worth It?

Have you ever heard of a Mystery Picnic? It’s a bit like a treasure hunt, except instead of searching for treasure, you’re collecting delicious food for a picnic.

Along the way, you solve clues, discover local businesses and explore places you might otherwise have walked straight past.

It sounded like my kind of day out, so when I had the opportunity to try an AmazingCo Mystery Picnic in Adelaide, I was keen to give it a go.

Even though Adelaide is my home city, I was surprised by how many new places we discovered.

There was plenty of walking, a little rain, some interesting clues and far more food than we could possibly eat.

But was it worth the money? And would I recommend a Mystery Picnic to others?

Here’s how our Adelaide Mystery Picnic went, what you can expect if you book one yourself, and a few tips for making the most of your day.

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What Is a Mystery Picnic?

A Mystery Picnic is a self-guided food adventure that combines a treasure hunt with a gourmet picnic.

Organised by AmazingCo, the idea is simple. You solve a series of clues that lead you to different local businesses, where you collect food and drinks for your picnic.

You won’t know exactly where you’re going or what you’ll be eating until you get there. That’s all part of the fun!

Once you’ve collected everything, your final clue takes you to a picnic spot where you can sit down and enjoy your feast.

Mystery Picnics are available in various locations across Australia and overseas, with experiences designed for couples, families and groups of friends.

Some are walkable, while others require a car to travel between stops. Each experience provides information about what to expect, so you can choose one that suits you.

And don’t worry if you’re not great at puzzles. There are hints available if you get stuck, so you won’t be left wandering around wondering where to go next.

Most experiences take around three to four hours, although you can take longer if you want to explore along the way.

Browse Mystery Picnic locations and experiences here.

Our Mystery Picnic Experience in Adelaide

The first step was choosing which Mystery Picnic to do.

There were several options available around Adelaide, including experiences in the city and surrounding regions.

We decided on the Spring Blossom City Side Mystery Picnic, a seasonal experience that promised beautiful spring flowers and a picnic in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

I particularly liked the idea of sitting under the beautiful wisteria arbour in the gardens, enjoying our picnic surrounded by flowers.

As it turned out, that’s not quite where we ended up, but I’ll get to that shortly.

Solving Our First Clue

The day before our picnic, we received an email containing our first clue and a link to the online experience.

Here’s my first tip: solve that initial clue before you’re ready to head out!

We left it until just before we were about to start, only to discover that our first stop was further from our hotel than we’d expected.

It wasn’t a disaster, but we would have left a little earlier if we’d known.

We were staying in Adelaide’s city centre, so we’d decided to complete the Mystery Picnic on foot.

We love walking, and I think it’s one of the best ways to explore a city. You notice so much more when you’re wandering along the streets rather than driving past everything.

What we hadn’t quite anticipated was just how much walking we’d end up doing!

By the end of our adventure, we’d covered around 10 kilometres, although that included a few detours of our own.

If walking that far doesn’t appeal to you, check the details of your chosen Mystery Picnic carefully. Some experiences are designed for walking, while others require a car.

Following the Clues Around Adelaide

I don’t want to spoil the experience by revealing exactly where we went or which businesses we visited. After all, the mystery is half the fun.

But I can tell you that we discovered some lovely corners of Adelaide, including places we’d never visited before.

We also saw plenty of spring blossoms, so that part of the experience certainly lived up to its name.

Each clue led us to another location, where we’d collect something for our picnic before tackling the next puzzle.

The clues were fun without being frustrating, and there were hints available if we needed a little help.

We’d forgotten to bring the pen and paper suggested in the instructions, but our phones worked perfectly well. One of us read the clues while the other typed out possible answers.

Even though Adelaide is my home city, I enjoyed having someone else decide where we were going for a change.

It was a lovely excuse to wander through familiar streets, take a few unexpected turns and discover businesses we might otherwise never have noticed.

We also found some great street art and a few eateries we made a mental note to return to.

What Food Do You Get on a Mystery Picnic?

One of the things I was most curious about was the food.

Would there be enough? Would we like everything? And would it actually feel like a gourmet picnic, or just a collection of random snacks?

As it turned out, we certainly didn’t need to worry about going hungry!

At the various stops along our Mystery Picnic, we collected bread, cakes, juice, cheese, crackers, dips, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, marinated mushrooms and artichokes.

There were even some sweet treats to finish off our feast.

By the time we’d collected everything, we had quite a spread.

In fact, there was so much food that we couldn’t eat it all. We kept the leftovers and enjoyed them as a morning snack the following day.

Of course, the exact food you receive will vary depending on the Mystery Picnic you choose and the local businesses involved.

Can Mystery Picnics Cater for Dietary Requirements?

When we booked, I requested a vegan picnic, but explained that only one of us was vegan.

I was pleased that this was accommodated, and at a couple of stops we were given different items to suit each of us.

It was a nice touch and meant we could both enjoy the experience.

AmazingCo currently offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on many routes at no additional cost.

However, what’s available depends on the experience, so check the dietary options when booking.

If you have a serious food allergy, contact AmazingCo before booking to discuss your requirements. Because the food comes from different local businesses, they cannot guarantee that everything will be completely free of allergens.

Finding Our Final Picnic Spot

After collecting all our food, it was time to find our picnic destination.

