The Clare Valley wine area is situated north of Adelaide, approximately 90 minutes drive. The area was colonized in the late 1830s when the first vines were planted, and wines were made in the early 1840s. A trip to the Region is a must for lovers of fine wine, beautiful scenery, and exciting history. With regards to Winemaking, The Clare Valley is famous for its Riesling wines. The region also has a lot more to offer than just wineries. With the amazing Riesling trail and beautiful nature walks at Spring gully Conservation park. There are 30 wineries in the Clare Valley all within 40km of each other.
Getting To The Clare Valley
By Car- The drive to Clare Valley takes around 90 minutes from Adelaide.
By Bus- Travelling from Adelaide to Clare Valley by bus is the next best alternative if you don’t have a car or your own transport when visiting Adelaide. You must plan your trip in advance and reserve your bus tickets. If you prefer to go from Adelaide to Clare Valley by bus, there are three scheduled departures every week from Adelaide.
1. Ride the Riesling Trail
The Riesling Trail is a 35 km of trail that stretches through the famous South Australian wine region known for producing excellent quality Riesling wine. The trail begins at Auburn and goes through Clare and ends at Barina. It was initially an old railway line. However, after its train tracks were destroyed during a disastrous fire known as the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfire, it became repurposed as a cycling and walking track. The trail can also be extended following the rattler trail from Auburn to Riverton. There is plenty of places to Hire a bike from in the region. Bike hire from Clare Valley Cycle Hire starts from $35 for a full day mountain bike hire or Electric Bikes for $70 for a full day.
Visit A Winery
Eldredge Vineyards– The cellar door is open 7 days a week from 11 am to 5 pm. Eldredge has a small Providore Store for D.I.Y. picnics and platters.
Shut the Gate Winery– Offers wine tasting and a produce store to get picnic supplies.
Jim Barry winery– Has wine tastings from $10 for a flight of 5 wines. It is located just outside of Clare.
Seven hill cellar door– There is a 3km step back in history trail. Passing the Underground Cellar, old-vine vineyards, St Ignatius of Loyola Shrine, and St Aloysius’ Church with its crypt. They also have a wine tasting room with tastings from $10 for the Inigo range for a flight of any 5 x wines.
Crabtree Winery– Wine Tasting and Restaurant just off the Riesling Trail.
Pikes winery and beer co– They offer a brewery, a wine tasting room, and a Restaurant. Book a tasting Here.
Walk up Neagles Rock Lookout
Getting to Neagles Rock Lookout is a short walk from the parking lot. It’s a simple walk up the hill on a dirt track surrounded by a dense trees and shrubbery. A 40-minute climb to Neagles Rock Lookout rewards you with stunning Clare Valley Views
Visit Inchiquin Lake
A 10-acre park with a beautiful lake and Gleeson’s wetlands. The park also has a mini 1km train track, multiple bridges, and a tunnel. The Clare Valley Model Engineers have built the track in the park. The train only runs on the second and fourth weekends of the month. In detail, the massive lake, park, BMX track, and walking trails are all part of the park’s amenities.
Visit Clare Township
There is a lot to see in Clare including the lake and Gleeson’s wetlands. You can also walk around the streets and look at all the art Murals Or head out to one of the Wineries in town.
Head out to A Lookout
Quarry Hill Lookout
A beautiful view looking out and over the Clare Valley. We stopped here on the way to Pikes Winery.
Brook’s Lookout
Just outside of Clare on the way to Lake Bumbunga is Brook’s lookout. A beautiful lookout out looking over all the farmland.
Spring Gully Conservation Park
Park at the Blue Gum Lookout picnic area. From here there are 3 trails in the park, The Whymans trail, The ridgetop trail and The Cascade trail.
The Whymans Trail- Is a moderate 3.4km track and will take about an hour to complete. Along the way you will pass the blue gum lookout and the Cascades.
The Cascade trail- Is a easy 1.4km return circuit and will take about 40 minutes to completer. Experience a short walk through Spring Gully Conservation Park on the Cascades Walk. The waterfall is seasonal.
The Ridgetop trail- is a easy/moderate 2.6 km track that will take bout an hour to complete. The trail follows a ridge giving views through the tree’s on both sides.
Lake Bumbunga
Depending on the amount of salt is in the water will depend on the lake’s color may as it may change though out the year-round between pink, white, and blue.
