Celebrate Spring in the Clare Valley
With the countryside becoming a patchwork of colour, and longer, blue sky days, Spring really is the perfect time to explore the Clare Valley. With so much to see and do, our team have put their heads together over coffee to decide on our top tips to help you make the most of your time in our beautiful region in Spring, whether you only have time for a short escape or can take a longer family holiday:
- Get active and cycle or walk one of our beautiful trails in the Clare Valley to see the region at its most picturesque.
- The 33km Riesling Trail is the most popular of our cycling trails in the region, winding past farms and vineyards with detours to wineries, bakeries and pubs along the way (though we all agreed its best to hire an e-bike if you're not a regular cyclist - you are on holiday after all!).
- The Wine and Wilderness Trail is a newer hiking trail, traversing both private and public lands, with extra effort rewarded by stunning outlooks and the temptation of a tasting at one of the wineries on the route.
- For those with less time, consider doing one of the Clare Valley Short Walks, which can easily be squeezed in after a lazy long lunch.
- For guests staying at Bungaree, there's also a short 4.5km scenic walking trail through some of our paddocks, perfect for admiring the tapestry of colour stretching across the countryside, with yellow paddocks of canola amongst the green crops, pastures and native vegetation.
- Head along to a country event or show. There's a wide range of events associated around the Clare Valley during Festival of the Lamb in September, while the Clare Show on 19 October always draws a great crowd, not only for the exhibits and sideshows but also for the dog jumping and Jack Russell racing! The Clare Aerodrome will be busy on 26 October with the RFDS Black Tie Gala Ball. For the latest events, visit the Clare Valley website.
- Explore the heritage of the Clare Valley.
- The township of Mintaro celebrates in 175th anniversary in October which is the perfect excuse to visit beautiful Martindale Hall, perhaps on the weekend on 26 October when it hosts an Antique Fair and Roadshow.
- Come visit us at Bungaree to do a self guided tour of the station complex. If you visit in early October, there's a chance you will also catch our annual shearing.
- Dip into Burra's rich past with the heritage passsport providing access to many historic sites.
- Enjoy a long lunch at one of the Clare Valley's fabulous wineries, whether you're sitting under the olive tree at Skillogallee, overlooking the Polish Hill from the deck at Pauletts or perhaps enjoying a Sunday Farmhouse Lunch at the Curly Goose and Sawmill Gin. If you're after something lighter, food trucks and pop up food stalls make regular appearances at many cellar doors throughout Spring.
- Have fun in the sun with the kids, perhaps getting lost in the Mintaro Maze or playing a round of at Rices Creek Mini Golf near Auburn. Kids also love riding the flying fox at Sevenhill's Richardson Park and the Clare Model Engineers train rides at Clare's Melrose Park operate the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month and area great fun.
- For those who want to go beyond the wineglass or plate, and learn more about our produce in the Clare Valley, have a campfire conversation with Sevenhill Cellars winemaker Will Shields, enjoy a "Teach me, Feed me" experience at Watervale Hotel, or book our 4WD farm tour "Behind the Farm Gate" to find out more about farming at Bungaree.
A final piece of advice: Spring does tend to get busy so if you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, please contact us or check availability of our accommodation online.
For more information of what to see and do in the Clare Valley, visit clarevalley.com.au or pop into the Clare Valley Wine, Food and Tourism Centre.
