Three Days in the Clare Valley

To Market…

On the second Saturday of the month, the hamlet of Clare comes alive with stallholders and patrons for the Clare Market. Sevenhill Cellars for a tour of the stately St Aloysius’ Church and college buildings - home of the first winery in the Clare Valley.

Lazy lunch:

Nothing beats a lazy lunch under the olive tree on the veranda at Skillogalee Winery & Restaurant or out on the deck at Paulett Wines & Bush DeVine Cafe. Indulge in regional produce and award-winning wines, while soaking in the spectacular views. Eldredge Vineyards and the Sevenhill Hotel also cater for lunch in this area (see specific listings for days and times at selected venues).

After lunch, explore neighbouring cellar doors, including Sussex Squire Wines, Mitchells Wines, Kilikanoon Wines and Penna Lane Wines, to name a few.

Sugar fix?

If your sweet tooth is calling, head to Pancho’s Pizza & Pasta Bar in Clare to sample your way through the selection of gelati and milkshakes on hand.

Create your own supper:

After a day of consuming, you might like a light dinner in your own style. Shut the Gate Wines & Cellar Door is home to a beautiful wine bar and provedore. Fill your basket with cheese, pasta, meats or olives and create your own supper to take back to your accommodation or housing. The Visitor Information Centre also stocks a wide range of local produce for your enjoyment.

Shake it off:

If you need your morning exercise, the Clare Valley is the perfect place to stretch
the legs. The popular Riesling Trail is a great start - it’s a 35km bike/walking trail, suitable for beginners to medium level fitness fanatics, which offers shade, views and country scenery along the way. Continue on with Rattler Trail from Auburn to Riverton to explore these towns.

Mintaro- an English village:

Jump in the car and take the scenic road from Sevenhill to Mintaro. Established in 1849, Mintaro is steeped in history, made famous for its slate from the local quarry. It is also home to the grand Martindale Hall. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll the gardens and surrounds of Martindale Hall, taking in its Georgian exterior and extraordinary Italianate interiors. You might recognise the building from the 1975 film Picnic from Hanging Rock!

Rest:

For a bite to eat try the Magpie & Stump Hotel or Reillys Cellar Door & Restaurant in the heart of Mintaro. Featuring fresh local produce from the nearby vegie patch, sit back and enjoy the country atmosphere.

Lose yourself:

Just around the corner is Mintaro Maze - a living hedge maze consisting of over 800 conifers, fountains, twists and turns. Suitable for children, groups and couples, the maze is a unique experience you won’t forget.

Dine in style:

After a full day of exploring the hamlet of Mintaro, dine in at one of Clare Valley’s leading restaurants to experience country hospitality at its best. There’s Terroir at Auburn, Ragu Rustic Italian (the Clare Valley’s authentic Italian) and Indii of Clare.

Don’t forget the beautiful food options at Conners Restaurant at Clare Country Club and UPPside in Penwortham.

Behold Burra:

No trip to the Clare Valley is complete without a visit to the historical town of Burra. Famed for its mining heritage, the township is an echo of the yesteryear. Stroll the antique shops and heritage buildings, or grab a Burra Heritage Passport and accompany key from the Burra and Goyder Visitor Information Centre and make your way around the 11km self-guided tour of the town, exploring eight locked buildings and 50 other sites of interest.

Monster Mine:

In 1845, migrants flocked to the bustling town of Burra during the mining boom, to try their luck for copper ore. This gave rise to the world’s largest mine- the Burra Monster Mine. Visitors can explore the remnants of this mining community and learn firsthand what it would have been like to live in a thriving mining town in the golden days.

A taste of Italy:

After a morning of mining exploration, take leave at the popular restaurant La Pecora Nera (The Black Sheep) for some authentic Italian pizza and pasta. This laid-back friendly eatery is located in the heart of Burra, and offers wood oven pizza and mouth-watering homemade pasta.

More to explore…

There’s also the Burra Regional Art Gallery, Historical Photographic Exhibition at the Town Hall, the Blacksmiths Shop, Burra Dugouts, and the General Store to add to the list of places to see before you head home.