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Things to do in McLaren Vale

Our most recommended things to do in McLaren Vale

South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

1. South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

Get picked up from your accommodation in Glenelg at 9 AM or Adelaide at 9:20 – 9:30 AM for a full day of sightseeing around the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula.  Enjoy the scenic drive from Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills before arriving in the historic German village of Hanhdorf. Treat yourself to morning tea at The Haus, visit the Antique Clock Museum, or shop around in the village's boutique stores. Travel on to the old paddle steamer port of Goolwa for a stroll along the beach where the Murray River meets the sea. Make a short stopover at South Australia's greatest surfing beach before continuing on to Victor Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for whales as you pass Basham Beach during whale season.  Next, explore the seaside town of Victor Harbor where you can visit the Whale Center and Museum. Take advantage of the chance to visit Granite Island and check out the fairy penguins or ride the famous horse-drawn tram. Purchase lunch from one of the many quaint restaurants and pubs. Your last stop of the day will be McLaren Vale, one of Australia's oldest and finest olive, wine, and almond-growing regions. Taste some of the area's best wines, purchase some locally-grown, homemade delicacies before returning back to your accommodation at around 5:30 PM.

Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

2. Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

Join this full-day small-group tour featuring some of Adelaide's finest experiences, including a visit to the German settlement town of Hahndorf and two wine tastings. Pickup is available from selected locations around Adelaide CBD. Your tour starts with a city highlights tour. As you get your bearings, learn about Adelaide's history and gain some insider secrets from your tour guide, the must-dos, the places to visit, and the best restaurants at which to enjoy Adelaide's finest food. Traveling out of the city, the tour takes you to visit the iconic Adelaide Oval (events permitting). Then, head through picturesque North Adelaide, scattered with stunning Federation architecture and lavish homes.  Be sure to have your camera ready because the next stop is a spectacular view of Adelaide from the summit of Mount Lofty. From Mount Lofty, it's on to Hahndorf. The German settlement of Hahndorf is an absolute delight. With its abundance of boutique shops and eateries, there's plenty to explore as you enjoy 2 hours of free time to do whatever you please. Meet the bus back at Bus Stop 54 on the main street of Hahndorf. Climb back on board, sit back, relax, and enjoy the short but scenic drive through the heart of the beautiful Adelaide Hills en route to the iconic wine-tasting region of McLaren Vale. Once you arrive at McLaren Vale the first stop is the stunning Chapel Hill Winery. Have your taste buds primed and your camera poised as your host at Chapel Hill tantalizes you with a wonderful wine tasting experience at their picturesque cellar door. From Chapel Hill, you'll wind through the stunning countryside, with grapevines and sea views as you head to the next winery, the quaint Shingleback Winery.  This Wine tasting is really relaxed and you'll get to enjoy a structured tasting of Shinglebacks finest wines. If you're peckish, you can purchase a cheeseboard to enjoy with your wine. Now the tour heads back towards Adelaide along the scenic route. Gaze out at the Adelaide coastline as you journey towards the final destination of the day, Adelaide's beautiful seaside suburb of Glenelg.  There are two options here. Either take a 20-minute stroll to check the place out and hop back on board or stay and make your own way back on the tram.

McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

3. McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

The tour departs the city and heads towards Glenelg taking the coastal route to the Fleurieu Peninsular. You will head down the beautiful mid south coast, with its glistening visas of the Gulf St Vincent, and pristine award winning beaches before your arrival at the first legendary cellar door. McLaren Vale's beautiful wineries are steeped in history with friendly knowledgeable staff, happy to guide you through each wine tasting experience.   A sumptuous lunch awaits you at the Winery Restaurant, with vegetarian options available.    Drive though the ‘Vale’ to visit two more cellar doors, passing rolling vistas of vineyards along the way before returning back to Adelaide.  

Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

4. Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

The tour departs Adelaide CBD and heads straight into the heart of the picturesque McLaren Vale. Visit the well-known Chapel Hill winery, and learn about the process of wine from grape to glass, then enjoy a selection of wines. The last wine tasting session of the day is Shingleback winery, set in the stunning rolling hills of the landscape. On the return trip to Adelaide, travel via the beautiful bay of Glenelg and stroll along the seafront to admire views across the open water. Choose to stay in Glenelg, grab dinner, watch the sunset and make your own way back to Adelaide at your leisure, or enjoy a 15 minute stroll, and hop back on the bus and head back to Adelaide.

From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

5. From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

Explore the McLaren Vale wine region in the comfort of a small-group guided tour that visits five to six wineries, cellar doors, gin rooms, and/or breweries during your day trip.  Depart on a 45-minute journey to the McLaren Vale wine region in the air-conditioned comfort of a luxury Mercedes Benz. Arrive in McLaren Vale in time for the opening of wineries and underground cellars throughout the area. Enjoy the pportunity to do tastings at iconic and boutique wineries, some of which are off the beaten track, selected especially to suit your tastes.  Learn about viticulture and how to identify your favorite wine during tasting sessions with the region’s winemakers. Savor a delicious regional lunch platter, served at a local cellar, comprising of local cheeses, meats, salads, and breads. After lunch, you will continue to visit the remaining wineries, gin rooms, and breweries on the itinerary, before departing back to your accommodation at around 4:30 PM.

Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

6. Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

You will be picked up in central Adelaide and transported to Kuitpo Forest, a beautiful spot above the McLaren Vale wine region. You will be provided with a good quality mountain bike with front suspension & disc brakes, and a helmet if you do not have your own. Set off to explore the forest. Kangaroos and koalas can regularly be seen on the ride. Next is a lovely descent down Willunga Hill towards McLaren Vale, and then it’s time for wine tasting. Then ride through the vineyards and stop at a number of local wineries to sample their fare and perhaps purchase some wine to take home with you. Stop for a lunch comprising of a local produce platter along the way.  In the afternoon leave it to the group to decide your final visits- maybe a micro-brewery, another winery, a cafe/chocolate stop for a little desert, or if it’s really warm maybe a swim stop at one of the beautiful beaches that fringe the Vale. Finally, you will be picked up and transported back to Adelaide.  The ride is fairly leisurely and is suitable for anyone who is happy riding a bike on firetracks and country roads. The van can also pick up your wine purchases along the way so you don't have to carry them.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

7. Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

Leave Adelaide and head out along the metropolitan coastline on a fascinating wine-themed day trip. Enjoy coastal views as you head to McLaren Vale, then visit a variety of wineries for guided tours and delicious tastings. Enjoy an Italian lunch with a wine-pairing experience. Then, head to d’Arenberg Cube. Nestled amongst vineyards, this 5-level “Rubiks cube” has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses. See the Alternate Realities Museum and art installations and enjoy a formal wine tasting on Level 4, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards. Next head to Chalk Hill Wines, a family-owned winery, dedicated to making small batch, hand crafted wines of distinction. Indulge in a traditional Italian style shared lunch prepared by Cucina Di Strada, paired with four of Chalk Hill's most popular wines. Continue to Beresford Wines and choose from one of 3 tastings in their new Tasting Pavilion. Select from wine, craft beer, or spirit and gin tastings dependent on your mood. Finally, head for Wirra Wirra Vineyards, located amongst the gum trees in the historic ironstone cellars. Enjoy a tour of the cellars and a structured tasting of their range of quality wines.

d'Arenberg: The Blending Bench Experience

8. d'Arenberg: The Blending Bench Experience

The Blending Bench is a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker. A palette of wine parcels, each with distinctive flavors and textures, are melded in search of balance, fullness and finesse. The tour operators have done the physical work – picking, crushing, fermenting, foot treading, basket pressing and barrel ageing, so that you get to create a wine that is truly unique. You then bottle, name and label a 750ml sample to take home and show off to your friends! Afterwards explore the grounds of the renowned D'Arenberg Winery, taking in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.

From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

9. From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

Enjoy a delightful tour of South Australia’s premier tourist region, the Fleurieu Peninsula. This tour begins with a picturesque journey through the Adelaide Hills to the historical Scottish settlement of Strathalbyn. Here you will stop for some free time and morning tea in High Street (own expense). Continue on to the paddle steamer town of Goolwa where you'll have a brief tour of the town including the wharf, barrage and beach. On your way to Victor Harbor, cruise past the charming coastal town of Port Elliot including Horseshoe Bay, and stop at Whale Lookout for a photo opportunity. Upon arrival at Victor Harbor, South Australia’s most popular seaside village, wander through the main street, sampling the fresh local product. Enjoy free time to explore Victor Harbor. Visit one of the many pubs or cafes for lunch, and following that, you may choose to explore Granite Island, where you’ll find the Little Penguins and might even catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale during the winter months. Your tour then continues to the wine-making region of McLaren Vale, best known for producing outstanding Shiraz. Wander the main street, sample the fresh local produce including the delicious cheeses at Blessed Cheese, taste some of the fine wines or grab a coffee at one of the many cafés. From here, enjoy a scenic drive through South Australia’s southern metropolitan beaches of Port Noarlunga and Moana before returning to Adelaide.

From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Winery Tour

10. From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Winery Tour

Create your dream tour of McLaren Vale with this customizable tour of the region's best wineries. Choose from a variety of different wineries, such as Chapel Hill, Cradle of Hills, Doc Adams, Hardys Tintara, Lazy Ballerina, Wirra Wirra or Yangarra. There is also a chance to meet the winemaker (via prior appointment). After getting picked up from your hotel in Adelaide or Glenelg, set out on your journey towards McLaren Vale, with an option to take the scenic route through the Adelaide Hills along the way. During your tour, visit 4 wineries where you will get a talk on how the wine is made, taste the wines and then get a chance to purchase your favorites. Later, explore the galleries, studios, shops and food producers on the McLaren Vale main street including Medlow Confectionery, home to the famous FruChocs. Finish your tour with lunch at a location of your choice before getting dropped off back at your hotel.

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What people are saying about McLaren Vale

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 273 reviews

Was very happy with this tour and was a great way to see the D'Arenburg Cube. Our guide/driver Jeff was very knowledgeable and professional (I also had him for a previous tour the week before). Didn't feel rushed during lunch or any of the tasting sessions. Was unsure about the lack of options for lunch but my noodle dish turned out very nice.

Excellent wineries tour, however, the trip though the back streets of Glenelg could have been foregone to make more time at the Cube

Very good tour.

Our transport was extremely comfortable and our guide, Pooja, was very pleasant and maintained an informative commentary.

Nick was an excellent host. Visited wineries we would never have found on our own. Fantastic choices. Lunch was amazing.

We enjoyed our day! Our guide Craig was excellent, friendly and very knowledgeable.