Flinders, Clare, McLaren Vale Self-Drive

8 Day Self-Drive Package

Clare Valley, Gawler Historic Town, Whispering Wall, Burra Historic Town, vineyards, cellars, Flinders Ranges, Moralana Scenic Drive, Wilpena Pound, Hookina Ruins, Yourambulla Caves, Port Augusta, McLaren Vale Wineries, Port Noarlunga, O'Sullivan Beach. Self-Drive Tour with Hotels Car Hire (unlimited kms) Bonus Vouchers. Departs from Adelaide. Themes include: South Australia, Departs from Adelaide, Fly-Drive Car, Returns from Adelaide. + Show more

Package Includes

  • 8 days Car Hire, "no worries" unlimited kms, comprehensive insurance
  • 2 nights good standard Clare Valley hotel (luxury upgrades available)
  • 2 nights good standard Flinders Range hotel (luxury upgrades available)
  • 2 nights good standard McLaren Vale hotel (luxury ugrades available)
  • 1 night good standard Port Augusta hotel (luxury upgrades available) 
  • South Australia Bonus Voucher Book ($500 value discounts at shops, restaurants & attractions)
  • Relax all the hard work has been taken out of your Self-Drive Holiday. Enjoy the freedom of the open road and the security of this popular DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Itinerary. 

Highlights

  Whispering Wall   Vineyards   Wilpena Pound   Clare Valley   Flinders Ranges & Outback   Port Augusta   McLaren Vale   Adelaide Hills   Barossa Valley   Gourmet South Australia   Wineries of South Australia
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Descriptions

Overview

Enjoy life in the slow lane; discover field-fresh produce at farm gates, welcoming cellar doors and chic cafes at Clare and McLaren Vale wineries. Explore streetscapes of pretty villages and celebrate the heritage of the master wine makers on your Clare Valley and McLaren Vale Self-Drive package. Discover amazing vistas across Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Range, leave footprints on a Spencer Gulf beach at Port Augusta and taste the sublime Shiraz, Cab Sauvignon and orchard fresh fruits of the McLaren Vale .

Self-Drive Tour from Adelaide, South Australia.

DAY 1 Adelaide - Clare Valley

Wander in rolling hills where history was made when ancient priests created famous vineyards and where mining helped Australia to grow; relax in friendly country towns and welcoming cellar doors and see magnificent aged buildings.

Today you can see Gawler Historic Town (first country town in South Australia, historical walking trails through Church Hill State Heritage Area), Whispering Wall (retaining wall of Barossa Reservoir, engineering masterpiece, creates unique acoustic effects, words whispered at one side can be clearly heard 100 meters away on other side), Goldfields Walk, Templers, Freeling, Linwood, Kapunda, Tarlee, Riverton, Rhynie, Undalya, Auburn (walking track to Clare), Leasingham, Watervale, Mintaro, Sevenhill, Clare, (Mintaro Maze, Lakeside Miniature Train Rides), Burra Historic Town (developed in 1845 when copper was discovered by two shepherds, Burra Historic Mine Site, Engine house Museum, Creek Miners Dugouts, Unicorn Brewery Cellars) or Stein Hill. Direct driving 139km (1.50 hours) .

Overnight Clare Valley

DAY 2 Discover Clare Valley

Pay homage to the early settlers and creators of the wonderland of wineries, restaurants, country pubs, farmers markets and farm gates, galleries and characterful towns and villages as you wander the fecund Clare Valley. Celebrate the craft of the old master winemakers (and the new, cutting edge breed of vintners), the farmers, artisans and settlers who long ago recognised the value of terroir, the high terrain, continental climate and fertile soils. Enjoy life in the charmingly slow lane, meandering the rolling hills, ales and lowlands of the Clare Valley wine trail and enjoying bucolic vistas and the beauty of the heritage villages and streetscapes as you wander the Riesling Trail, some 27 km long through the townships and wineries between Auburn and Clare visiting wineries such as the iconic Taylors, Annie's Lane, Mount Horrocks and Pikes.

Clare Valley (one of Australia's oldest wine areas [1842], 40 wineries, spectacular views, wildlife, wineries and heritage villages), Clare township (regional centre, pretty gardens and parklands, cafes, pubs), Bungaree (quaint town in fertile landscape), Sevenhill (named for similarity to landscape around Rome, Sevenhill Cellars picturesque winery established in 1851 and still owned by Catholic religious Society of Jesuits. Scenic drive to Polish Hill River Valley and Polish Church Museum. Good photo-ops at nearby Skilly Hills), Penwortham (pretty St Mark's church, Watervale (Eyre Creek, heritage buildings, pioneer winemaking by Francis Treloar [1853], Quelltaler winery buildings, museum and vineyards), Leasingham (pretty hamlet, rich viticultural lands, location of prominent winery Leasingham, was historic stopover [1850's] for Burra copper mines), Auburn (gateway to Clare Valley wine region and Riesling Trail, heritage buildings, cafes, restaurants, antiques, galleries, early Irish settlers town [1849] on River Wakefield, stopover for carters, 'bullockies' and muleteers' between Burra mines to Port Wakefield), Rhynie (historic pub), Tarlee (link between Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions, historic stone quarries used in the foundations South Australian Museum and Adelaide Railway Station), Stockport (historic town [1856] on the River Gilbert, Stockport Observatory), Riverton (1854, significant heritage buildings on River Gilbert, farming district, museum and park), Saddleworth (traditional character country town, railhead for grain producers, interesting old church and settlers cemetery), Manoora (pretty 1850 town, originally a sheep station, nearby mansion Martindale Hall of local stone), Marrabel (annual October rodeo since 1935, big statue of a bucking horse and rider), Waterloo, Mintaro (1849 village designated State Heritage Area, historically prospered as major stopover for copper ore carters), Martindale Hall State Conservation Park (see life as lived by the landed gentry in the 1800's), Blyth.

