Route summary: Adelaide – Watervale – Clare – Auburn – Adelaide
Sometimes you just need to grab your gal pals and get away from the craziness of life… and Clare Valley is the perfect place to do exactly that! This itinerary is curated with a good mix of adventure, relaxation and food and wine in mind. Go on girl, treat yourself!
Day 1
Adelaide – Watervale – Clare
Total driving distance: 145km
Stay
Clare Hillside Apartments (four nights)
With charming treetop vistas, spacious interiors, and contemporary decor and amenities, Clare Hillside Apartments offers self-contained one and two bedroom apartments right in the heart of Clare. You won’t need a car for the next few days… as you’ll be able to explore everything Clare Valley has to offer on foot and bicycle!
Image credit :: Clare Hillside Apartments
Morning:
- Depart Adelaide and take the leisurely drive to Watervale. It’s less than two hours drive time, but if you need a pit stop, the Gawler South Bakery serves up some pretty delish treats. Don’t go too hard, you’ll need to save room for lunch!
- You could also take a small detour via Lake Bumbunga (Pink Lake). The colours of the lake turn from blue to white and pink throughout the year as the salinity in the water changes… and it’s definitely instagram-worthy when the pink hues are on show!
Afternoon:
- Nothing says Clare Valley like a long lunch accompanied by good local wine, so first stop is the iconic Watervale Hotel, a hatted restaurant in the heart of wine country! It’s been beautifully renovated but still maintains the charm of eras gone by. The menu embodies the true spirit of farm to plate, sourcing fresh, local produce from the region and even from their own backyard. Settle in for the six-course degustation menu and let the chefs do their work… they’ll even pair wines for you.
- Head to Clare where you will check in to your accommodation at Clare Hillside Apartments for the next three nights.
Evening:
- After a long lunch, tonight is all about relaxation in your accommodation. Jump into your PJs, nibble on a cheese platter, sip on a vino or a good cup of tea and gossip with the gals until you’re ready to retire to bed.
Image credit :: Gawler South Bakery | Watervale Hotel
Day 2
Clare
Morning:
- If you need to be told to sleep in, we’re telling you now! Start the day at your leisure with a home-cooked brekky in your accommodation or head out to Cafe 1871 for dangerously good coffee and croissants!
- Exploring the walking trail to Neagles Rock Lookout is a great way to stretch the legs and you will be rewarded with a fabulous view from the top.
Afternoon:
- Head to Antidote Kitchen for a casual bite to eat in the beautifully restored old chaff mill building.
- After lunch, stroll the Main Street of Clare for a spot of shopping (Grace & Maple and Anneva are two of our faves). Then pop in to The Arts Collective Clare Valley to appreciate an eclectic collection of local art on display.
- Head back to your accommodation for some chill-out time before freshening up for dinner.
Dinner:
- Dinner at Ragu & Co offers a truly authentic Italian dining experience right in the heart of Clare. They use only the freshest local ingredients and they’ve got an extensive wine and cocktail list so you can settle in for a while!
Image credit :: Antidote Kitchen | Grace & Maple | Ragu & Co
Day 3
Clare – Sevenhill – Penwortham – Leasingham – Auburn – Clare (Riesling Trail)
Total cycling distance: 26km one way
Morning:
- Have brekky in your accommodation before setting off on an adventure to ride the famous Clare Valley RieslClaring Trail. You can hire bikes from Riesling Trail Bike Hire with a range of options from vintage bikes to e-bikes (which we absolutely recommend for a big day of cycling!) Plan ahead to get a transfer back from Auburn to Clare at the end of the day to save you back-tracking!
- The trail leads you through stunning countryside and you can choose to stop along the route at any of the cellar doors. Some of our faves include Tim Adams Wines, Sevenhill Cellars, Skillogallee Wines & Restaurant, O’Leary Walker Wines and Mount Horrocks Wines. But it’s not all about the wines… if gin is your thing make a beeline for Sawmill Gin for a different kind of tasting!
Afternoon:
- There’s numerous options for lunch stops on the trail, so take your pick… but if you’re looking for our recommendation, Bush deVine Restaurant at Paulett Wines or Slate Restaurant at Pikes Wines are both superb.
Evening:
- It’s been a huge day, so on your return to Clare Hillside Apartments you’ll probably just want to have a shower and flop on the couch. You can self-cater dinner at your accommodation or order in takeaway and enjoy a night in with your bosom buddies!
Image credit :: Clare Valley | Skillogallee Wines & Restaurant | Pikes Wines
Day 4
Clare – Barinia – Clare (Riesling Trail)
Total cycling distance: 16km return loop
Morning:
- Enjoy breakfast in your accommodation before a leisurely ride to Barinia. This section of the Riesling Trail sees you cruising through some of the region’s most visually stunning countryside. Make a stop on your way out of town at the peaceful Gleeson Wetlands then cycle on for a tasting at Mr Mick Cellar Door, before rolling into the Clare Country Club for a well-deserved lunch.
Afternoon:
- Enjoy epic vineyard views over White Hut and then wind through beautiful bushland to the historic White Hut Cemetery. Follow the vines across White Hut Creek to Barinia before making your way back along the trail to Clare at your own pace.
- A stop on the way back at Jim Barry Wines or Knappstein won’t disappoint!
- Book ahead for a hot stone massage at The Beautique in the main street to soothe your weary muscles, or just chill out back at your apartment.
Evening:
- The last night in town calls for a farewell dinner at Seed, where you can dine on pizza and pasta or treat yourself to the slow cooked lamb shank! The service is excellent and the atmosphere is relaxed so you can just enjoy each other’s company.
Image credit :: Mr Mick | Jim Barry Wines | Seed
Day 5
Clare – Adelaide
Total driving distance: 142km
Morning:
- One last chance to sleep in and enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before you check out and bid farewell to Clare Valley. Before you leave, make sure you all check your calendars and lock in the next girls trip away.
Image credit :: Clare Hillside Apartments
