Clare Valley

Clare Valley is one of Australia’s most charming wine regions, known for its premium rieslings and stunning rural landscapes. Located just a two-hour drive north of Adelaide, it offers a relaxed escape with cellar doors, heritage towns, and cycling trails through vineyards. The region’s intimate scale and friendly cellar-door hospitality make it a favourite for travellers seeking authentic wine-country experiences without the crowds.

Highlights & What to See

• Riesling Trail: A 35km cycling and walking path linking seven cellar doors and historic towns like Auburn and Clare. Rent a bike and pedal through vine-covered hills, stopping for tastings along the way.
• Sevenhill Cellars: The region’s oldest winery (1851), founded by Jesuits. Explore the underground cellars and beautiful stone church, and sample their acclaimed riesling and fortified wines.
• Martindale Hall: A grand 1879 Georgian-style mansion near Mintaro, used as a filming location for Picnic at Hanging Rock. Tours reveal opulent period interiors and manicured gardens.
• Clare Valley Gourmet Trail: Beyond wine, the region excels in artisan cheese, olives, and smoked produce. Visit farms like Wood’s Cheese and Summertown Olives for tastings.
• Skillogalee Winery & Restaurant: A standout for its food and wine pairing, with a sunny terrace overlooking the valley. Their riesling and shiraz are excellent.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least two full days to explore Clare Valley properly. Spend day one cycling the Riesling Trail and visiting cellar doors in the southern half (Auburn to Clare). Day two can focus on the northern wineries around Watervale and Sevenhill, plus a visit to Martindale Hall. If you only have a day, concentrate on the stretch between Clare and Sevenhill, but you’ll miss the trail’s full charm.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Barossa Valley: Just 1.5 hours south, Australia’s most famous wine region offers bigger labels and grand cellar doors. Great for a contrast in scale and style.
• Adelaide Hills: An hour south-west, this cooler-climate region produces superb sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, with charming towns like Hahndorf.
• Flinders Ranges: A 3-hour drive north, this dramatic outback landscape offers hiking, wildlife, and ancient geological formations like Wilpena Pound.
• Yorke Peninsula: 1.5 hours west, with pristine beaches, fishing villages, and the historic copper-mining town of Moonta.

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