Wine, Wildlife & Outback Trail

Wine, Wildlife & Outback Trail

4 days
Approx 900 kilometres/560 miles

This is a drive of spectacular contrasts. Travel through two of Australia’s most renowned and picturesque wine regions, the Barossa and the Clare Valley, and the stunning landscape of the Flinders Ranges with its rich Aboriginal culture, wildlife, rugged gorges and ranges.

Day 1
One of world’s most famous and historic 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. After Lyndoch, there is an endless choice of attractions and wineries. At Rowland Flat, visit the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, ‘home’ to the famous wine and the creek, and the cellar door of the major wine company Orlando Wyndham. Other wineries on this route include Grant Burge Wines and St Hallett Wines, each known for their premium wines.
 
The town of Tanunda is a delight, and a walk around is the best way to see its unique historic attractions. There are good country cafés, bakeries and antique and craft shops 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 Angas Park Fruit Company to purchase some delicious dried fruits or 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 striking contemporary setting of Wolf Blass Visitor Centre. There’s good dining throughout the Barossa. For picnic fare and to taste great regional produce, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop is highly recommended. For dinner, try 1918 Bistro & Grill in Tanunda; Vintners Bar & Grill or Salters, both near Angaston; or Apellation at Marananga.

Similarly, accommodation in the Barossa is varied and excellent. Pretty, historic self-contained cottages, hosted bed & breakfasts, heritage or resort-style accommodation, hotels and motels are all available.

Adelaide – Tanunda: 71km, 1 hour 10min
Adelaide – Tanunda via Chain of Ponds: 74km, 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). Be sure to stop at the North Star Hotel for a drink or bite to eat. Then continue north to the former railway town of Quorn and join a Pichi Richi Camel Tour through this inspiring landscape.

Next, travel on to Wilpena Pound, in Flinders Ranges National Park, where the mountain ranges open out into an enormous natural amphitheatre, rimmed with peaks and lined with native pine forest. The pound has breathtaking scenery, rich Aboriginal and European history, wildlife and walking trails. Wilpena Pound Resort and Rawnsley Park Station are ideal accommodation bases next to Wilpena Pound.

Tanunda - Wilpena Pound: 384km, 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 in September and October.  Scenic flights are also 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, via the Clare Valley.  The Clare Valley is a premium cool climate wine region, with more than 40 cellar doors to explore. Its oldest vineyard is Sevenhill Cellars, established by Jesuits Brothers in 1848. Enjoy lunch at Skillogalee, just one of the local cellar doors that offer dining based on local produce. Visit the heritage-listed village of Mintaro and enjoy a walk around the remarkable buildings, all 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, cellar doors and attractions between the towns of Clare and Auburn. Extend your stay here for a day or two to further explore the region or continue back to Adelaide.

Wilpena – Clare: 313 km, 3 hours 30 minutes
Clare – Adelaide: 134km, 1 hour 40 minutes