Wine, Wildlife & Outback Trail
Barossa, Flinders Ranges and Clare Valley - 4 days
Day 1
One of Australia's most famous wine regions, the Barossa, is a one-hour drive north east of Adelaide. Take the picturesque route through the Adelaide Hills, via Chain of Ponds and Kersbrook to arrive at Williamstown. Just outside the town is the Barossa Reservoir with its engineering feat, the Whispering Wall. The wall has a remarkable acoustic phenomenon: messages whispered at one side can be heard clearly at the other end, 140 metres away.
Continue on to Lyndoch, perhaps stopping for morning tea at the Lyndoch Bakery. On the road to Tanunda stop at the Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre, home to the famous wine and cellar door of the major wine company Orlando Wyndham. Other wineries along this road include Grant Burge Wines and St Hallett Wines, each known for their premium wines.
The town of Tanunda is a delight - walking is the best way to see its historic attractions. There are good country cafés, bakeries and antique and craft shops along this street too. Other recommended wineries on the outskirts of Tanunda include Chateau Tanunda, Peter Lehmann Wines, Richmond Grove and Langmeil Winery.
Drive to the town of Angaston via Mengler Hill Lookout for one of the best views of the Barossa Valley. In Angaston, visit the Angas Park Fruit Company to purchase some delicious dried fruits or the Barossa Valley Cheese Company for delicious cheeses. Both Saltram Winery and Yalumba are near Angaston also well worth a visit.
This afternoon continue exploring the wineries of the region, perhaps visiting those near the town of Nuriootpa, such as Elderton Wines, Penfolds Wines and the Wolf Blass Visitor Centre. For a light lunch, or just to taste and purchase regional produce, Maggie Beer's Farm Shop is highly recommended. For dinner, try 1918 Bistro & Grill in Tanunda, and Vintners Bar & Grill or Salters, both just outside Angaston.
Accommodation in the Barossa includes historic self-contained cottages, hosted bed & breakfasts, heritage or resort-style accommodation, hotels and motels.
Adelaide - Tanunda: 71 kilometres, 1 hour 10 minutes
Adelaide - Tanunda via Chain of Ponds: 74 kilometres, 1 hour 20 minutes
Day 2
Travel to Wilpena via Melrose, the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. It has a beautiful setting at the foot of Mount Remarkable (which is surrounded by national park). Stop at the North Star Hotel for a drink or bite to eat. Continue north to pretty Quorn and join a Pichi Richi Camel tour through this inspiring landscape. Then travel on to Wilpena Pound, where the mountain ranges open out into an enormous natural amphitheatre, rimmed with peaks and lined with native pine forest. Wilpena Pound Resort and Rawnsley Park Station are ideal accommodation bases next to Wilpena Pound.
Tanunda - Wilpena Pound 384 kilometres: 4 hours 30 minutes
Day 3
Spend the next day or so exploring the area either by walking trail or a guided 4WD tour, keeping an eye out for native animals and wildflowers (especially between month and month). Scenic flights are available (such as a 30 minute flight over the pound) and are a great way to truly appreciate the grandeur of this dramatic landscape. To the west of the pound lies the tiny 'town' of Parachilna - a stop in at the Prairie Hotel here is a must! The hotel enjoys an Australia-wide reputation for its fine native cuisine and luxury outback accommodation.
Day 4
Head south to Adelaide, stopping into the Clare Valley, one of Australia's premium cool climate wine regions, with more than 30 cellar doors to explore. Its oldest vineyard is Sevenhill Cellars, established by the Jesuits in 1848. Enjoy lunch at Neagles Rock Vineyard or Skillogalee, just two of the local cellar doors that offer dining. Visit the heritage village of Mintaro and enjoy a walk around: all its remarkable heritage buildings are a short distance from each other.
The magnificent 19th century mansion Martindale Hall is approximately 10 minutes drive from Mintaro and open to the public. The Riesling Trail is an excellent walking and cycling path, and links many wineries and cellar doors. Extend your stay here for a day or two to further explore the region or continue back to Adelaide.
Wilpena - Clare: 313 kilometres, 3 hours 30 minutes
Clare - Adelaide: 134 kilometres, 1 hour 40 minutes
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