Things to do in

McLaren Vale

Join this full-day small-group tour featuring some of Adelaide's finest experiences, including a visit to the German settlement town of Hahndorf and two wine tastings. Pickup is available from selected locations around Adelaide CBD. Tour itinerary: Depending on your selected pickup point, you will be collected at around 9:00 AM. The tour starts with a city highlights tour. As you get your bearings, learn about Adelaide's history and gain some insider secrets from your tour guide, the must-dos, the places to visit, and the best restaurants at which to enjoy Adelaide's finest food. Traveling out of the city, the tour takes you to visit the iconic Adelaide Oval (events permitting). Then, head through picturesque North Adelaide, scattered with stunning Federation architecture and lavish homes. Be sure to have your camera ready because the next stop is a spectacular view of Adelaide from the summit of Mount Lofty. From Mount Lofty, it's on to Hahndorf. The German settlement of Hahndorf is an absolute delight. With its abundance of boutique shops and eateries, there's plenty to explore as you enjoy 2 hours of free time to do whatever you please. Meet the bus back at Bus Stop 54 on the main street of Hahndorf. Climb back on board, sit back, relax, and enjoy the short but scenic drive through the heart of the beautiful Adelaide Hills en route to the iconic wine tasting region of McLaren Vale. Once you arrive at McLaren Vale the first stop is the stunning Chapel Hill Winery. Have your taste buds primed and your camera poised as your host at Chapel Hill tantalizes you with a wonderful wine tasting experience at their picturesque cellar door. From Chapel Hill, you'll wind through the stunning countryside, with grapevines and sea views as you head to the next winery, the quaint Shingleback Winery. This Wine tasting is really relaxed and you'll get to enjoy a structured tasting of Shinglebacks finest wines. If you're peckish, you can purchase a cheeseboard to enjoy with your wine. Now the tour heads back towards Adelaide, but taking the scenic route. Gaze out at the Adelaide coastline as you journey towards the final destination of the day, Adelaide's beautiful seaside suburb of Glenelg. There are two options here. Either take a 20-minute stroll to check the place out and hop back on board or stay and make your own way back on the tram.

The tour departs Adelaide CBD and heads straight into the heart of the picturesque McLaren Vale. Visit the well-known Chapel Hill winery, and learn about the process of wine from grape to glass, then enjoy a selection of wines. The last wine tasting session of the day is Shingleback winery, set in the stunning rolling hills of the landscape. On the return trip to Adelaide, travel via the beautiful bay of Glenelg and stroll along the seafront to admire views across the open water. Choose to stay in Glenelg, grab dinner, watch the sunset and make your own way back to Adelaide at your leisure, or enjoy a 15 minute stroll, and hop back on the bus and head back to Adelaide.

Explore the McLaren Vale wine region in the comfort of a small-group guided tour that visits five to six wineries, cellar doors, gin rooms, and/or breweries during your day trip.  Depart on a 45-minute journey to the McLaren Vale wine region in the air-conditioned comfort of a luxury Mercedes Benz. Arrive in McLaren Vale in time for the opening of wineries and underground cellars throughout the area. Enjoy the pportunity to do tastings at iconic and boutique wineries, some of which are off the beaten track, selected especially to suit your tastes.  Learn about viticulture and how to identify your favorite wine during tasting sessions with the region’s winemakers. Savor a delicious regional lunch platter, served at a local cellar, comprising of local cheeses, meats, salads, and breads. After lunch, you will continue to visit the remaining wineries, gin rooms, and breweries on the itinerary, before departing back to your accommodation at around 4:30 PM.

Leaving Adelaide, head out through the southern suburbs and along the metropolitan coastline. Enjoy coastal views as you head to McLaren Vale Information Centre for morning tea. There is an opportunity to sample wines from some of the regions smaller wineries that do not have cellar doors at an additional cost. Then it’s on to one of the highlights of your day, the d’Arenberg Cube. Nestled amongst the vineyards, this 5 level “Rubiks cube” has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses. From the Alternate Realities Museum to the many art installations on display there is so much to see and experience whilst you are there. Enjoy a formal wine tasting on Level 4, before heading down to Polly’s Restaurant for your 2-course lunch. Next visit Beresford Wines, where you can choose from one of 3 tastings in their brand new Tasting Pavilion. The Premium Wine Tasting introduces you to a selection of their wines from the Estate and Limited Release range. The Vale Brewing Tasting offers up to five craft beers from the seasonable Vale range. And the third option is the 23rd Street Distillery tastings, where you can choose from 5 craft spirits or 3 craft gins. The final cellar door is Wirra Wirra Vineyards, located amongst the gum trees in the historic ironstone cellars. Enjoy a short tour of the cellars and a structured tasting of their range of quality wines. Look out for the ‘catapult’ and the ¾ tonne Angelus Bell in the picturesque grounds surrounding the cellar door. Finish the day with some spare time in the main street of McLaren Vale. You may like to pop into the Menz Chocolate Store for some sweet treats, wander up the road to Blessed Cheese, or explore the Fleurieu Arthouse housed on the historic Hardys Tintara site. Then settle back on the coach for your return trip to Adelaide.

