Destination Clare Valley, South Australia

Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission

BEST TIME TO GO TO THE CLARE VALLEY

Clare Valley flourishes during the autumn months making it the ideal time to visit. Expect warm days, with temperatures dipping to cool overnight. The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend in May is busy but don’t be put off by the crowds. It’s fabulous. Be sure to book accommodation early on Search and Stay. Spring is also popular before the summer heat sets in. Adelaideans flock to the Clare Valley for weekend escapes all year round. It can get busy so book ahead.

Shut the Gate, Clare Valley. Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission

THINGS TO DO IN THE CLARE VALLEY

Riesling Trail

Get on your bike and ride. The 35 kilometre Riesling Trail is one of the best bike rides in the country.  Running the length of the Clare Valley, it follows the old railway line, meaning no lactic-inducing hills.

There’s plenty of history, nature and wine sampling on the way. Several places offer bike hire for this must-do Clare Valley experience. Visit www.rieslingtrail.com.au 

Events

With an enviable events calendar, the Clare Valley stages gourmet food and wine showcases such as the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend held in May. There are picnic race meetings, country shows and music festivals. Take a look at the Clare Valley Events Guide for more information.

Heritage

The Clare Valley’s rich history is well preserved and well worth exploring. Visit Martindale Hall a Georgian style mansion with impressive collections of mementoes and original décor. Bungaree Homestead gives you a glimpse into old pastoralist days. Since the Jesuits first came to Clare Valley in 1851 and established Sevenhills Cellars, the winery has been a source of interest, as well as wine. It’s well worth the visit.

 Bungaree Homestead, Clare Valley. Credit: Georgie Mikus

BEST FOOD AND DRINK IN THE CLARE VALLEY

Best food in the Clare Valley

OK, not all things in life are easy. Deciding where to eat in the Clare Valley is tough. But on the upside, you can’t really go wrong. Clare Valley’s thriving food scene dishes up farmhouse eateries, winery estates and award-winning restaurants. Skillogalee is a good place to start with breakfast or a scrumptious lunch. Tucked away at Pikes Wines is Slate Restaurant, a gem in the local Clare Valley food scene. While Bush Devine Café serves up native ingredients from the garden for oh so yum indigenous food. Terrior Auburn, as the name suggests is in Auburn. It’s a popular favourite, as is Seed which is in Clare. Picnic hampers are an option if taking on the Riesling Trail. Head to Shut the Gate for pantry picks and locally made goodies, that will keep you peddling all day. Mr Mick’s is a great place to recoup at the pointy end of the trail.

 Seed, Clare Valley. Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission

Best coffee in the Clare Valley

When most wine lovers aren’t sipping wine, they can be found nursing a coffee. Clare Valley does well to cater to the caffeine hounds and serves up some delicious brews of coffee for all. Cafe1871 is the name on everyone’s jittery, pre-coffee lips. Also try Velvet and Willow in Auburn or when in the Burra area head to Good Golly Miss Polly.

Cafe 1871, Clare Valley. Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission BEST SHOPPING IN THE CLARE VALLEY

Shopping in the Clare Valley is all about the markets. And the markets are all about the locally, grown, produced or home-made goodies. You’ll find fresh seasonal produce, beautiful crafts, nurtured plants and quirky gifts. Keep up to date with which markets are happening where. You don’t want to miss out.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE CLARE VALLEY

You’ll want to stay awhile in the Clare Valley. Accommodation choices include country escapes, luxury holiday homes, charming cottages and more. The villages of Clare, Auburn, Watervale and Burra are the best options with restaurants, wineries and other conveniences nearby. Search and Stay has a myriad of holiday accommodation and home rentals in the Clare Valley.

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS TO THE CLARE VALLEY

While wine might be the drawcard for you, maybe not so much for the kids. But you will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to keep the family happy, while you still get your fair share of tasting. Along with lots of family-friendly wineries, head to Mintaro Maze where the kids can get lost amongst the conifers. Don’t worry, it’s almost guaranteed they will come out the other side. Bungaree Station, a working, historic sheep property will keep them busy. Or walk the path of megafauna Diprotodons, a huge wombat-like marsupial at Red Bank Conservation Park. Visit Clare Valley tourism for more ideas for families to explore.

THE HISTORY OF IN THE CLARE VALLEY

The Clare Valley region is part of Ngadjuri Country. The Ngadjuri people were nomadic but their population declined with colonization. Disease along with loss of water and food sources forced the local tribes to move on. In the 1840’s settlers came to the area with the promise of fertile soil ideal for crops and livestock. Wheat boomed in the area. Copper mining followed.  It was in the early 1950’s that the first grapes were planted by the Jesuits for sacramental wine. The winery, Sevenhills still functions today. More and more wineries popped up and now the Clare Valley is synonymous with producing the world’s best Riesling and other quality wines.

SEARCH AND STAY SECRET TIP

Clare Valley is home to Lake Bumbunga, also known as the Pink Lake. It's super funky, bubble gum pink shoreline will give you Insta worthy photos in a click. The backdrop is spectacular too. The water can turn from blue to white to bright pink at any time. It depends on the salinity of the water. And it’s cool to go for a walk on the lake. Just pack some shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.

You'll find all the holiday accommodation options you need for the Clare Valley on Search and Stay.

For more information try Clare Valley or South Australia Tourism.

Image Credit: South Australia Tourism Commission