Our most recommended things to do in McLaren Vale

South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

1. South Australia: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour

Get picked up from your accommodation in Glenelg at 9 AM or Adelaide at 9:20 – 9:30 AM for a full day of sightseeing around the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula.  Enjoy the scenic drive from Adelaide through the Adelaide Hills before arriving in the historic German village of Hanhdorf. Treat yourself to morning tea at The Haus, visit the Antique Clock Museum, or shop around in the village's boutique stores. Travel on to the old paddle steamer port of Goolwa for a stroll along the beach where the Murray River meets the sea. Make a short stopover at South Australia's greatest surfing beach before continuing on to Victor Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for whales as you pass Basham Beach during whale season.  Next, explore the seaside town of Victor Harbor where you can visit the Whale Center and Museum. Take advantage of the chance to visit Granite Island and check out the fairy penguins or ride the famous horse-drawn tram. Purchase lunch from one of the many quaint restaurants and pubs. Your last stop of the day will be McLaren Vale, one of Australia's oldest and finest olive, wine, and almond-growing regions. Taste some of the area's best wines, purchase some locally-grown, homemade delicacies before returning back to your accommodation at around 5:30 PM.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

2. Adelaide: McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour

Join this fabulous small group half-day tour (max 20 people) for a wonderful afternoon of scenery and wine tasting in the Beautiful McLaren Vale and Seaside suburb of Glenelg. Join us at Bus stop T1 in-front of the Hilton Hotel (12.30pm) and wave goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the city as we head out via the beautiful Adelaide hills towards McLaren Vale. Keep your eyes peeled on route for Kangaroo, Koala and Emus and have your taste buds primed and ready for your first sumptuous tasting at Haselgrove Wines. Savour a mixture of red and white wines as your host walks you through a structured tasting experience. There is also an option to purchase a cheese tasting plate to enjoy (at own cost). Hop back on board for the short drive to our next winery but be sure to have your camera poised for some unique photo opportunities on route. Chapel Hill winery and learn about the process of wine from grape to glass, then enjoy a selection of wines. The next wine tasting session of the day is the exquisite Chapel Hill Winery. Enjoy this beautiful and historic Chapel setting steeped in history as your host pours award winning wines for you savour. On the return trip to Adelaide, we travel along the scenic coastline and head back to the city via the beautiful bay of Glenelg. Theres time for stroll along the seafront to admire views across the open water. Choose to stay in Glenelg, grab dinner, watch the sunset and make your own way back to Adelaide at your leisure, or enjoy your 15 minute stroll, and hop back on the bus and head back to Adelaide.

Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

3. Adelaide: Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings

Full day Adelaide Highlights Join this full-day small-group tour featuring some of Adelaide's finest experiences, including Mount Lofty, 2 hours to explore the German settlement town of Hahndorf and two wine tastings in the beautiful McLaren Vale. Pickup is available from several selected locations around Adelaide CBD with tours departing 7 days a week. Your tour starts with a City Highlights tour. Enjoy our expert commentary as you get your bearings and learn about Adelaide's history. Gain some insider secrets from your tour guide, the must-dos, the places to visit, and the best restaurants at which to enjoy Adelaide's finest food. Traveling out of the city, we head through picturesque North Adelaide, scattered with stunning Federation architecture and lavish homes. Be sure to have your camera ready because the next stop is a spectacular view of Adelaide from the summit of Mount Lofty. From Mount Lofty, it's on to Hahndorf. The German settlement of Hahndorf is an absolute delight. With its abundance of boutique shops and eateries, there's plenty to explore as you enjoy 2 hours of free time to do whatever you please. Meet the bus back at Bus Stop 54 on the main street of Hahndorf. Time now to sit back and relax as we head to McLaren Vale through the picturesque Adelaide Hills. Keep your eyes peeled as you watch the countryside roll by as you may spot Kangaroos, Koalas and Emus on route. Time to prime your taste buds for your first sumptuous tasting at Haselgrove Wines. Savour a mixture of red and white wines as your host walks you through a structured tasting experience. There is also an option to purchase a cheese tasting plate to enjoy (at own cost). Hop back on board for the short drive to our next winery experience but be sure to have your camera poised for some unique photo opportunities on the way. The next wine tasting session of the day is the exquisite Chapel Hill Winery. Enjoy this beautiful and historic Chapel setting steeped in history as your host pours award winning wines for you savour. On the return trip to Adelaide, we'll travel along the scenic coastline and back to Adelaide via the beautiful seaside suburb of Glenelg. There's time for stroll along the seafront to admire views across the open water. Choose to stay in Glenelg, grab dinner, watch the sunset and make your own way back to Adelaide at your leisure, or enjoy your 15 minute stroll, and hop back on the bus and head back to Adelaide.

