About Clare Valley

An authentic slice of country life.

If there's one word that people use to describe the Clare Valley, it's 'authentic.'

Whether you're walking through our intimate villages, cycling along a track that passes through the farmlands, or exploring the country roads and bushland, you can't help but fall for the region's natural charms.

One thing that you'll notice about this rural community is that there always seems to be a festival atmosphere, just like you've stepped straight into harvest season.

When you sample the local produce at a farmhouse tasting room, you may find yourself talking to the person whose name is on the label.

And when you try a riesling at one of the region's award-winning wineries, you might just find yourself chatting to the winemaker, and hearing first hand about the meticulous craft that went into making it.

If you're after a real taste of the country, this is the place to visit.

Tradition lives on

In the Clare Valley, our love of the good life stretches all the way back to a time when life was simpler.

That's why you'll see members of the Jesuit order tending to grape vines, just as their predecessors did more than hundred and fifty years ago. Their winemaking techniques have changed with the times, but the passion and dedication remains.

One of the best ways to experience the living traditions of the Clare Valley is to drive the Heartland Heritage Trail, a 300 kilometre drive through history.

You'll see lovingly restored towns, where the region's pioneering history lives on, including Gawler, South Australia's oldest country town; Kapunda, the birthplace of Australia's copper industry; Burra, where the buildings have been lovingly maintained; and Mintaro, home to Martindale Hall - one of Australia's finest stately homes.

If you think you've driven into a setting that's straight out of a movie, you're probably not mistaken. The Clare Valley is a favourite location for Australian filmmakers and television producers.