Family Activities
Mazes, mines & open spaces
The best family activities in Clare Valley
There's plenty to keep younger explorers busy between cellar doors - the Mintaro Maze, the open-air history of Burra's mine sites, easy stretches of the Riesling Trail for little legs, playgrounds and showgrounds, and farm stays with room to roam.
The Clare Valley is more family-friendly than its wine reputation suggests, with plenty to keep children busy between the cellar doors. The classic kids' outing is the Mintaro Maze, a leafy hedge maze and gardens in the heart of the historic slate village of Mintaro - easy to combine with a picnic.
The flat, traffic-free Riesling Trail is ideal for family cycling, with bike hire available and gentle distances between towns; its Rattler Trail extension to Auburn adds more easy riding. Older kids fascinated by history will enjoy exploring Burra, where the Monster Mine and self-drive Heritage Passport bring the copper-mining era to life.
For free outdoor play, the region's nature reserves and lookouts offer space to run, spot kangaroos and picnic. Many eateries and stays around Clare welcome families, making the valley an easy, relaxed destination for a weekend with children.
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23 places
Auburn Shiraz Trail Trailhead
The southern gateway to the Riesling Trail, where the Shiraz Trail begins in historic Auburn.
Blyth Cinema
A volunteer-run picture house in a heritage-listed lodge.
Since 2005, the little town of Blyth has run its own cinema inside a heritage-listed former Masonic lodge, screening new releases with proper Dolby sound and country hospitality.
Bon Accord Mine Museum
$A Burra museum telling the story of the town's water and mining history on a former mine site.
Brooks Lookout
A big-sky panorama over the Wakefield Plains, west of Clare.
Perched on the western scarp of the Clare hills, Brooks Lookout opens onto a vast panorama across the Blyth and Wakefield Plains, reaching toward Yorke Peninsula on a clear day.
Burra Heritage Passport
A self-guided trail unlocking eight historic copper-mining sites across Burra, including the mine, gaol and creek dugouts.
C.J. Dennis Memorial
Auburn's tribute to the laureate of the larrikin.
A blue granite drinking fountain in Auburn honours C.J. Dennis, author of The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke, who was born in the town in 1876.
Clare Aquatic Centre
A community swimming centre to cool off on hot valley days.
Clare Caravan Park
A holiday park just south of Clare offering cabins and powered sites near the Riesling Trail.
Clare Showground
Clare's events hub and showground, host to the annual show, markets, the Gourmet Weekend hub and community gatherings.
Clare Valley Farmers' Market
A monthly gathering of local growers, bakers and producers at the Clare Showground - the best place to taste the valley beyond the wine.
Cogwebs Hub Cafe & Bike Hire
Coffee, homemade food and bikes where two rail trails meet.
At the southern end of the Riesling Trail, Cogwebs combines a cafe serving locally roasted coffee with bike hire for both the Riesling and Rattler rail trails.
Gleeson Wetlands
A restored wetland with boardwalks and birdlife in the heart of Clare.
Inchiquin Lake
A tranquil reservoir and picnic spot on the edge of Clare township.
Martindale Hall
A grand 1880 Georgian manor near Mintaro, a film and TV icon known for Picnic at Hanging Rock, open for tours.
Mintaro Maze
A classic hedge maze and gardens in the slate village of Mintaro - a favourite stop for families exploring the valley.
Mostly Books Auburn
A characterful independent bookshop in heritage Auburn, a much-loved browsing stop near the start of the Riesling Trail.
Old Police Station & Courthouse Museum
Clare's first public building, now a National Trust museum.
Built in 1850 as Clare's first police station and courthouse, this stone building on the corner of Neagles Rock Road and Victoria Road now houses the town's National Trust museum.
Polish Hill River Church Museum
The 1871 church of Australia's first Polish settlers.
The stone church of St Stanislaus Kostka, consecrated in 1871 by Australia's first Polish community, now houses a museum telling the story of Polish settlement in South Australia.
Rattler Trail
A 19 km rail trail from Auburn to Riverton continuing south from the Riesling Trail through farmland and bushland.
Riesling Trail
A 35 km walking and cycling trail along the old Clare-to-Auburn railway, linking towns, vineyards and cellar doors.
Riesling Trail Bike Hire
Two wheels for the valley's most famous trail.
Clare's long-running bike hire outfit kits riders out with everything from e-bikes to tandems, tagalongs and kiddie carriers for a day on the Riesling Trail.
The Little Red Grape Bakery
Award-winning pies in an 1849 building at Sevenhill.
Sevenhill's much-loved bakery turns out nationally awarded pies and sausage rolls from an 1849 building on Main North Road, with grassy grounds to enjoy them on.
Watervale Bakery
$A much-loved village bakery on the Riesling Trail, fuelling cyclists with pies and pastries.
Family Activities in Clare Valley - frequently asked questions
What family activities is the Clare Valley known for?
Though it is famous for Riesling, the Clare Valley has plenty for younger explorers between the cellar doors. The best known outings are the Mintaro Maze, a living hedge maze and gardens in the slate village of Mintaro, the open-air history of Burra's old mine sites, and easy, flat stretches of the Riesling Trail that suit little legs. Add in playgrounds, model train rides and farm stays and there is enough to fill a family weekend.
Is the Riesling Trail suitable for young children?
Yes - the Riesling Trail follows an old railway corridor, so it is flat, well graded and almost entirely traffic free, which makes it ideal for kids on bikes or scooters. It runs roughly 35 kilometres between Auburn and Clare, but you do not need to ride the whole thing; pick a short section between villages and turn back when little legs tire. Bike hire, including kids' bikes and trailers, is available at spots such as Clare, Auburn and the Clare Caravan Park, and the trail is free to use.
Can families explore Burra's historic mine sites?
They can, and it is one of the region's most hands-on history outings for kids. The Burra Heritage Passport is a self-guided drive with a key that unlocks a series of locked National Heritage sites, including the open-cut Burra Mine, Morphett's Engine House, the old Redruth Gaol and the underground Unicorn Brewery cellars. The passport is bought from the Burra visitor centre, children are free, the key is valid for two days and dogs are welcome along the trail.
Where can kids swim or burn off energy in the Clare Valley?
The Clare Aquatic Centre and seasonal outdoor pools at towns such as Burra and Riverton open over the warmer months for a swim. For playtime, Richardson Park playspace at Sevenhill sits right beside the Riesling Trail with slides, climbing frames and a flying fox, and there are model train rides alongside Lake Inchiquin in Clare. Many cellar doors also lay on lawn games and kids' menus, so parents can sample a wine while children roam.
When is the best time of year to visit the Clare Valley with children?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for outdoor family activities, with mild days that suit the Riesling Trail, the Burra mine walk and picnics without the peak summer heat. South Australian school holidays are a good window too, as attractions tend to keep their longest hours then. Summer can be hot for cycling and the open mine sites, so plan rides for the cooler morning and save the afternoon for a pool or shaded cellar door garden.