Heritage & History
Copper, convicts & colonial stone
The best heritage & history in Watervale
The Clare Valley wears its 19th-century history in its stone: Jesuit cellars at Sevenhill, the grand Georgian rooms of Martindale Hall, and the copper-mining heritage of nearby Burra. Self-guided heritage trails string together churches, cottages, mine sites and museums across the district.
Few regions in Australia wear their history as visibly as the Clare Valley. To the east, the copper-mining town of Burra is one of the country's most complete 19th-century mining landscapes - its self-drive Heritage Passport unlocks the Monster Mine, the creekbank miners' dugouts and the stark ruin of Redruth Gaol.
Closer to the vines, the village of Mintaro preserves one of the most intact slate-built streetscapes in the nation, with the grand Georgian mansion of Martindale Hall nearby. At Sevenhill, the Jesuit church and cellars tell the story of the Austrian priests who planted the valley's first vines in 1851.
This deep heritage is woven right through the region, so a day of wine tasting can easily fold in colonial cottages, pioneer churches and pioneering mines. Many sites are free to visit and open year-round.
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Heritage & History in Clare Valley - frequently asked questions
What is the Clare Valley known for when it comes to heritage and history?
The Clare Valley is one of the most visibly historic regions in Australia, telling its story through 19th-century stone - from German and Irish settler cottages to Jesuit cellars and copper-mining ruins. Highlights include Sevenhill Cellars, the region's oldest winery founded by Jesuit priests in 1851, the grand Georgian mansion of Martindale Hall at Mintaro, and the nationally significant copper-mining landscape at nearby Burra. Mintaro is South Australia's first heritage-listed town, its cottages built from locally quarried slate.
How do I explore the historic copper-mining sites at Burra?
The best way is the Burra Heritage Passport, a self-drive trail picked up from the Burra & Goyder Visitor Information Centre at 2 Market Square. The passport includes a key that unlocks 11 locked National Heritage-listed sites - including the Monster Mine, Morphett's Engine House and Redruth Gaol - plus a guide to historic sites along an 11 km driving route. The key is valid for up to two days, so you can spread your visit across a weekend.
Can I visit Sevenhill Cellars and its historic church?
Yes - Sevenhill Cellars, the Clare Valley's oldest winery, has a cellar door open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm, set on a tree-lined property alongside the landmark St Aloysius Church. Walking tours take in the church and its underground crypt, the historic Underground Cellar and the oldest vines in the valley. Bookings generally are not required unless your group has eight or more people.
Is Martindale Hall worth visiting, and when is it open?
Martindale Hall is a grand Georgian sandstone mansion near Mintaro, built around 1879 to 1880, and famous as a filming location for the 1975 Australian classic Picnic at Hanging Rock. It operates as a living-museum house, open most days from 10am to 4pm but closed on Tuesdays, so it is worth checking current hours before you go. Allow time to wander the surrounding heritage town of Mintaro with its slate cottages.
When is the best time to explore the Clare Valley's heritage trails on foot?
Autumn and spring are ideal, with milder temperatures that suit walking the open-air mine sites at Burra and the slate streetscapes of Mintaro and Auburn, which can be hot in summer. Many heritage sites link to the wider Riesling Trail, a 35 km sealed former railway path connecting townships like Auburn, Watervale, Sevenhill and Clare. Cooler months also make exploring the grand stone interiors and self-guided town walks more comfortable.