Things to do around Clare
The Riesling Trail
The
Riesling Trail is a multi-use walking/biking trail. It is one of South Australia's first rail-trails and for 34kms follows the old steam train line from Riverton to Spalding. You can walk or ride the length of the trail, stopping into many of the wineries in the region along the way.
SA Postcards
Bike hire is available through,
Riesling Trail Bike Hire
Cogwebs
The Region
Mintaro A state heritage listed town, founded in the 1850s to service the bullock teams working the Burra to Port Wakefield copper transportation route. The town has many old cottages, bed and breakfasts and is home to
Martindale Hall, a 19th Century Georgian Manor featured in the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Auburn A small town just south of Clare know as the gateway to the Clare Valley. Many of it's buildings are on the State Heritage Register or listed on the National Trust.
Clare Valley Visitors site
Wineries
The
Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. It is located close to 500m above sea level which ensures cool nights even in the heat of the South Australian summer. This allows fruit to ripen more evenly and slowly which is a big factor in the valley's ability to produce high quality Riesling. Very good Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines are also produced in the variable soil types found throughout the valley.
There are over 40 wineries in the region, most of which are small and produce only bottled wine. Many of their operations are within buildings dating back to the 1840s, the time Clare was established.
Knappstein Wines A beautiful cellar door and their Knappstein Reserve Lager is worth the trip alone. The website has a good panoramic view section.
Pikes Wines Some great wines, a beautiful old cellar door and their 'Oakbank' beer is great.
Sevenhill Wines The oldest winery in the valley, arrive before the wedding and do some tasting if you like.
Restaurants
Skillogalee A Clare Valley institution since 1990. A small, intimate restaurant, Skillogalee is one of the nicest in the valley. Their menu reflects those foods and vegetables in season. The restaurant is within an 1874 Cornish miners cottage and is a beautiful spot with an interesting
history. Have lunch under the old olive tree outside. They also do gourmet picnic baskets.
Reillys Wines Located in Mintaro and run by distant relatives of a shoemaker who emigrated from Ireland in the 1850s. Reillys is a nice spot to enjoy their wine, restaurant or stay in their heritage listed
cottages.
Winediva
Pubs
Magpie and Stump Burra Street, Mintaro 08 8843 9014
Clare Hotel Main Street, Clare 08 8842 2816
Sevenhill Hotel Main Rd, Sevenhill 08 8843 4217
Rising Sun Hotel Main Rd, Auburn 08 8849 2015
Art
Robert Hannaford For those who are artistically inclined, Robert Hannaford's home and gallery is located in Riverton, a short drive south of Clare. Hannaford is known for his terrific still life oil paintings and portraits, many of which have featured in the Archibald Prize. He recently painted a
portrait of Kate Middleton (the Duchess of Cambridge now) to
raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the charity of choice for Kate and William's royal wedding.
