Browse Regions

• Adelaide
• Adelaide Hills
• Murray River
• Kangaroo Island
• Flinders Ranges & Outback
• Barossa
• Clare Valley
• Eyre Peninsula
• Fleurieu Peninsula
• McLaren Vale
• Limestone Coast
• Yorke Peninsula

Types

• All
• Accommodation
• Arts & Culture
• Attractions & Activities
• Shopping
• Touring
• Transport
• Wine & Food

• Getting Here & Around
• By Road
• Self Drive
• Touring

Self Drive

Discover the Clare Valley


1- 2 day Self Drive Itinerary

Day 1

Leave Adelaide via Main North Road.

From Gawler follow the signs to Kapunda, Australia’s first mining town. Copper was discovered here in 1842 and it’s said the mine saved the colony of South Australia from bankruptcy in its early days.

Next stop is Auburn, the unofficial gateway to the Clare Valley wine region. The birthplace of Australian poet C J Dennis, Auburn features beautiful historic bluestone buildings. Take a stroll around the town followed by a glass of local wine at the Rising Sun Hotel.

Auburn is also an ideal place to pick up the Riesling Trail, a walking and cycling route linking the villages of the valley. Running between Clare and Auburn, the trail passes several cellar doors and other attractions, making it a unique way to explore the region.

Grab a copy of the Clare Valley Food and Wine Trail map and decide which wineries to visit. A must for first time visitor is Sevenhill Cellars, owned and managed by the Jesuit order since 1851.

From Sevenhill, take the scenic Polish Hill Valley Road (stopping in at Pauletts Wines for a tasting and a fabulous view) to Mintaro, a heritage-listed village. Admire the quaint buildings featuring slate from the local quarry and enjoy a beer at the Magpie and Stump or a coffee at a cafe.

Nearby Martindale Hall, built in 1879, is also worth a visit.

Further north, Clare is the major town in the region. There are several cafés and pubs in the town, plus accommodation, bakeries, shopping and all services.

Return to Adelaide via Gawler or alternatively, stay overnight in one of the many gorgeous bed and breakfasts or self-contained cottages in the region.

Day 2
The following day, continue exploring the many wineries of the region, before driving out to Burra, approximately 30 kilometres from Clare. Discover the historic copper mining area by purchasing a Self Drive Heritage Passport from the Burra Visitor Centre. It provides entry to eight National Trust properties, plus other sites including the Monster Mine.

Return to Adelaide via Saddleworth and Riverton, stopping for afternoon tea at the restored Riverton Railway Station.

Sydney-Adelaide

6 Day - Self Drive Itinerary

Day 1 Sydney - Albury
Travel from Sydney along the Hume Highway through Goulburn and Gundagai, ending the day’s journey in the Murray River town of Albury.

On arrival in Albury, choose from one of the many accommodation options
Sydney - Albury: 575 km/ 6 hours

Day 2 Albury - Mildura
Today you’ll cross over the border into Victoria and travel through a number of picturesque Murray River towns.

From Albury travel to the historic town of Echuca. One of Victoria’s oldest river towns, Echuca has fine examples of ornate architecture and you’ll be able to see the paddle steamers crawling their way along the river.

Continue on to Swan Hill and take a look at the Pioneer Settlement for a glimpse of life on the river during the paddle steamer era.

From Swan Hill, follow the signs to Mildura. Set on the banks of the Murray River, Mildura is a rich agricultural area with plenty to offer the visitor.
Albury - Mildura: 597km/ 6 hours 30 minutes

Day 3 Mildura - Riverland
Today you’ll cross the border into South Australia and the northern Murray River region.

There are many towns to explore, such as Waikerie, Barmera, Renmark and Berri, where the region’s fruit industry is evident in roadside stalls - there’s even a ‘Big Orange’ in Berri.

Houseboating and water sports are favourite activities along the Murray River. One attraction not to be missed is Banrock Station near Kingston-on-Murray, where the Banrock Station Wetlands can be explored by signposted walking trail, and Banrock Station wines tasted, purchased and enjoyed with a light meal.

There is a range of accommodation available along the Murray River - one option is to drive to Blanchetown along the Sturt Highway for a farmstay experience on the River.
Mildura - Renmark: 144km/ 1 hour 30 minutes
Renmark - Blanchetown: 93 km/ 1 hour

Day 4 Riverland - Clare Valley
This morning, continue on to the Clare Valley via the historic copper mining town of Burra.

The Clare Valley is one of Australia’s premium wine growing regions, as well an important pastoral area. Visit the heritage town of Mintaro, where all of the heritage buildings are within walking distance.

Martindale Hall is approximately 10 minutes drive from Mintaro, and is a magnificent Georgian mansion open to the public.

There are over 30 cellar doors in the Clare Valley. The oldest vineyard of the Valley is Sevenhill Cellars, established by the Jesuits in 1848.

While Clare is the major town of this small picturesque region, there are many smaller towns with their own charm to explore. For example, Auburn is recommended for its many buildings of architectural and historical merit. A self-guided walking map is readily available.

There are many choices of accommodation in the Clare Valley, ranging from motel and apartments, to self contained bed and breakfast cottages and beautiful country estates.
Blanchetown - Clare via Burra: 167km/ 2 hours

Day 5 Clare Valley - Barossa
This morning drive to the Barossa, one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, an easy 1 hour drive away.

There are over 50 wineries in the region, and you can start exploring them in the town of Nuriootpa, at places like Elderton Wines and Penfold Wines.

The town of Tanunda is a delight, and a walk around is highly recommended to see some of the unique historical attractions. Visit the Barossa Wine and Visitor Centre to obtain a ‘Heritage Town Walk’ brochure. The main street features country cafes, and is good for antique and craft shopping. Recommended wineries on the outskirts of Tanunda include Peter Lehmann Wines, Richmond Grove and Langmeil Winery.

This afternoon, drive to the town of Angaston via Mengler’s Hill Lookout for one of the best views over the Barossa Valley. In Angaston visit the Angas Park Fruit Company and the South Australian Company Store to purchase gourmet South Australian treats. Saltram Winery and Yalumba are located near Angaston, and a short drive away is Henske, also well worth a visit.

There are numerous dining options throughout the Barossa. For a light lunch or just to taste and purchase her delicious regional produce, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop is well worth a visit.

The Barossa also has a number of excellent accommodation options. Quaint and historic self-contained cottages, hosted bed and breakfast, heritage or resort style accommodation, hotels and motels are all available.
Clare - Tanunda: 100 km/ 1 hour

Day 6 Barossa - Adelaide
Continue exploring the many wineries and attractions of the Barossa. From Tanunda, stop in at the Jacobs Creek Visitor Centre for a tasting or refreshments in their cafe. Other wineries along the road include St Hallett’s Wines, Grant Burge Wines and Rockford Wines, a boutique winery producing high quality traditional wines.

Continue on to Lyndoch, perhaps stopping in at the Lyndoch Bakery for a tasty treat.

From Lyndoch, travel to Williamstown. Just outside town is the Barossa Reservoir with its engineering feat, the Whispering Wall. An acoustic phenomenon, the Whispering Wall allows messages whispered at one end to carry audibly to the other end, 140 metres away.

Continue finally on to Adelaide, taking the picturesque route through Kersbrook and Chain of Ponds.
Tanunda - Adelaide via the Adelaide Hills: 70km/ 1 hour