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McLaren ValeOutdoor activities

Our most recommended McLaren Vale Outdoor activities

South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

1. South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

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.

From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

2. From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

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.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

3. 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.

Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

4. 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.

McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

5. McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

The tour departs the city and heads towards Glenelg taking the coastal route to the Fleurieu Peninsular. You will head down the beautiful mid south coast, with its glistening visas of the Gulf St Vincent, and pristine award winning beaches before your arrival at the first legendary cellar door. McLaren Vale's beautiful wineries are steeped in history with friendly knowledgeable staff, happy to guide you through each wine tasting experience.   A sumptuous lunch awaits you at the Winery Restaurant, with vegetarian options available.    Drive though the ‘Vale’ to visit two more cellar doors, passing rolling vistas of vineyards along the way before returning back to Adelaide.  

McLaren Vale: E-Bike Rental to Explore the Vineyards

6. McLaren Vale: E-Bike Rental to Explore the Vineyards

From the time you enter the hire base, you will feel a part of the area. One Hundred and eighty years of tradition has gone into make McLaren Vale a truly special wine district. The electric bike will help as much as you need to give you a relaxed ride along the many bike tracks in the area so you can arrive at your destination relaxed, refreshed and ready to enjoy the unique offer of any of the 100+ wineries and restaurants in the wine region. Wine not your thing? Gin distilleries and micro breweries add to your choice - taste the differences that local and fresh ingredients can make when combined with talent and perseverance. Need more? Restaurants lead by award winning chefs. Bakeries with award winning bakers Even more? Wildlife that will watch you as you silently cruise past. There is something for everyone in McLaren Vale.

From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

7. 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 might even catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale during the winter months. Your tour then continues through the wine-making region of McLaren Vale, best known for producing outstanding Shiraz, and you'll enjoy a scenic drive through South Australia’s southern metropolitan beaches of Port Noarlunga and Moana before returning to Adelaide.

Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

8. Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

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.

From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Winery Tour via Hahndorf

9. From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Winery Tour via Hahndorf

Join us on an exciting tour of McLaren Vale. After getting picked up from your hotel in Adelaide or Glenelg, set out on your journey towards McLaren Vale via Hahndorf, with an option to take the scenic route through the Adelaide Hills along the way. During your tour, visit 2 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.They offer shipping as well. Ask the Celler door. Enjoy delicious lunch at the beautiful Oxenberry winery with their stunning views and excellent wines. 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 sightseeing the Cube building before getting dropped off back at your hotel.

Adelaide: Full-Day Vines and Victor Harbor Eco Adventure

10. 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.

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Frequently asked questions about McLaren Vale Outdoor activities

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Other Sightseeing Options in McLaren Vale

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What people are saying about McLaren Vale

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.