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Clare Valley

The Clare Valley is just an hour and a half north of Adelaide, but you might as well be a world away. With a rich cultural tapestry dating back 160 years and more than 35 cellar doors, the region is perfect for immersing yourself in the finer things in life. It's famed for its wineries, restaurants and country pubs. Settle into a bed and breakfast within one of the valley's historic villages, where you'll relish the bucolic vistas and the charm of this engaging region.

Many visitors to Clare Valley enjoy a chance to sample some of the local wine at some of the many cellar door outlets in the region. Often you will be served by the winemaker and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the wines you are tasting.

As you turn off the Barrier Highway and approach Clare Valley from the south, you will first come to Auburn. The town is the birthplace of C.J. Dennis, who penned The Sentimental Bloke, and the C.J. Dennis Festival is held in the town each year. There are many historic bluestone buildings including the old railway station, now a cellar door outlet where you can have lunch at the weekend.

Next, take the side road to Mintaro. Famous for its slate, the town once provided slate for many of the world's billiards tables and many of the town's buildings are made from the same stone. The historic buildings are very well-preserved and there is a heritage walk around the town. Just outside Mintaro is Martindale Hall, a magnificent Georgian-style mansion built by a local pastoralist for his bride who jilted him. You might recognise it from the film "Picnic at Hanging Rock".

Watervale also has some historic buildings and you should be sure to see the Wine Museum at Quelltaler Estate. At Sevenhill is the district's oldest winery, Sevenhill Cellars, established in 1851 by the Jesuits anxious to maintain a supply of sacramental wine. Visitors may wander through the monastery buildings including the crypt.

The town of Clare is the administrative centre for the region. The Old Clareville Museum pays tribute to the area's agricultural and viticultural heritage, while the Old Police Station Museum reflects the human aspect through a collection of furniture, clothing and other personal items.

The Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend in May is worth going to, but there are fine dining experiences in the region throughout the year, including those at the wineries themselves. The sumptuous wining and dining available can be one of the best gourmet experiences one can have in Australia.

As you spend time in this lovely area, don't forget to sample the local gourmet products, including olive oil and handmade pickles and preserves, made from locally grown produce. There are many fine cafes and restaurants in the area, some at cellar door locations, which highlight fresh, locally grown produce on their menus.

A great way to see the Clare Valley is to walk or cycle along the Riesling Trail, which hugs the route of the former railway line between Auburn and Clare. It passes close to many of the area's cellar doors and through vineyards and agricultural land.

Up in South Australia's Clare Valley, less than two hours north of Adelaide, they're proud to tell you they have one of the longest continuous histories of making wine in Australia. In 1893, Alfred Percy Birks planted the first vines at what would become known as Wendouree, while Sevenhill Cellars boasts a parcel of shiraz vines that is more than 148 years old.

With its grand vistas, pretty vales and ancient buildings in golden stone, the Clare Valley is a contender for Australia's most picturesque wine region. The town of Clare's charm may have been submerged by the creep of industrialisation, high-street shopfronts and its role as a regional centre for the local farming industry, but the surrounding villages such as Auburn and Mintaro still rate among some of the state's prettiest, and make perfect bases for touring the area.

While the Clare Valley might lag behind other rivals when it comes to great restaurants and fine-diners, the region does have some fantastic self-contained accommodation options, and you'll find that the local cafes and classic pub counter meals are actually just the thing after a hard day's tasting at the Valley's famous wineries.