On the last Saturday of the month, the hamlet of Sevenhill comes alive with stallholders and patrons for the Sevenhill Producers Market. Sevenhill Cellars for a tour of the stately St Aloysius’ Church and college buildings - home of the first winery in the Clare Valley.
Nothing beats a lazy lunch under the olive tree on the veranda at Skillogalee Winery & Restaurant or out on the deck at Paulett Wines & Bush DeVine Cafe. Indulge in regional produce and award winning wines, while soaking in the spectacular views. Stone Bridge Wines, Eldredge Vineyards and the Sevenhill Hotel also cater for lunch in this area (see specific websites for days and times at selected venues).
After lunch, explore neighbouring cellar doors, including Sussex Squire Wines, Mitchells Wines, Kilikanoon Wines and Penna Lane Wines, to name a few.
If your sweet-tooth is calling, head to Pancho's Pizza & Pasta Bar in Clare to sample your way through the selection of gelati and milkshakes on hand.
After a day of consuming, you might like a light dinner in your own style. Shut the Gate Wines & Cellar Door is home to a beautiful wine bar and provedore. Fill your basket with cheese, pasta, meats or olives and create your own supper to take back to your accommodation or housing.
If you need your morning exercise, the Clare Valley is the perfect place to stretch the legs. The popular Riesling Trail is a great start- it’s a 32km track, suitable for beginners to medium level fitness fanatics, which offers shade, views and country scenery along the way.
Jump in the car and take the scenic road from Sevenhill to Mintaro. Established in 1849, Mintaro is steeped in history, made famous for its slate from the local quarry. It is also home to the grand Martindale Hall. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll the gardens and surrounds of Martindale Hall, taking in its Georgian exterior and extraordinary Italianate interiors. You might recognise the building from the 1975 film Picnic from Hanging Rock!
Rest at Reillys:
For a bite to eat, Reillys Cellar Door & Restaurant in the heart of Mintaro is a must. Featuring fresh local produce from the nearby vegie patch, sit back and enjoy the country atmosphere.
Just around the corner from Reillys is Mintaro Maze- a living hedge maze consisting of over 800 conifers, fountains, twists and turns. Suitable for children, groups and couples, the maze is a unique experience you won’t forget.
After a full day of exploring the hamlet of Mintaro, dine in at one of Clare Valley’s leading restaurants to experience country hospitality at its best. There’s Conners Restaurant at Clare Country Club, Seed Winebar + Kitchen, Top of the Hill Restaurant at Clare Valley Motel, or Terroir Auburn.
No trip to the Clare Valley is complete without a visit to the historical town of Burra. Famed for its mining heritage, the township is an echo of the yesteryear. Stroll the antique shops and heritage buildings, or grab a Burra Heritage Passport and accompany key from the Visitor Information Centre and make your way around the 11km self-guided tour of the town, exploring eight locked buildings and 50 other sites of interest.
In 1845, migrants flocked to the bustling town of Burra during the mining boom, to try their luck for copper ore. This gave rise to the world’s largest mine- the Burra Monster Mine. Visitors can explore the remnants of this mining community and learn firsthand what it would have been like to live in a thriving mining town in the golden days.
After a morning of mining exploration, take leave at the popular restaurant La Pecora Nera (The Black Sheep) for some authentic Italian pizza and pasta. This laid-back friendly eatery is located in the heart of Burra, and offers wood oven pizza and mouth-watering homemade pasta.
There’s also the Burra Regional Art Gallery, Historical Photographic Exhibition at the Town Hall, the Blacksmiths Shop, Burra Dugouts, and the General Store to add to the list of places to see before you head home.