Clare Valley

Rolling green hills, rows of vines stretching to the horizon, and a pace of life that slows you down the moment you arrive: Clare Valley is South Australia’s most underrated wine region. Just 90 minutes north of Adelaide, this compact valley packs in exceptional riesling, historic stone towns, and a network of cycling trails that link cellar doors, bakeries, and galleries. It’s a blissful escape for anyone who loves wine, food, and the quiet beauty of the Australian countryside.

Highlights & What to See

• Riesling Trail: A 27 km cycling and walking path along a former railway line, connecting Auburn, Clare, and Sevenhill. Hire a bike and pedal between cellar doors, stopping for tastings of Clare Valley’s world-class riesling and shiraz.
• Sevenhill Cellars: The region’s oldest winery, founded by Jesuits in 1851. The historic stone cellar and underground crypt make this a fascinating stop for both wine and history buffs.
• Martindale Hall: A grand Georgian-style mansion from the 1870s, famous as the setting for the film Picnic at Hanging Rock. Wander its opulent rooms and manicured gardens.
• Clare Gourmet Weekend: Held each May, this festival showcases local food, wine, and live music. Even outside the event, the valley’s farmgate produce and artisan cheeses are a highlight.
• Bungaree Station: A working sheep station established in 1841, offering heritage accommodation, farm tours, and a chance to experience outback life on a grand scale.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least two full days to appreciate Clare Valley properly. A classic itinerary: Day 1 – arrive, settle into a historic B&B, then cycle the southern half of the Riesling Trail from Auburn to Clare, visiting wineries and grabbing lunch at a cellar door. Day 2 – explore the northern trail to Sevenhill and Penwortham, tour Martindale Hall, and finish with a long lunch at one of the valley’s acclaimed restaurants. If you have a third day, add a side trip to the Burra historic mining town or the wildflower-rich Spring Gully Conservation Park.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Burra: A wonderfully preserved copper-mining town with underground mine tours, historic cottages, and a museum that brings the 19th-century boom to life (45 minutes east).
• Adelaide Hills: On the drive back to Adelaide, detour through the Adelaide Hills for more wine, the German-influenced town of Hahndorf, and bushwalking at Mount Lofty (1 hour south).
• Flinders Ranges: For a longer trip, push north to the dramatic Flinders Ranges, where you can hike Wilpena Pound and spot kangaroos and emus (3.5 hours north).
• Yorke Peninsula: Head west for coastal scenery, fishing villages, and the Innes National Park – a great contrast to the valley’s green hills (2 hours west).

Please check official sources for current details.