McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is in South Australia. It is located south of the Adelaide CBD, and is a short drive from Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Goolwa. McLaren Vale is one of South Australia's world renowned wine regions, and boasts excellent wineries, gourmet restaurants and many boutique stores.
Get in
Mclaren Vale is an easy 45 minute drive by car from the centre of Adelaide. From the Adelaide CBD, take Goodwood Road south to South road, then head west. If open, use the Southern Expressway (Otherwise take Main South Road), and follow the signs first towards Victor Harbor and then to McLaren Vale. Car hires are available in Adelaide for all budgets ranging from the world wide brands, down to rent-a wreck cheapies. Renting and returning a hire car is a no-brainer.
A far more scenic route, avoiding miles of car yards, traffic lights and suburban build up is to take the Mt Barker Highway (the main road out of Adelaide to Melbourne) and leave the highway to enter Hahndorf. From there drive to Meadows and then follow the sign posts to McLaren Vale. On arriving in McLaren Vale, initially turn right, back toward Adelaide, and drive about 300 metres down the main street to the outskirts of the town as the tourist centre with winery location maps is on the Adelaide side of the town.
There are various tour companies in Adelaide which will offer bus tours of McLaren Vale. Almost all wineries offer tastings at no charge in the expectation of a sale.
Get around
Whilst it is possible to take a bus or use a bicycle around McLaren Vale, the many interesting and unique areas are spread far apart. Therefore, it may be an idea to consider hiring a car for the time you are going to spend there.
See
Pick up a brochure at any of the many art galleries in the region for the "Art Trail" which will take you through the region.
Do
- Blessed Cheese , 150 Main Rd, ☎ +6 8 8323 7958. Go on one of their Cheese and Wine trails. The Cheese and Wine trail provides you with a cooler-bag of cheeses and instructions on which wines to taste whilst trying the cheese. A wonderful experience for those who are wanting to become more familiar with the wineries in the region.
Buy
Fresh food at the Willunga Farmer's Markets just outside of McLaren Vale. Stop in at the near by clothing boutiques and antique stores.
Drink
Sleep
- Amaroo Health Retreat, 9-15 Bevan Road, Hope Forest (Take the Victor Harbor road and continue past the McLaren Vale turn off. Turn left at the Meadows sign and continue onto the Meadows Road and then left onto Bevan Road.), ☎ +61 8 8556-7497, e-mail: info@amaroohealth.org. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Luxurious Bed and Breakfast with well appointed kitchen, expansive bathroom and comfortable bedroom. Bedrooms look over a large water-garden, and walks are possible through the vegetation. Breakfast provisions supplied are generous, and the location is excellent for access to McLaren Vale, Willunga, Aldinga and the Victor Harbor area. rooms from $180 per room per night. One room sleeps 2, the other 6. Discounts apply for stays longer than 2 nights.