5 things to do near McLaren Vale, South Australia

McLaren Vale and the surrounding area is easily one of the most charming regions in all of South Australia. This wine region is located approximately 35km south of Adelaide, and is home to many gorgeous wineries, beaches and towns.

Here are five things to visit near McLaren Vale.

Primo Estate (pictured) This family owned winery is the home of JOSEPH wine and olive oil. Primo Estate produces a unique range of wines, which the owners say reflect their Italian heritage. Decades upon decades of family members have been creating these exquisite wines since Primo Grilli arrived in Australia and planted the family’s first vineyard in 1973. It's since expanded, with visitors to McLaren Vale now being treated to ‘la dolce vita, Australian style’.

Off road 4wd tour Journey through the magnificent Fleurieu Peninsula with Off Piste 4WD Tours. It’s a 40-minute drive, which leaves from central Adelaide and takes you to hard-to-reach and mostly unknown places along the peninsula. Tour itineraries take you on an adventure through the McLaren Vale wine region, the mouth of the Murray River and National Parks.

Shiraz Trail The Shiraz Trail runs from McLaren Vale to Willunga, and is part of a 35km trail which begins at Marino Rocks and continues south along an old railway corridor. The 8km Shiraz Trail is flat and very scenic, treating walkers and cyclists to a landscape of wineries and vineyards. All you need to do is go to a visitor information centre to get your hands on a map and put on your walking shoes, or alternatively hire a bike.

Aldinga Beach Aldinga Beach offers sights of fabulous cliff scenery and a long stretch of sandy coast. People travel from all over Australia to fish, surf and swim at this beautiful beach. Walk along the boardwalk to admire the landscape at sunrise or sunset. You can also go horseriding along the beach, or drive onto certain sections of the sand and relax with the family.

Port Willunga Port Willunga is home to trendy seaside restaurants and a beautiful beach. It also contains one of South Australia’s most famous shipwrecks, Star of Greece. A fierce storm caused the ship to run aground in 1888, which led to the incident becoming known as one of the state’s worst maritime disasters. Scuba divers and snorkelers now frequent the site, and at low tide you can spot the shipwreck from the jetty.

BRIANNA PIAZZA

Brianna Piazza

Brianna Piazza is an Australian television reporter and part-time travel blogger. Originally from Melbourne, she's currently living in Cairns where she works for WIN News and spends her weekends exploring the outdoors Far North Queensland.

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