Things to do around Clare Valley, SA

Things to Do around Clare Valley, SA.

The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions.

The Clare Valley, located in South Australia, is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions known for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. The valley is famous for its lush vineyards, rolling hills, and charming country towns, offering visitors a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply seeking a tranquil getaway, Clare Valleys’ scenic beauty and relaxed atmosphere make it a must-visit destination.

Getting there:

It’s only a 90 minute drive from Adelaide and is home to over 50 cellar doors and wineries.

A Wine Lover’s Paradise

Clare Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wine regions, home to over 40 wineries. The region is particularly known for its exceptional Riesling, but also offers a range of reds and other varietals. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings at boutique wineries, tour the vineyards, or explore the charming cellar doors. The surrounding countryside adds to the experience, with vineyards set against the backdrop of stunning hills and valleys.

Heritage, Art, and Local Flavours

Beyond its wines, Clare Valley is rich in history and local culture. The charming towns of Clare, Auburn, and Sevenhill are full of heritage buildings, galleries, and artisan shops. The region also offers excellent local produce, with farmers’ markets and eateries serving up fresh, seasonal fare. Whether you’re touring historic sites, enjoying local art, or sampling regional delicacies, Clare Valley offers a well-rounded experience for all tastes.

Wellness & Pampering

• Tranquillity Massage located at Lots, 93-99 Main N Rd, Sevenhill S.A.
• The Beauty Barn – 10/372 Main N Rd, Clare SA
• Maria Cristobal Makeup Artistry – 242a Main N Rd, Clare SA
• Unique Remedial Massage and Beauty Therapy – 242A Main North Road, Clare SA
• Hair Envy – 42 Old N Rd, Clare SA
• Beautique Beauty & Massage Therapy
• Valley Lifestyle Gym

Explore & Discover Things to Do around Clare Valley, SA

• The Clare and Gilbert Valley enviously shows a strong community with a series of annual events that you MUST diarise. Here’s some links:
  • South Australian Autumn Garden Festival SA Autumn Garden Festival
  • Annual Clare Valley Running Festival
  • Gourmet Weekend music, food and wine festival Clare Valley Gourmet
  • The Clare Agricultural & Horticultural Society Show The Clare Show
  • Revive the Regions with Music Festivals
  • Nearby Mintaro holds the Festival of the Lamb a multi day event supported by the Mintaro Progress Association
  • Annual Car and Bike Show in Mintaro usually held in the first part of the year.

• Historical Watervale Tour and be amazed at the century old buildings
• Walk or cycle on the adjacent Riesling Trail or Scenic Drive, or…hand over the car keys and take a wine tour with Clare Valley Wine Tours
• Gleeson Wetlands, Clare – enter the bird hide and see how many species you can spot, there may even be a turtle or two splashing around. Access is either from: Christison Avenue where it’s a 5 minute walk to the southern pond; or park at the end of Phoenix Avenue.
• Coffee and cake at the Watervale General Store and sample a range of local produce or pick up some vintage kitchenware
• Support local businesses in cafes, galleries, restaurants and shops
• Picnic spots at Riverton Duckpond with its native trees and wonderful birdlife – a little further east you can find yourself on the banks of the Burra Creek, or Eudunda Gardens. For more info, look up Eudunda Gardens, multi award winning gardens.
• Visit local wineries – Crabtree, O’Leary Walker, Taylors, Clos Clare, Shut the Gate, Sevenhill Cellars, Jeanneret Wines and Clare Valley Brewing Company, Pikes Wines and Brewery

• Bird Watching – rosellas, kookaburras, parrots, galahs and identified rare native birds visit
• Join the locals with a game of bowls at the Watervale Bowling Club
• Catford Gardens or Walter Duncan’s Rose Garden
• Support local businesses in cafes, galleries, farm gates and shops
• Visit Martindale Hall, a historical mansion in Mintaro
• Visit the Sevenhill Church and crypt
• Join in the fun at The Clare Valley Events Co
• Get lost in the Mintaro Maze
• Visit the mines of the historic town of Burra
• Attend the Blyth cinema and Medika Gallery
• Ride the Rattler Trail
• Visit historic town of Kapunda
• Walk the Mawson Trail
• Trek the Heyson Trail
• Visit the Barossa Wineries, just over an hours’ drive away.
• Clare Valley Model Engineers miniature trains
• Burra Regional Art Gallery and the Arts Collective Clare Valley
• Discover pools in Hamley Bridge and Owen, Burra and Eudunda, Clare and Riverton
• A self-guided way to enjoy cycling the off road, safe and relatively flat Riesling Rail Trail with Tour de Vines. Have all the logistics done for you, whilst you visit some of the best cellar doors and food outlets in Australia.  This  3 day/2 night tour gives you the flexibility of choosing your own dates and cycling the Riesling Rail Trail at your own pace.

Good Eats around Clare Valley, S.A.

• Try lunch or dinner and discover awesome local fare and sustainable food practices by owners Christian and Caity at The UPPside, multi award winning restaurant, wine bar and farm shop. Dine in, take-away or take local produce home to cook or put in your pantry and savour the taste of Clare & Gilbert Valleys. Featuring all local epicurean farm to plate European food within the picturesque Clare Valley, in the town of Penwortham (don’t worry everything’s close here). The UPPside only stocks Clare Valley Wines Beers Gin and Vodka, and the Clare Valley’s very first vodka and Limoncello. Home grown fresh produce is available on-site, supporting local growers. A wonderfully eclectic European awaits diners. Groups catered for as well! Hospitality of the Valley & Europe in one fabulous location.
• Skillogalee Winery Restaurant
• Watervale Hotel and its Six Senses Penobscot Farm Tour & Six Course Degustation Menu
• Pike’s Brewery Company (and winery) at Polish Hill
• Spend a lazy afternoon, no regrets at Paulett Wines award winning Bush DeVine Winery Restaurant
• Clare Hotel
• Sevenhill Hotel
• Bentley’s
• Taminga Hotel, 302 Main N Rd, Clare SA
• Magpie and Stump Hotel
• Reillys
• Rising Sun Hotel at Auburn
• Mr Nobody’s  (fortified wine-bar specialist)
• Watervale General Store: sample local produce or pick up some vintage kitchenware
• Velvet and Willow Cellar Door + Pantry in Auburn
• Indulge in award winning dining located at Polish River Pauletts Wines in the Bush Devine Restaurant, Mintaro
• Conners Bar is the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink before dining at Conner’s Restaurant & Bar
• Discover authentic Italian fare at Ragu and co

Foodies

• The UPPside, multi award winning restaurant, wine bar and farm shop is like Aladdin’s Cave for gourmet goodies – the array is stunningly good, locally produced with a lot of love from its passionate owners. Worth a stop even if you’re not hungry (you soon will be) to stock your pantry.
• Cheese and Wine Trail
• Visit local wineries – Crabtrees, O’Leary Walker, Clos Clare, Shut the Gate, Pike’s, Killakanoon, Taylors
• The Corner Patch – 290 Horrocks Hwy, Clare
• Pick up your country meat to and from  Clare at Mathies Meat Shoppe located 275 Main N Rd, Clare SA
• Seed Clare Valley (huge selection of deli items)

• 

Retail Escapes

• Visit historic towns of Kapunda and Burra
• Grace and Maple, 245B Main North Road, Clare
• Little Lalt Co
•  Anneva
• Clare Valley Wines

If you think the Clare Valley sounds like an amazing holiday destination, check out our Stays with a WOW accommodation.