Contrasts of Clare Valley

Did you know the Clare Valley extends from the Gulf & Plains of Port Wakefield to the Edge of the Outback north of Burra, passing through our famed Wine Region? Explore all the Contrasts of the Clare Valley

Day One

Head north out of Adelaide (keeping an eye for a UFO, a giant rat and an even bigger cockroach) before turning off at the Thompson Beach entrance to the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary. One of the key feeding and roosting sites for 27,000 bird species, it’s also home to pristine wetlands and a little-seen coastline. Do lunch at the family-friendly Rising Sun Hotel in Port Wakefield, and perhaps take a swim at the swimming hole in the old town. Then it’s 30 minutes to Lochiel to view Lake Bumbunga: if there’s been rain, the lake will be pink and the giant Loch-Eel is in residence... Push on to Snowtown (check out the giant wind blade) then do 40 minutes more to Bungaree Station north of Clare for a tour of the stunning 1841 property. Overnight here or in Clare, enjoying dinner at the new Seed Clare Valley with its rooftop cocktail bar.

Day Two

It wouldn’t be a visit to the Clare Valley Wine Region without stopping in at a few cellar doors. Taste from the big names like Taylors Wines in Auburn, Pikes Wines in Polish Hill or Knappstein Wines in Clare. Enjoy lunch at Paulett Wines Bush DeVine Restaurant, a modern take on bush cuisine. If you’ve got big plans for dinner then opt for a lighter, but just as delicious, wine & canape flight. Continue on to the lesser-known but just as good, wineries such as Koonowla Wines (also home to Georges Wines, two for the price of one), Mr Nobody (a range of fortified and a sparkling) or Hill River Clare Estate, taking in the views from the deck. Dinner at the UPPside Restaurant will take you around the globe with their range of European inspired dishes.

Day Three

Drive 20 minutes to Burra and do breakfast at Good Golly Miss Polly. Next it’s time to explore the heritage-listed town. Grab a Burra Heritage Passport from Burra & Goyder Visitor Information: you’ll get the keys to locked buildings and sites galore, including the mighty Monster Mine, the Dugouts of ‘Creek Street’ the Blacksmiths’ Shop and the Redruth Gaol. Round out the day with dinner at the recently refurbed Commercial Hotel. Overnight in Burra.

Day Four

Do breakfast at gorgeous St Just Café– then grab some take-out packs from the Cook O’Burra, as well as a self-drive guide to Dare’s Hill Circuit from Burra & Goyder Visitor Information Centre. Head north (admiring the ‘Midnight Oil’ cottage three kilometres out of town on the right) and join the spectacular circuit. Do as much of it as you want, but be sure to stop at explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins’ cottage, as well as Dare’s Hill Summit and the mournful ruins left by broken pastoralists