Overnight Clare Valley

DAY 3 Clare Valley - Flinders Ranges

See historic townships and wineries with a religious bent, dinkum Aussie pubs and an 'English village', ancient Indigenous art and flora and fauna and amazing mountain vistas.

Today you can see Spalding, Jamestown, Hornsdale, Peterborough, Orroroo, Walloway, Eurelia, Cradock, Hawker, Yourambulla Caves (Aboriginal rock art paintings, walking trails, caves in Historic Reserve), Jarvis Hill Lookout (panoramic views of Hawker Area), Hookina Ruins (locality on banks of Hookina Creek), Wonoka Historic Site, Moralana Scenic Drive (22 km Wilpena to Leah Creek Roads), Rawnsley Park Station (base for exploring Flinders Ranges), Sacred Canyon (mystical Aboriginal rock carvings and paintings), Wilpena Pound (natural amphitheatre of mountains, great for bushwalking) or Flinders Ranges National Park (17 walks and hikes, and Country of Adnyamathanha people-'the people of rocks'). Direct driving 307km (3.40 hours) .

Overnight Flinders Range

DAY 4 Discover Flinders Ranges

Discover the Flinders Ranges - this 540 million year old handsome and rugged ancient landscape. The land of 'the people of the rocks' since time immemorial when ancient aboriginal art sites were created at Arkaroo Rock and Sacred Canyon, by the Indigenous Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges. And see how settlers in the 1850's introduced imported animals and plants, changing the natural balance of the country, almost pushing the diet of the Indigenous people, endemic flora and fauna, to extinction. Take in amazing scenic vistas over landscapes of gorges, cliffs, gnarled gum trees and stony creeks, emus, kangaroos, birdlife of the Flinders Ranges National Park and see ruins of settlements left by early settlers, beaten by the incredible beautiful but harsh and unyielding country. Follow a guided walk track, for a different perspective of the geological wonders of the Flinders Ranges, or take a 4WD tour or scenic flight to view the crowning glory of the Flinders Ranges National Park, a magnificent natural amphitheatre, Wilpena Pound and perhaps be guided by descendants of the Adnyamathanh people, still reside in the Flinders Ranges to view ancient cave paintings, rock engravings and other artefacts.

Flinders Ranges (largest mountain range in South Australia, covers some 430 km from Port Pirie to Lake Callabonna, most characteristic landmark is Wilpena Pound next to Flinders Ranges National Park), Flinders Ranges National Park (world-renowned geology, history, fossil remains, Aboriginal rock art sites, and ghost town ruins of early European settlement), Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park, Melrose, Dutchman's Stern Conservation Park, Quorn, Mount Brown Conservation Park, The Heysen Trail (walking, biking or horse riding trail, hundreds of km long, commemorates Hans Heysen, famed Australian landscape artist), Mawson Trail, Wilpena Pound (awesomely beautiful landmark, vast, sickle-shaped natural amphitheatre, covers some 80 square km circled with cliffs that change colour with different lights, contains highest peak in Flinders Range, St Mary Peak 1.17km tall and historic abandoned [1902] homestead), Parachilna (Prairie Hotel serving kangaroo, emu and camel, and native Australian plants), The night sky (clear, starry, starry skies), Mt Remarkable National Park, Pichi Richi Railway (historic train, steam or diesel on a small section of original line between Port Augusta and Alice Springs heading through picturesque Pichi Richi Pass), St Mary Peak (get with spectacular views from highest point in the Flinders Ranges), Rawnsley Bluff, Wilpena Lookout, Ferntree Falls and Clem Corner, Arkaroo Rock (Aboriginal art sites), Sacred Canyon (Aboriginal art sites), The Brachina Gorge Geological Trail (20km trail off the Wilpena-Blinman road, features interpretive maps of geological history, spectacular scenery). 

Overnight Flinders Ranges

DAY 5 Flinders Ranges - Port Augusta

Take splendid scenic drives and amazing walks on the wild-side; discover awesome natural wonder, friendly country folk and historic townships, world famous wineries and rolling fertile farmlands, Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges.

