|
Get a taste of the country life AN AUTHENTIC slice of country life.If there's one word that people use to describe the Clare Valley, it's 'authentic'.Whether you're walking through the intimate villages, cycling along a track that passes through the farmlands, or exploring the country roads and bushland, you can't help but fall for the region's natural charms. One thing that you'll notice about this rural community is that there always seems to be a festival atmosphere, just like you've stepped straight into harvest season. When you sample the local produce at a farmhouse tasting room, you may find yourself talking to the person whose name is on the label. And when you try a riesling at one of the region's award-winning wineries, you might just find yourself chatting to the winemaker, and hearing first hand about the meticulous craft that went into making it. If you're after a real taste of the country, this is the place to visit. Tradition lives on in the Clare Valley, the love of the good life stretches all the way back to a time when life was simpler. That's why you'll see members of the Jesuit order tending to grape vines, just as their predecessors did more than hundred and fifty years ago. Their winemaking techniques have changed with the times, but the passion and dedication remains. One of the best ways to experience the living traditions of the Clare Valley is to drive the Heartland Heritage Trail, a 300 kilometre drive through history. You'll see lovingly restored towns, where the region's pioneering history lives on, including Gawler, South Australia's oldest country town; Kapunda, the birthplace of Australia's copper industry; Burra, where the buildings have been lovingly maintained; and Mintaro, home to Martindale Hall - one of Australia's finest stately homes. If you think you've driven into a setting that's straight out of a movie, you're probably not mistaken. The Clare Valley is a favourite location for Australian filmmakers and television producers. Wine and food Clare Valley is a place where 'wine and food' means people. It's a region with a warm rustic flavour - and a world-beating wine-list. Writer James Halliday compares it to Tuscany (he says it makes him feel he 'belongs somehow') and wine experts regularly make the pilgrimage after vintage in March or April. But you don't need to be a connoisseur to appreciate the wine-lands. Here's where you can cycle an idyllic 25 kilometre through vineyards on the Riesling Trail, watch master vignerons at work in 150-year old cellars and enjoy festivals among the vines, entranced by everyone from master chefs to Oberon to Missy Higgins. There's a surprising range of foods that have been grown, farmed or produced in the region, from free-range chickens to chutney, carob to cod, saltbush hogget to organic lamb. You'll see it available in shops, cellar doors, farm outlets, cafes and restaurants.So grab a picnic blanket, a full basket of goodies and a bottle or two of your favourite drop and enjoy the view... Trails Don't miss the Clare Valley's Riesling Trail, named after the grape and wine variety that the region is famous for. It passes many cellar doors. South Australia's Heysen Trail also traverses the Clare Valley, offering scenic views that are well worth the hike. More to see and do Sure, there are fabulous wineries and interesting trails but the Clare Valley has a lot more for you to experience. You'll need a few days to enjoy it all. Take in a round of golf; navigate your way through a maze; see the latest works of a local artist. Make sure you visit the local visitor information centres to find out more about what this magnificent region has to offer. The staff at the centres can help you with booking accommodation and tours free of charge, and provide you with information on all the events, markets and great things you can do in the Clare Valley. Spend some time absorbing the Clare Valley ... you'll be glad you did. Getting there and around However you wish to travel, there's a service to suit. Coach operators provide a daily service to the Clare Valley from Adelaide and other regional localities. Visitors to the region often hire cars in Adelaide.For the best of Clare Valley, you might consider joining a guided tour. Local operators offer tours ranging from half-day to a week, based around a fixed or personalized itinerary. Special interest tours are available, focusing on wine and food, heritage, nature, art, and aboriginal history and culture. Operators use 4WDs, minibuses and luxury cars. Cycle hire is available within the region and since all towns within Clare Valley are easily experienced by foot, there are a large number of self-guided town and nature walks, with brochures available from the region's visitor information centres. Accommodation Whether you want to snuggle into your own cottage, mix with new friends at a caravan park, or camp beneath the stars and drink in the fresh air - Clare Valley has a wide variety of accommodation for you. Tours Some of the best holiday experiences happen when you've got a local leading the way. That's why tours were invented! Join the guides on a tour - it's one of the best ways to experience the Clare Valley. There are wildlife tours, heritage tours, adventure tours, wine and food tours - everything you need to discover first hand the delights of our part of the world. |
About Us | Our Publications | Shopping | Visa Enquiries | Information Days | Links | Advertising | Privacy Policy
© 2005 Consyl Publishing & Publicity Ltd.