With a countryside blessed with stunning views, rows of vineyards, sweeping farmland and natural beauty, the Clare Valley is the perfect place to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors. And, with so many designated tracks and trails, you won’t be disappointed.
The Clare Valley Riesling Trail is not only the perfect way to explore the area; it’s also a regional icon. Named after the valley’s popular grape variety, the Riesling Trail is ideally located between Auburn and Clare.
It’s a 35km track, suitable for beginners to medium level fitness enthusiasts, which offers shade, views and country scenery along the way. You can take the Riesling Trail by bike or foot at your own pace. It takes approximately two and a half hours to ride on a bike, and nine hours to walk. Alternatively, you can jump on the Trail at any point along the way to enjoy the stunning views, modern art sculptures and picturesque countryside.
The Rattler Trail is a 19km track that runs from Riverton to Auburn on the southern end of the Riesling Trail, passing rolling farmlands, vineyards and even a dairy. The track has been re-surfaced to suit mountain bikes, walkers, runners and hikers.
In the Clare Valley region, the Heysen Trail follows the shape of the Gilbert Valley from Kapunda through the Tothill Ranges to Burra and onto the Flinders Ranges.
This path reveals the rich heritage of the Mid-North pastoral areas, and connects the two of the most fascinating heritage towns in South Australia- Burra and Kapunda.
Spring Gully Conservation Park is 400ha of grassy woodland and an abundance of native orchids. From Blue Gum Lookout, stroll along the 1.3 kilometre Cascade Walk. After a good rainfall you can see the Cascades Waterfall tumbling down against a backdrop of blooming spider orchids. Experienced hikers may want to stretch legs on the more challenging 2.6 kilometre Wynmanns Hike Loop to be rewarded with incredible views of rolling hills and blue gums to the south and a mosaic of farms on the westerly plains.
The Redbanks Conservation Park Walking Trail is characterised by rugged earth gorges and predominantly two types of vegetation - Mallee scrub, and Blackbush with Bluebush.
See the sun-soaked countryside made famous in Colin Thiele novels, on these Clare Valley heritage trails. Burra's Heritage Passport Trail is perhaps the Clare Valley's most famous heritage trails. It's an intimate discovery of Burra's fascinating past. But, it's certainly not the only heritage trail you can traverse in this remarkable valley. You can walk or drive many others. Colin Thiele was one of Australia's most popular authors, penning Storm Boy, Sun on the Stubble and many more classics and these books brought the South Australian landscape to life. The Colin Thiele Drive is a journey of approximately 25kms, taking in the scenic beauty the district has to offer and area of interest from the early life of Eudunda's favourite son.
Burra Heritage Passport
Burra Heritage Passport is available seven days a week from the Burra Visitor Information Centre.
Burra's unique Heritage Passport allows the visitor access to eight locked sites, including the Monster Mine area, the Redruth Gaol, the underground Unicorn Brewery Cellars and the Burra Dugouts. A comprehensive guidebook details 49 historic sites over an 11km driving trail.
You are entitled to keep the passport key for the duration of your stay in Burra, so take your time, enjoy the sites as many times as you like, and learn about our wonderful past.
Clare Historical Walk
Wander the town of Clare and marvel at the historical Churches and stately buildings. Visit the WW1 Memorial Plaque, commemorating the 26 former scholars of Clare Schools. Highlights include the first school of the township, the Institute, Historic Banks and the Salvation Army's Citadel.
Guide leaflets available at Clare Valley Discovery Centre. Approximate time for walk: 1.5 to 2 hours (not including Clare General Cemetery). Devised by the Lions Club of Clare District and Clare Regional History Group.
Farrell Flat Heritage Walk – A Walk with Laurel
Booklet available from Gally’s Meeting House, Farrell Flat.
Laurel Neill (nee Mickel) lived in Farrell Flat in the 1920s-1930s. Her father was the local butcher and, as such, she has a wealth of knowledge of this quirky little town. Laurel takes you on a walk around the small town of Farrell Flat, describing the buildings and local identities of her childhood. Told in her own humorous style, spend an hour or two with Laurel and relive the bustling activity of life in those depression years.
Mintaro Heritage Walk
Mintaro is a must do on your Clare Valley experience! The Mintaro hamlet was established in 1849 and the town's historic significance was recognised in 1984 when it received State Heritage status.
Meander through the antique shop, explore the gardens, lose yourself in the maze, and explore the old buildings, including the majestic Martindale Hall.
Penwortham Heritage Walk
The picturesque village of Penwortham was founded in 1839 by John Ainsworth Horrocks. After arriving in Adelaide on his 21st birthday in March of that year, Horrocks ventured north on the advice of Edward John Eyre and finally settled at a fertile, well-watered spot which he named Penwortham after his home in Lancashire, England. Horrocks wasted no time in settling the village and building a two-roomed stone cottage which still stands today.
A walk around this historic village will reveal many places of interest and some surviving heritage buildings.
Approximate time for the full walk at a leisurely pace is 1.5 hours.
Walk With History At Auburn
Auburn, gateway to the Clare Valley, is rich in history and heritage buildings. As early as 1839, in South Australia’s infancy as a colony, pioneers grazed sheep and cattle in the district. The township, which was established in 1849, was first known as Tateham’s Waterhole, according to local legend. At about the same time Auburn was being developed, copper was discovered at Burra to the north-east. The copper was transported by bullock drays along the Gulf Road from Burra, through Auburn, to Port Henry (now called Port Wakefield)
The walk is a leisurely wander through the village of Auburn, highlighting the history of the buildings and places of interest
Auburn now offers visitors an attractive variety of accommodation, many heritage buildings of architectural and historic merit, art galleries, cafes and a number of winery cellar doors, all within easy walking distance