Today you can see Hawker, Yourambulla Caves (Aboriginal paintings on rock, walking trail leading up to caves via Historic Reserve), Gordon, Death Rock (picturesque Aboriginal historic site, massive 7 metre tall quartzite rock), Quorn (close point to the Heysen Trail - 1200 km, longest walking track in Australia, beginning at Cape Jervis), woolshed Flat, Port Augusta (was major wool and wheat shipping depot in growing South Australia, power stations now generating third of state's electricity), Nectar Brook (Mount Remarkable and Spencer Gulf ), Mambray Creek, Port Germein, (Telowie Gorge Conservation Park), Port Pirie, Crystal Brook, Redhill, Lake View, Snowtown (of the infamous 1990's Snowtown Murders), Lochiel, Beaufort, Port Wakefield, Inkerman, Wild Horse Plains, Angle Vale, Gawler Historic Town (first country town in South Australia, historical walking trails, Church Hill State Heritage Area), Tanunda or the Barossa Wineries. Direct driving 456km (5 hours) .

Overnight Port Augusta

DAY 6 Port Augusta - McLaren Vale

Taking the Princes Highway, (National Highway A1) from the Spencer Gulf pass by Mt Remarkable, with the Spencer Gulf beside you until passing by Port Pirie continuing southbound to the lush McLaren Vale. Delight in world famous wineries and fresh local produce, play on perfect beaches or catch supper from a jetty.

See Winnowie, Nectar Brook, Mt Remarkable NP, Mambray Creek, Port Germein, pass by Port Pirie, Warnertown, Merriton, Snowtown (infamous for the 8 murdered bodies found in a barrel in an old bank; 11 persons murdered altogether in the area), Lochiel, Nantawarra, Beaufort, Port Wakefield, Wildhorse Plains, Windsor, Dublin, Lower Light Two Wells, Reynella, Morphett Valle, Christies Beach, Seaford, Old Noarlunga, Christies Beach, O'Sullivan Beach, McLaren Vale Wineries (region of vineyards, orchards and gourmet produce farms, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, famous wineries are Coriole, D'Arenberg, Hardy's Tintara, Rosemount Estate) or Port Noarlunga (family resort, nice beaches, fishing from the jetty). Direct driving 346km (4:00 hours) .

Overnight McLaren Vale

DAY 7 Discover McLaren Vale

Wander the McLaren Vale - the "vale of plenty" - with a country town feel and where the famous Shiraz vineyards of the McLaren Vale Wine Region marry with gourmet produce farms and orchards growing olives, almonds, avocados and stone fruits for the delight of the gourmand and the wannabe. Visit the welcoming cellar doors of famed wineries such as Hardy’s Tintara and Rosemount Estate and Coriole, D'Arenberg, Geoff Merrill Wines - check out Medlow Confectionary and FruChocs Showcase, McLaren Vale Olive Grove for local McLaren Vale produce. With some 60 welcoming cellar doors and many with fine dining restaurants or cafes happy to serve a local cheese platter, the McLaren Vale is ideal for learning to distinguish the structure, elegance, and complexity of wines in an atmosphere to suit the occasion. Some 50% of the annual McLaren Vale crush is Shiraz grape, with some 3,218 hectares under the Shiraz vine, with warm summers, thin soils and limited water the natural vigour of the Shiraz variety produces purple colour wine of intense flavour with lasts for years in the bottle. Other favourites of the McLaren Vale Wine Region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay Grenache, grown in the Mediterranean 4 season climate.

McLaren Vale (world renowned wine region, 60 cellar doors for tastings, gourmet restaurants, boutiques, historic, character buildings), Aldinga, Port Noarlunga, Wilunga, Victor Harbor, Port Elliot, Goolwa, Middleton (nearby coastal towns, and beaches, historic country towns and primary producers with artisan crafts and heritage culture), Chapel Hill Winery (winery in a historic stone church, views over the Onkaparinga Valley), Onkaparinga River National Park (river traversing valleys and gorges, steep gorge walks), Coriole Vineyard (cellar door in old ironstone barn, reserve wines and back vintage), Fox Creek Wines (cosy stone cottage from 1800's, lake, gardens, bi-plane sculpture), Salopian Inn (brewery door, craft beer, fruity tasting Vale Ale, restaurant).

Overnight McLaren Vale

DAY 8 McLaren Vale - Adelaide

Delight in world famous wineries and fresh local produce, play on perfect beaches or catch supper from a jetty.

Today you can see Reynella, Morphett Valle, Christies Beach, Seaford, Old Noarlunga, Christies Beach, O'Sullivan Beach, McLaren Vale Wineries (region of vineyards, orchards and gourmet produce farms, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, famous wineries are Coriole, D'Arenberg, Hardy's Tintara, Rosemount Estate) or Port Noarlunga (family resort, nice beaches, fishing from the jetty). Direct driving 40km (50 min) .
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Flinders, Clare, McLaren Vale Self-Drive

 8 Day Self-Drive Package

$ 838 *

*Starting holiday costs per person, two share, for low seasons (A$). Seasonal surcharges apply outside of low season. As prices vary based on travel dates, be flexible with dates to get the for the best deals! Vehicle Hire conditions apply (request Vehicle Hire Inclusions Sheet, also provided with Costings). Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices apply, book now.  Some governments and service operators have Covid vaccination requirements. Subject to Booking Conditions, see Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp118

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