From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

4. From Adelaide: McLaren Vale Small Group Winery Tour

Explore the McLaren Vale wine region in the comfort of a small-group guided tour that visits five to six wineries, cellar doors, gin rooms, and/or breweries during your day trip.  Depart on a 45-minute journey to the McLaren Vale wine region in the air-conditioned comfort of a luxury Mercedes Benz. Arrive in McLaren Vale in time for the opening of wineries and underground cellars throughout the area. Enjoy the pportunity to do tastings at iconic and boutique wineries, some of which are off the beaten track, selected especially to suit your tastes.  Learn about viticulture and how to identify your favorite wine during tasting sessions with the region’s winemakers. Savor a delicious regional lunch platter, served at a local cellar, comprising of local cheeses, meats, salads, and breads. After lunch, you will continue to visit the remaining wineries, gin rooms, and breweries on the itinerary, before departing back to your accommodation at around 4:30 PM.

Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

5. Adelaide: McLaren Vale & The Cube Day Trip

Leave Adelaide and head out along the metropolitan coastline on a fascinating wine-themed day trip. Enjoy coastal views as you head to McLaren Vale, then visit a variety of wineries for guided tours and delicious tastings. Enjoy an Italian lunch with a wine-pairing experience. Then, head to d’Arenberg Cube. Nestled amongst vineyards, this 5-level “Rubiks cube” has been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses. See the Alternate Realities Museum and art installations and enjoy a formal wine tasting on Level 4, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards. Next head to Chalk Hill Wines, a family-owned winery, dedicated to making small batch, hand crafted wines of distinction. Indulge in a traditional Italian style shared lunch prepared by Cucina Di Strada, paired with four of Chalk Hill's most popular wines. Continue to Beresford Wines and choose from one of 3 tastings in their new Tasting Pavilion. Select from wine, craft beer, or spirit and gin tastings dependent on your mood. Finally, head for Wirra Wirra Vineyards, located amongst the gum trees in the historic ironstone cellars. Enjoy a tour of the cellars and a structured tasting of their range of quality wines.

From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

6. From Adelaide: Victor Harbor & Southern Highlights Day Tour

Enjoy a delightful tour of South Australia’s premier tourist region, the Fleurieu Peninsula. This tour begins with a picturesque journey through the Adelaide Hills to the historical Scottish settlement of Strathalbyn. Here you will stop for some free time and morning tea in High Street (own expense). Continue on to the paddle steamer town of Goolwa where you'll have a brief tour of the town including the wharf, barrage and beach. On your way to Victor Harbor, cruise past the charming coastal town of Port Elliot including Horseshoe Bay, and stop at Whale Lookout for a photo opportunity. Upon arrival at Victor Harbor, South Australia’s most popular seaside village, wander through the main street, sampling the fresh local product. Enjoy free time to explore Victor Harbor. Visit one of the many pubs or cafes for lunch, and following that, you may choose to explore Granite Island, where you might even catch a glimpse of a Southern Right Whale during the winter months. Your tour then continues through the wine-making region of McLaren Vale, best known for producing outstanding Shiraz, and you'll enjoy a scenic drive through South Australia’s southern metropolitan beaches of Port Noarlunga and Moana before returning to Adelaide.

McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

7. McLaren Vale Winery Experience - Small Group Tour

The tour departs the city and heads towards Glenelg taking the coastal route to the Fleurieu Peninsular. You will head down the beautiful mid south coast, with its glistening visas of the Gulf St Vincent, and pristine award winning beaches before your arrival at the first legendary cellar door. McLaren Vale's beautiful wineries are steeped in history with friendly knowledgeable staff, happy to guide you through each wine tasting experience.   A sumptuous lunch awaits you at the Winery Restaurant, with vegetarian options available.    Drive though the ‘Vale’ to visit two more cellar doors, passing rolling vistas of vineyards along the way before returning back to Adelaide.  