I’d been looking forward to sitting beneath the wisteria arbour in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, but unfortunately, the weather had other ideas.

It had been a little drizzly throughout the day, and we ended up finding shelter beneath a huge tree instead.

Not quite the picture-perfect spring picnic I’d imagined, but it worked!

We spread out our food and tucked into everything we’d collected along the way.

As we ate, we talked about the different places we’d visited and the businesses we’d discovered.

Despite the weather, it was a lovely way to finish our adventure.

And for me, the experience wasn’t just about the food. It was about spending a few hours exploring our own city and finding things we hadn’t noticed before.

How Long Does a Mystery Picnic Take?

Our Adelaide Mystery Picnic took around four hours from start to finish, including solving the clues, collecting the food and enjoying our picnic.

We weren’t in any hurry, though. Part of the fun was being able to stop and explore whenever something caught our attention.

AmazingCo recommends allowing around three to four hours for most Mystery Picnics, although this varies by location.

I’d suggest allowing at least half a day rather than trying to squeeze the experience into a busy schedule.

After all, the whole point is to enjoy discovering somewhere new, not to rush from one clue to the next.

It’s also worth checking the recommended start time. Some food collection stops have specific opening hours, so you can’t necessarily start whenever you like.

My tip: Wear comfortable shoes if you’re doing a walking Mystery Picnic, and leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy the food at the end.

How Much Does a Mystery Picnic Cost?

Mystery Picnic prices vary depending on the location, the number of people and the experience you choose.

As a guide, Australian Mystery Picnics generally start at around $150-$160 for two people, although prices can change and some experiences cost more.

Family and group options are also available.

The price includes the food you collect along the way, as well as the clues and the planning that goes into organising your adventure.

You don’t need to pay separately for the food at each stop.

We chose the standard all-inclusive Mystery Picnic, which provided more than enough food for the two of us.

Some experiences also offer a premium upgrade, which can include an additional stop, a hot drink and a special gourmet snack. Wine may be available as an optional extra.

Just remember that transport and parking costs aren’t included, and you’ll need to bring your own picnic blanket and other essentials.

Check current Mystery Picnic prices and locations here.

Is a Mystery Picnic Worth It?

For us, absolutely!

We had a lovely afternoon exploring Adelaide, discovered some new local businesses and ended up with more delicious food than we could eat.

But is it good value for money?

If you’re looking at the cost purely as a picnic lunch, you could certainly put together something cheaper yourself.

But I don’t think that’s really the point.

You’re paying for an experience that combines exploring, solving clues, visiting local businesses and enjoying some delicious food along the way.

Could we have wandered around Adelaide and bought our own picnic ingredients for less? Absolutely.

But we probably wouldn’t have visited the same places or discovered some of the hidden corners we found along the way.

And that’s where I think the real value lies.

I love exploring a city on foot, and having a series of clues to follow made it feel like a little adventure rather than just another walk.

It’s not something I’d do every weekend, particularly at the price, but for an occasional treat or special occasion, I think it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Who Would Enjoy a Mystery Picnic?

I think a Mystery Picnic would be particularly good for:

• Couples looking for a different kind of date, whether it’s a special occasion or simply an excuse to spend time together.
• Groups of friends who enjoy food, a bit of adventure and doing something different together.
• Families wanting an activity that combines exploring and solving puzzles. Check the details of individual experiences for age recommendations.
• Visitors to a new city who want to discover local businesses and neighbourhoods beyond the usual tourist attractions.
• Locals who feel like they’ve seen everything their city has to offer. You might be surprised by what you discover!

It’s also a lovely gift idea for someone who prefers experiences over more stuff.

AmazingCo offers Mystery Picnic gift cards, so the recipient can choose a suitable date for their adventure.

My Tips for Your First Mystery Picnic

Having done one myself, there are a few things I’d recommend before heading off.

1. Solve your first clue in advance. We left ours until the last minute and discovered that our starting point was further away than expected. Knowing where you’re going makes planning your day much easier.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re doing a walking Mystery Picnic, you could be on your feet for several hours.

3. Allow plenty of time. Don’t rush through the clues just to get to the picnic. Exploring along the way is a big part of the experience.

4. Bring your phone fully charged. You’ll need internet access for your clues, and your phone is handy for recording answers, taking photos and checking directions.

5. Check what you need to bring. A picnic blanket is a good idea, along with a bag to carry your food, water and anything else suggested in your instructions. Don’t assume picnic equipment will be provided.

6. Mention dietary requirements when booking. We were able to have different food items to suit our preferences, but it’s important to check what can be accommodated.

7. Keep an eye on the weather. Our picnic was a little drizzly, but it didn’t spoil the day. Some experiences have indoor or undercover options, while rescheduling due to bad weather generally requires three business days’ notice. Check the conditions for your booking.

And finally, don’t worry too much about getting stuck on the clues. There are hints available, and you can reveal the answers if necessary.

Would I Do Another Mystery Picnic?

Yes, I would.

I enjoyed the combination of discovering new places, solving clues and collecting food along the way.

I’d particularly like to try one somewhere I’ve never visited before, to see how different the experience feels when I’m exploring a completely unfamiliar city.

And hopefully, next time we’ll have a little more sunshine!

If you’re interested in trying one yourself, take a look at the different locations and experiences available.

Browse AmazingCo Mystery Picnics and find one near you.

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