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Featured Image: McLaren Vale Vineyards
Breadtag Sagas ©: Author Tony, 1 April 2022
Postcard from McLaren Vale
Other Postcards are from: Boudhanath Stupa, Dubai, Vienna, Rock of Cashel, Lake Tabourie, Tongariro Crossing and Tupare Garden.
Australian outsiders often don’t think of South Australia. But, South Australia is an amazing tourist destination.
We came to McLaren Vale to house-sit a vineyard, a dog and two horses in early May for 5 weeks in 2021 between Covid lockdowns. We have a big family reunion over Easter in 2022 and have returned to house-sit the same place for around 5 weeks from 24 March to near the end of April in 2022.
McLaren Vale
45 minutes south of the city of Adelaide. The McLaren Vale wine area is a unique protected region just south of the Adelaide suburbs. With the Onkaparinka Gorge and surrounding rural area on the north, the beaches of Port Noarlaunga, Maslin’s, Willunga and Aldinga to the west, the Adelaide hills or Mount Lofty Ranges to the east and the rest of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the south (Victor Harbour and Goolwa/Coorong about 40 minutes away), McLaren Vale is an idyllic gem of sustainable vineyards and native bush.
The size of McLaren Vale is slightly variable the official size is 59 sq km but doesn’t include Willunga. My estimate is about 75 sq km or 7500 hectares. McLaren Vale is small by comparison with other wine areas. The Barossa, for example is 912 sq km. Hence McLaren Vale is very manageable for visitors.
There are three towns McLaren Vale (a moderate-sized, apparently rural community), Willunga (a more bohemian or hippy style town) and McLaren Flat (a small community surrounded by vineyards).
John Reynell and Thomas Hardy planted grape vines in 1838 and the Seaview and Hardy wineries were in operation as early as 1850.
We love the area for birdwatching, beaches, walking and general outdoor activities. We also like birding and walking at Onkaparinka Gorge, the Aldinga Scrub, Gemtree wetlands eco trail and the Onkaparinka River wetlands park near port Noarlunga.
The Shiraz Trail starting at McLaren Vale town for cycling or walking is 8 km each way and passes many vineyards and wineries. There are many markets in the region but the Willunga Farmer’s Market every Saturday is exceptional and well worth a visit.
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