Clare Valley: the Riesling Trail by bike, Jesuit wine and Martindale Hall

1. Cafe 1871, Clare~30 min at the stop

A cafe on Clare's main street where locals stop for morning coffee and breakfast. After two hours in the car, grab a flat white and something for the bike.

Tip: Per Clare Valley Tourism: Mon–Fri 7am–2:30pm, Sat–Sun 7am–noon. 245a Main North Road.

↓ drive · 4 min · 1.8 km

2. Riesling Trail Bike Hire and the trail start~20 min at the stop

The hire shop sits right at the start of the Riesling Trail, a 35 km path from Clare to Auburn along an old railway line, with gentle gradients through vineyards and cellar doors.

Tip: Open 8:30am–5:30pm daily except Tuesday (by appointment). eBike A$65 half day, hybrid A$30; book online, no refund for cancellations under 24 hours. Bikes go back to where you hired them.

↓ bike · 30 min · 6.5 km

3. Sevenhill Cellars~50 min at the stop

The Clare Valley's first winery, founded by Jesuits who planted their first vines in 1851 for sacramental wine. Taste in the historic cellar, see St Aloysius Church and build a platter of local cheeses and smallgoods for the lawns.

Worth knowing: The Jesuits named the property Sevenhill after the seven hills of Rome.

Tip: Daily 10am–5pm, seated tastings until 4:30pm. Five-wine Inigo flight A$10, premium A$30, waived with a purchase. Bookings only for groups of 6+. Go easy if you're riding.

↓ bike · 20 min · 3.5 km

4. Skillogalee~1 h 30 min at the stop

A family winery in the Skilly Valley with vines first planted in 1970: seasonal menus from local produce and the estate garden, estate wines and hill views. Riesling is the signature.

Tip: Two-course Prix Fixe lunch daily 11:30am–2:30pm, 90-minute seatings; tasting menu Thu–Sun. Book ahead. While the 1850s cottage is restored (until early 2027), everything runs from the Barrel House. After lunch, about 45 minutes back to the bike hire by bike (9 km), then 25 minutes by car to Martindale Hall.

↓ drive · 1 h 10 min · 34 km

5. Martindale Hall~1 h at the stop

A Georgian-style mansion amid the paddocks near Mintaro: 32 rooms, a seven-room cellar and late-Victorian interiors, explored on a self-guided tour of the house and grounds.

Worth knowing: Edmund Bowman built it in 1879 for £30,000; it was bequeathed to the state of South Australia in 1950.

Tip: Open 10am–4pm Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday, daily in school holidays). A$15 adult, A$8 child. Closed Good Friday, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

↓ drive · 5 min · 3 km

6. Mintaro village and Reillys Wines cellar door~30 min at the stop

Mintaro is a heritage-listed township of local-slate cottages and quiet streets. The Reillys cellar door is built from that slate too, a good place to buy a bottle for home.

Tip: Reillys is open daily 10am–4pm (corner of Burra and Hill Streets), so arrive before closing. Cheese platters Tuesday and Wednesday only. About 2 hours' drive back to Adelaide.