Australia Travel Guide

Bed and Breakfast McLaren Vale South Australia

Stayz has a great variety of holiday accommodation properties in Mclaren Vale Fleurieu Peninsula, including b&b accommodation, holiday bed & breakfast properties, holiday rental houses, cottages and more.

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McLaren Vale: Where Grapes Grow by the Sea

McLaren Vale is a historic wine region in South Australia, operating since 1838. The holiday hotspot has something for Shiraz lovers just as it does for foodies and art enthusiasts. The small valley towns are bustling with cafes serving local fare, as well as galleries.

What’s more, McLaren Vale benefits from over 30 km of coastline, s0 families, surfers and snorkelers will find a spot to call their own. Beyond the beach, bushland awaits with its colourful wildflowers. Stay in shape as you cycle, walk or horse ride from the coast to the vines.

When it comes to holiday rentals in McLaren Vale, travellers can choose from modern cottages to spacious family homes, close to the sand or steps from boutique wineries.

The McLaren Vale Wine Region

McLaren Vale is known primarily for Shiraz, but you could also sample and purchase a wide range of Chardonnays and Cabernets. A number of wine tasting tours depart the towns of McLaren Vale, bringing you to several boutique wineries in a day. Lunch is often included as part of the tour.

If you’d prefer to venture off on your own, choose from 80+ cellar doors in the area, where you can stop to chat with winemakers. McLaren Vale’s wineries often serve lunch or dinner, made from local ingredients and carefully paired with the right glass of red or white. If wine is not your passion, look up McLaren Vale’s microbreweries and sign up for a beer tasting.

McLaren Vale’s Beaches

A short drive from the scenic hinterland towns will get you to the waterfront. If you’re travelling with the kids, head to family-friendly Moana Beach, which is patrolled. The foreshore’s pine trees provide shade, and there is plenty of room for a picnic after hours of swimming, surfing or snorkelling.

Bring you camera to Aldinga or Maslin Beach to snap some shots of the rugged cliffs that break up the shore. 3 km long, Maslin is a favourite spot for swimming and fishing. There is a path connecting it to neighbouring Sellicks Beach and on to Aldinga. Just beyond Aldinga Beach is a series of restaurants and cafes.

Food and Markets in McLaren Vale

An established foodie destination, McLaren Vale is home to award winning restaurants, from venues owned celebrity chefs to tiny family-run establishments. Visitors can stop in to try fresh seafood and fare composed of regional ingredients.

Foodie events take place throughout the year, such as wood oven pizza nights, tastings amidst live music and harvest luncheons. Furthermore, some farms and factories are open to the public. Watch cheese and olive oil being made, or sample some locally crafted chocolate.

Market culture is prominent in McLaren Vale. Each Saturday morning, visit the expansive Willunga Farmers Market to mingle with the area’s food producers. Seasonable markets, such as the Vale Market in Onkaparinga, also take place, where you can purchase everything from baked goods to jewelry and crafts.

Parks and Trails in McLaren Vale

One of the best ways to discover McLaren Vale is to hit its may trails. Cycle past vineyards or stroll along creeks. Venture out into the bush to try your luck at spotting wildlife, such as kangaroos and Echidna, notably around Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park. A short drive from McLaren Vale’s towns, Onkanparinga River National Park awaits, with a network of paths leading through river valleys.

The Coast to Vines Rail Trail connects the ocean and the hinterland, stretching for 32 km between Marino and Willunga. It is accessible to cyclists as well as equestrians. A shorter oceanfront path, aptly named the Coast Park Trail at Sellicks Beach, lets you take in ocean views as you walk, cycle or horse ride atop sand dunes.

McLaren Vale and the Arts

To get to know the region’s creative side, hit the Fleurieu Peninsula Arts Trail, consisting of 62 galleries and studios. Several wineries and cafes even double up as galleries. The small now of McLaren Vale itself has over 10 galleries near the main street. Towns such as Willunga and Noarlunga have a bustling arts scene, too.

Each year, McLaren Vale hosts the most prestigious contemporary art competition in Australia, the Fleurieu Art Prize, recognising emerging Australian talent. Finalists’s works are typically showcased at selected venues across McLaren Vale, including the McLaren Vale visitors’ centre.

Getting to McLaren Vale

McLaren Vale is just over a 30-minute drive from Adelaide. Travellers can also reach McLaren Vale by public transport from South Australia’s capital city, connecting in Seaford to a bus service with a final stop in Aldinga Beach.