Hills to the Seaside: Full-Day Hahndorf & Victor Harbor Tour

8. Hills to the Seaside: Full-Day Hahndorf & Victor Harbor Tour

Experience a scenic journey from the picturesque Adelaide Hills to the seaside on our Full-Day Hahndorf & Victor Harbor Tour. Departing Adelaide at 9.00am, this tour takes you on a scenic adventure, visiting charming towns and iconic landmarks along the way. Indulge in a delightful lunch, explore the coastal wonders of Victor Harbor, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Adelaide Hills. Our Full-Day Tour Includes: - Depart from Adelaide in a comfortable bus at 9.00am for a full-day tour. - Visit Hahndorf for morning tea and exploration. - Visit the coastal town of Goolwa where the Murray River meets the sea. - Pass by Middleton Beach and Port Elliot for stunning coastal views. - Enjoy a delicious lunch at the original fish and chip shop in Victor Harbor. - Take a leisurely walk around Victor Harbor and Granite Island. - If time permits, we will be able to pass through McLaren Vale. - Small group setting, maximum capacity of 11 passengers, ensuring an intimate and personalised experience.

Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

9. Mclaren Vale Hills Vines and Wines Bike Tour from Adelaide

You will be picked up in central Adelaide and transported to Kuitpo Forest, a beautiful spot above the McLaren Vale wine region. You will be provided with a good quality mountain bike with front suspension & disc brakes, and a helmet if you do not have your own. Set off to explore the forest. Kangaroos and koalas can regularly be seen on the ride. Next is a lovely descent down Willunga Hill towards McLaren Vale, and then it’s time for wine tasting. Then ride through the vineyards and stop at a number of local wineries to sample their fare and perhaps purchase some wine to take home with you. Stop for a lunch comprising of a local produce platter along the way.  In the afternoon leave it to the group to decide your final visits- maybe a micro-brewery, another winery, a cafe/chocolate stop for a little desert, or if it’s really warm maybe a swim stop at one of the beautiful beaches that fringe the Vale. Finally, you will be picked up and transported back to Adelaide.  The ride is fairly leisurely and is suitable for anyone who is happy riding a bike on firetracks and country roads. The van can also pick up your wine purchases along the way so you don't have to carry them.

d'Arenberg: The Blending Bench Experience

10. d'Arenberg: The Blending Bench Experience

The Blending Bench is a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker. A palette of wine parcels, each with distinctive flavors and textures, are melded in search of balance, fullness and finesse. The tour operators have done the physical work – picking, crushing, fermenting, foot treading, basket pressing and barrel ageing, so that you get to create a wine that is truly unique. You then bottle, name and label a 750ml sample to take home and show off to your friends! Afterwards explore the grounds of the renowned D'Arenberg Winery, taking in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale.

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What people are saying about McLaren Vale

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 314 reviews

We had the luxury of a limousine and our own driver, which meant we could tailor the excursion to our interests. The driver was most accomodating and we saw some of the coast that wasn't included in the itinerary. We weren't really interested in going to a wine museum or a chocolate factory. We had booked the tour because it also went to Hahndorf and Victor Harbour. We did feel that the driver lacked some local information about the places we saw but that didn't detract from the overall experience.

Tour guide was really informative and very passionate about Adelaide so it was great to listen to his enthusiasm! Hahndorf was a lovely town to visit and the wine tastings were amazing. A lot was packed into one day, but I feel we still had a good amount of time in each place

Pooja was very friendly and informative. She was prompt with pick up. The tour consisted of a small group which we enjoyed. We visited a number of different places throughout the day. Definitely value for money.

Fantastic day out! Craig was so knowledgeable and personable. We got so much in for one day, all around the city, Hahndorf, 2 wineries, and the beaches. Definitely recommend this tour.

Great guide. Tasted some incredible wines. Beautiful scenery in the valley and along the coast.