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Things to do in McLaren Vale

Our most recommended things to do in McLaren Vale

Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

1. Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

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. Your 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 along 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.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

2. Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

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.

From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

3. From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

Enjoy a delightful tour of South Australia’s premier tourist region, the Fleurieu Peninsula. This tour begins with a picturesque journey through the Adelaide Hills to the historical Scottish settlement of Strathalbyn. Here you will stop for some free time and morning tea in High Street (own expense). Continue on to the paddle steamer town of Goolwa where you'll have a brief tour of the town including the wharf, barrage and beach. On your way to Victor Harbor, cruise past the charming coastal town of Port Elliot including Horseshoe Bay, and stop at Whale Lookout for a photo opportunity. Upon arrival at Victor Harbor, South Australia’s most popular seaside village, wander through the main street, sampling the fresh local product. Enjoy free time to explore Victor Harbor. Visit one of the many pubs or cafes for lunch, and following that, you may choose to explore Granite Island, where you’ll find the Little Penguins and might even catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale during the winter months. Your tour then continues to the wine-making region of McLaren Vale, best known for producing outstanding Shiraz. Wander the main street, sample the fresh local produce including the delicious cheeses at Blessed Cheese, taste some of the fine wines or grab a coffee at one of the many cafés. From here, enjoy a scenic drive through South Australia’s southern metropolitan beaches of Port Noarlunga and Moana before returning to Adelaide.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

4. Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

Leave Adelaide and head out along the metropolitan coastline on a fascinating wine-themed day trip. Enjoy coastal views as you head to McLaren Vale, then visit a variety of wineries for guided tours and delicious tastings. Enjoy an Italian lunch with a wine-pairing experience. Then, head to d’Arenberg Cube. Nestled amongst vineyards, this 5-level “Rubiks cube” has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses. See the Alternate Realities Museum and art installations and enjoy a formal wine tasting on Level 4, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards. Next head to Chalk Hill Wines, a family-owned winery, dedicated to making small batch, hand crafted wines of distinction. Indulge in a traditional Italian style shared lunch prepared by Cucina Di Strada, paired with four of Chalk Hill's most popular wines. Continue to Beresford Wines and choose from one of 3 tastings in their new Tasting Pavilion. Select from wine, craft beer, or spirit and gin tastings dependent on your mood. Finally, head for Wirra Wirra Vineyards, located amongst the gum trees in the historic ironstone cellars. Enjoy a tour of the cellars and a structured tasting of their range of quality wines.

Adelaide: Full-Day Vines and Victor Harbor Eco Adventure

5. Adelaide: Full-Day Vines and Victor Harbor Eco Adventure

Take a scenic drive to Victor Harbor through the stunning Mclaren Vale region. Get a glimpse of the vineyards and rolling hills in the distance that you will be back to explore later. Arrive in Victor Harbor and be greeted with ocean views, discover the history, geology, and nature of the local area. Next, enjoy a 90-minute open ocean boat cruise through the Southern Ocean passing by Seal Rock, The Bluff and West Island. Witness the spectacular Waitpinga Cliffs and look out for seabirds such as petrels, shearwaters, and cormorants. Looping around Seal Island, see Australian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals basking in the sun or frolicking in the water. Following your Southern Ocean Adventure boat cruise sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the many reserves along Victor Harbor's foreshore. Soak up the atmosphere of this popular tourist town, with Granite Island in the distance you may even see one of the local horse-drawn trams crossing over the Causeway. After a short drive to the McLaren Vale wine region arrive at d'Arenberg Winery with time to explore the famous cube before enjoying a tasting session of their delicious biodynamic wines. Then heading onto Gemtree Winery, begin your progressive wine tasting and learn about the biodynamic practices and philosophy behind this family-owned property. Finish off the afternoon with a Vintner’s platter and a glass of Gemtree regional wine, before your afternoon drive back to Adelaide city.

From Adelaide: Private Day Trip to Hahndorf and McLaren Vale

6. From Adelaide: Private Day Trip to Hahndorf and McLaren Vale

With over 25 years in the tourism industry there is not a lot we don't know and we are happy to share everything with you :) This Tour is a great introduction to SA and the southern part of South Australia, visit Hahndorf (Historical German Village) nestled in the beautiful Adelaide Only 35 mins from the Adelaide CBD, This stop can include morning tea & Or Breakfast In our recommended Modern German Restaurant ? plenty of time for a walk or shopping to walk off the cake ha ha And now we take a 50 min drive to McLaren Vale for an afternoon of wine tasting This VIP tour can be customised to Go See & do what you want to do? after booking we will make contact with you to discuss your wants and requests

Wirra Wirra Vineyard: Shiraz Revolution Tour

7. Wirra Wirra Vineyard: Shiraz Revolution Tour

Choose the  ultimate shiraz and museum wines experience, with decadent chocolates to indulge in also. This is an intimate winery tour, where you will learn about barrel aging in Wirra Wirra's historic ironstone cellars, and taste five of Wirra Wirra's best shiraz wines, including a rare museum wine in Trott’s Original Cellar Door. This is your chance to share in the illustrious history of Wirra Wirra and ,taste the very best of McLaren Vale's most famous varietal. The more adventurous guests will also have the opportunity to ring Wirra Wirra's iconic ¾ tonne Angelus Bell and hear their efforts peal out across McLaren Vale. 

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What people are saying about McLaren Vale

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 314 reviews

We had the luxury of a limousine and our own driver, which meant we could tailor the excursion to our interests. The driver was most accomodating and we saw some of the coast that wasn't included in the itinerary. We weren't really interested in going to a wine museum or a chocolate factory. We had booked the tour because it also went to Hahndorf and Victor Harbour. We did feel that the driver lacked some local information about the places we saw but that didn't detract from the overall experience.

Tour guide was really informative and very passionate about Adelaide so it was great to listen to his enthusiasm! Hahndorf was a lovely town to visit and the wine tastings were amazing. A lot was packed into one day, but I feel we still had a good amount of time in each place

Pooja was very friendly and informative. She was prompt with pick up. The tour consisted of a small group which we enjoyed. We visited a number of different places throughout the day. Definitely value for money.

Fantastic day out! Craig was so knowledgeable and personable. We got so much in for one day, all around the city, Hahndorf, 2 wineries, and the beaches. Definitely recommend this tour.

Great guide. Tasted some incredible wines. Beautiful scenery in the valley and along the coast.