 Visit the Barossa Valley of SA
The Barossa Valley produces some of Australia's finest wines. You can discover the region's heritage is the many eateries and produce outlets. It's just an hours drive from Adelaide and visitors wishing to leave the driving to someone else while they do some serious wine tasting can choose from a range of touring options including the Barossa Wine Train.
The Barossa's tradition of working and playing hard owes much to the early English settlers and Lutheran pioneers who came here to escape religious persecution. They settled in the Barossa and Eden Valleys, building farms and communities. This is reflected in the food, music and wine of the region.
There are some 50 plus wineries in the Barossa Valley so the best place to start is the Barossa Wine and Visitors Centre where you will find maps and extensive local knowledge. The Barossa is renowned for its big reds that typify Australian wines, while a visit to the cellar doors in Eden Valley offers a chance to taste the crisp, dry rieslings.
Of course, its not all wine and food. While in the Barossa you can go hot air ballooning, cycling and walking. All you have to do is decide how energetic you wish to be. The Heysen Trail, which extends from Cape Jervis to Parachilna Gorge, passes through the centre of the Barossa. You can walk through Hale and Warren Conservation Parks and see native orchids and echidnas. Marked trails in the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park cover shorter distances.
From an adventurers point of view the Barossa Valley may be a lot milder than other regions in South Australia, but isn't rest and relaxation all part of the rejuvenation process?
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Visit the Clare Valley of SA
At just a little under two hours drive from Adelaide will take you into the beautiful and historic settlements of the Clare Valley. This region offers gentle green views, old stone houses and a softness in the air. Although this region is now famous for its wines, the Clare Valley was once the powerhouse of the South Australian economy. The areas around Kapunda and Burra were rich with copper and the picturesque towns of Mintaro and Auburn grew up on the copper trail.
If you are an experienced touring cyclist with an adventurous ambition, or you enjoy the ocassional leisurely cycle, then why not explore the Clare Valley by bike? Whether you bring your own bike or hire one, the Clare Valley offers great riding.
The Riesling Trail is a gentle sloping, well-constructed and easy to follow ride that runs for 27 kilometres long the former rail corridor between Auburn and Clare. This trail passes through the picturesque Clare Valley win region and there are ample opportunities to stop and sample the wines. The Riesling Trail now forms part of the Mawson Trail which is a 900 kilometre off-road cycling trail stretching from Adelaide to Blinmann in the Flinders Ranges.
Or why not challenge yourself and take a thrilling ride over the Camel Hump Range into Burra, or wind your way south to the historic mining town of Kapunda. Both towns are just a days riding and you can spend a day exploring the Riverton Trails.
There are a number of walking trails that are worth mentioning including the Heysen Trail, a 1,500 kilometre trail that runs from the Fleurieu Peninsula and passes through Kapunda, the Tothill Ranges, Burray and into the Flinders Ranges where it ends at Wilpena. The Riesling and Riverton Trails are both excellent walking paths. There are the Heritage Trails in the historic towns of Barra, Kapunda and Mintaro where you can learn about the mining history of the Yarra Valley. Over to the coast, the Samphire Discover Trail provides an excellent vantage point to view mangrove forests, samphire flats and seagrass meadows.
The Clare Valley's close proximity to Adelaide, the Barossa, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and the Murray River makes it a very accessible destination for the self-drive tourer. When planning your itinerary be sure to contact the region's visitor information centres for details of drive times, distances, drive trails plus scenic and direct routes. There are experienced tour operators who will showcase the very best the Clare Valley region has to offer.
Many of the local wineries exhibit the work of local artists, everything from pottery to painting can be found in local galleries. Visit the Jesuits at Sevenhill who have continued their wine-making uninterrupted since settlement. You can taste the local produce at cellar doors and restaurants.
Like the Barossa Valley, the pace in the Clare Valley is a both gentle and relaxing with the right amount of soft adventure to allow you to unwind and prepare for greater adventures in either the outback, down the Murray river or heading to the coast for some swimming, surfing or diving.
For more information regarding South Australia's National Parks and Conservation Parks please visit SA National Parks and Wildlife Service.
This information was compiled with the help of resources available from South Australia Tourism. Please visit their website at www.southaustralia.com for a more detailed rundown of this exciting region and others.
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