Get picked up from your accommodation in Glenelg at 9 AM or Adelaide at 9:20 – 9:30 AM for a full day of sightseeing around the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula.  Enjoy the scenic drive from Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills before arriving in the historic German village of Hanhdorf. Treat yourself to morning tea at The Haus, visit the Antique Clock Museum, or shop around in the village's boutique stores. Travel on to the old paddle steamer port of Goolwa for a stroll along the beach where the Murray River meets the sea. Make a short stopover at South Australia's greatest surfing beach before continuing on to Victor Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for whales as you pass Basham Beach during whale season.  Next, explore the seaside town of Victor Harbor where you can visit the Whale Center and Museum. Take advantage of the chance to visit Granite Island and check out the fairy penguins or ride the famous horse-drawn tram. Purchase lunch from one of the many quaint restaurants and pubs. Your last stop of the day will be McLaren Vale, one of Australia's oldest and finest olive, wine, and almond-growing regions. Taste some of the area's best wines, purchase some locally-grown, homemade delicacies before returning back to your accommodation at around 5:30 PM.

Create your dream tour of the Adelaide Hills and surrounding areas and visit only the sights that interest you the most. Together with up to 3 other guests, travel through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Mclaren Vale, and Clare Valley wine regions. Discover the best South Australia has to offer from your expert guide/driver. Visit both iconic and boutique wineries as well as local attractions including Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving settlement. Choose which wineries to visit based on your individual tastes, or alternatively opt out of visiting wineries and simply admire the best sights and attractions in the area.

The Blending Bench is a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker. A palette of wine parcels, each with distinctive flavors and textures, are melded in search of balance, fullness and finesse. The tour operators have done the physical work – picking, crushing, fermenting, foot treading, basket pressing and barrel ageing, so that you get to create a wine that is truly unique. You then bottle, name and label a 750ml sample to take home and show off to your friends! Afterwards explore the grounds of the renowned D'Arenberg Winery, taking in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.

Create your dream tour of McLaren Vale with this customizable tour of the region's best wineries. Choose from a variety of different wineries, such as Chapel Hill, Cradle of Hills, Doc Adams, Hardys Tintara, Lazy Ballerina, Wirra Wirra or Yangarra. There is also a chance to meet the winemaker (via prior appointment). After getting picked up from your hotel in Adelaide or Glenelg, set out on your journey towards McLaren Vale, with an option to take the scenic route through the Adelaide Hills along the way. During your tour, visit 4 wineries where you will get a talk on how the wine is made, taste the wines and then get a chance to purchase your favorites. Later, explore the galleries, studios, shops and food producers on the McLaren Vale main street including Medlow Confectionery, home to the famous FruChocs. Finish your tour with lunch at a location of your choice before getting dropped off back at your hotel.

You will be picked up in central Adelaide and transported to Kuitpo Forest, a beautiful spot above the McLaren Vale wine region. You will be provided with a good quality mountain bike with front suspension & disc brakes, and a helmet if you do not have your own. Set off to explore the forest. Kangaroos and koalas can regularly be seen on the ride. Next is a lovely descent down Willunga Hill towards McLaren Vale, and then it’s time for wine tasting. Then ride through the vineyards and stop at a number of local wineries to sample their fare and perhaps purchase some wine to take home with you. Stop for a lunch comprising of a local produce platter along the way.  In the afternoon leave it to the group to decide your final visits- maybe a micro-brewery, another winery, a cafe/chocolate stop for a little desert, or if it’s really warm maybe a swim stop at one of the beautiful beaches that fringe the Vale. Finally, you will be picked up and transported back to Adelaide.  The ride is fairly leisurely and is suitable for anyone who is happy riding a bike on firetracks and country roads. The van can also pick up your wine purchases along the way so you don't have to carry them.

A local 4WD tour company and an award-winning McLaren Vale based food caterer have joined forces to offer an exclusive 4WD food safari under 1 hour south of Adelaide. This tour takes you on an exciting day’s exploration of new food and wine experiences, combined with an exhilarating journey through the pristine natural beauty of the Fleurieu Peninsula. You’ll travel off the tourist track into wooded valleys, rolling hills, and magnificent coastal landscapes. You will also meet local wildlife while caressing your taste buds with a visit to the world-acclaimed McLaren Vale wine region and a "surprise" private lunch experience. Following a drive along the magnificent length of Silversands Beach, you’ll savour hand-made cheese and other local produce, and taste premium local wine and craft beer. This tour is an exceptional opportunity to discover the world-acclaimed McLaren Vale wine region in company with the people who help make it a visitor’s delight.