Escaping to the Clare Valley this Summer
Traditionally Aussies head to the beach or river when Summer arrives, but more and more visitors are discovering the cool charm of visiting the Clare Valley during the warmer months. Now is a great time to book your midweek escape or longer Summer break in the Clare Valley, and get a taste of country life at its best.
Once you start exploring the region, you will discover what we love about the Clare Valley at this time of year, including:
- Early mornings on the Riesling Trail. Join the locals cycling or walking along the tranquil Riesling Trail through townships, vineyards and farms. If the weather is forecast to be warm, you may want to just do a shorter stretch, perhaps from Clare to Sevenhill, in time for coffee and morning tea at the bakery in Sevenhill or general store in Watervale.
- Relaxed tasting sessions at boutique wineries, distilleries and breweries, where the person who greets you at the counter may even be the winemaker/distiller/brewer/grapegrower, who can provide you with (uninterrupted) insights as they talk you through a beverage selection tailored to your tastebuds.
- Long lunches at wineries, where the wine, food and beautiful surrounds perfectly complement eachother. Our favourite wineries for lazy Summer lunches overlooking the vines include Pikes, Pauletts, Skillogallee and O'Leary Walker.
- Appreciating the local art scene, as not only can you have an unobstructed view at many of the region’s art galleries, but if you admire the style of a local artist, you can sometimes arrange to meet them and view some of their other works.
- Get a dose of retail therapy, including visiting the beautifully styled farmhouse studio showcasing Mickelloo and other Australian designers just a 5 minute drive from Bungaree, popping into Main Street Blooms or Grace & Maple in Clare or exploring the fabulous clothing and homewares at some of the other great shops in the region including BullRush and Iris & Wool in Burra, Sassy Lass in Riverton and A Joyful Bunch in Auburn.
- Catching a glimpse of the past, as you really feel like you’re stepping back in time when you visit properties like Martindale Hall and Bungaree Station during the quieter midweek period. Refreshments, including Golden North icecreams, espresso coffee and a range of local wines and beers are also available to enjoy in the sun at the old Station Store at Bungaree.
- Relaxed dinners at a restaurant or pub, where local waiting staff will happily recommend their favourite items, and the chef may even pop out of the kitchen to give you a rundown on the menu. The creative menus at Ragu & Co and Antidote Kitchen will satisfy most cravings, while a little further afield, the Watervale Hotel showcases local produce at its best.
- Wide range of events that make the most of the beautiful weather, ranging from Twilight Christmas Markets and Outdoor Cinema Sessions through to country races and rodeos.
Another bonus for visitors at this time of year is the availability of a wide range of accommodation – whether you want to sip cold Clare Valley Rieslings on the verandah of a self contained 1860s cottage, or stay in a luxurious self contained suite in the heart of Clare, it is likely you will find the accommodation that suits your needs in the Clare Valley.
To celebrate this glorious time of the year, Bungaree Station is currently offering a “Summer Specials” on available accommodation for stays between 1 December – 28 February, with savings of 10% off stays of 3 or more nights.
You can check availability and make a booking online or by contacting Bungaree Station.
