The Riesling Trail In Clare Valley: Everything You Need To Know

Discover Clare Valley’s Riesling Trail, a captivating route that weaves through scenic landscapes and connects fabulous wineries, restaurants, and cellar doors.

If you’re headed to the Clare Valley and considering the Riesling Trail, we have two words for you: DO IT! This 33km trail from Barinia to Auburn is one of the very best ways to see the beauty of the region, visiting wineries, cellar doors, restaurants and pubs long the way. You can choose to walk, run, or cycle the various sections of this old railway line, breaking up the activity with wine flights, degustation lunches and lazy afternoons in the winery gardens.

Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the Riesling Trail, including where to stay, what to eat, where to hire bikes and when to go.

How to walk the Riesling Trail

Walking the Riesling Trail is a peaceful way to soak in the gorgeous scenery of Clare Valley, while exploring the attractions this area has to offer. The full length takes around 9 hours – without including winery stops – so we recommend picking your favourite sections and treading those trails over multiple days.

The path ventures along a former railway track, so it’s largely flat and therefore suitable for both prams and wheelchairs, as well as walkers of all ages and abilities. Make sure you wear suitable shoes and bring plenty of water and sun protection – the trail can get very hot, especially in summer.

The Riesling Trail isn’t one-size-fits-all… whether you want to trace the entire distance from Barinia to Auburn (or reverse), or simply choose your favourite wineries and attractions and walk between them, there are plenty of ways to approach the trail to suit your needs and desires.

a scenic landscape of Clare Valley's Riesling Trail — It takes around nine hours to walk the Riesling Trail. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/ Adam Bruzzone)

How to ride the Riesling Trail

If you’d prefer to whizz along the Riesling Trail on two wheels, a bike is just the ticket. In our opinion, a mountain bike or e-bike is the very best way to explore the area, as you cover more ground than walking but you still get the immersive nature experience along the way.

biking around Clare Valley's Riesling Trail — Soak in the gorgeous scenery of Clare Valley. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/ Adam Bruzzone)

Less experienced riders or those travelling with young kids can stick to the central rail route which runs directly from Clare to Auburn and enjoy a relatively flat, well-maintained track that ensures a relaxing ride.

If you want to take a walk on the wild side, you have the option to explore more challenging loops that venture out in both directions and provide access to some of the smaller towns and cellar doors in the area. Note: some of these loops include road riding, so we recommend checking them out in the car before you ride, especially if you’re inexperienced riding in light traffic.

the entrance to Clare Valley's Riesling Trail — The Riesling Trail stretches 35 kilometres from Auburn to Clare and Barinia. (Image: Jonathan van der Knaap)

Where to stay

For those wanting to explore the Riesling Trail, look for accommodation that runs along the central corridor of the Clare Valley area for easy access to the cycling and walking paths. Some of our favourite options include the Stanley Grammar Country House , an old schoolhouse which has been converted into a luxe B&B, the friendly and affordable Clare Valley Caravan Park , and The Heritage Garden , which is a few minutes drive from the designated trail car park at Sevenhill.

Some other great accommodation options include the Brice Hill Country Lodge , as well as the Riesling Trail Cottages , which both offer bike hire on site.

bicycles parked outside Sevenhill Cellars — There’s a designated trail car park at Sevenhill.

When to go

The best time to walk, run or cycle the Clare Valley Riesling Trail is autumn (March-May) and spring (September – November). The summer months can be hot and busy, while some wineries and attractions are closed during winter. In autumn, you’ll enjoy a beautiful landscape of reds, golds and oranges, while the spring sees gardens in full bloom, especially the jaw-dropping yellow canola fields which are at their best in late September.

Weekends and school holiday periods bring a busier atmosphere to the region, so you can expect more attractions and events during these times.

an aerial view of Sevenhill Cellars — Rolling hills, green fields and lush vineyards abound in this fertile area. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

What to see

The Riesling Trail is popular as it connects many of the fantastic wineries, restaurants and cellar doors in the area. So you don’t bite off more than you can chew (or drink more than you can stomach!), we recommend choosing 3-4 wineries to visit each day if you’re travelling by bike.

a cyclist arriving at Skillogalee Winery — Stop by Skillogalee Winery along the trail. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

If you’re starting at Auburn, you could visit Grossett , then head along the trail to Leasingham where you have a variety of options including O’Leary Walker , Claymore , and clos Clare close by. Closer to Clare, you’ll find Tim Adams , Shut the Gate and Sevenhill , which are all worth a visit.

a cyclist exploring clos Clare — Find clos Clare in the famed Florita Vineyard of Watervale. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Along the trail, take the time to enjoy the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, which has been described as the ‘Tuscany of Australia’. Rolling hills, green fields and lush vineyards abound in this fertile area.

an aerial view of the Sevenhill Cellars — Sevenhill Cellars is set amidst the rolling vineyards and green pastures. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Where to eat

If you’re looking for great food options along the Riesling Trail, we’ve got you covered. From relaxed fine dining to takeaway eats, there are plenty of options to keep you fueled as you walk, run or cycle along the beautiful trails of Clare Valley.

two cyclists strolling along Sevenhill Cellars — Explore the wineries along the trail on two wheels. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The Watervale Hotel is a no-brainer for lunch. Close to the trail in Watervale, this charming pub serves up some of the best meals in the area, with a menu that ranges from gourmet snacks (stuffed olives, house-made sausage, charcuterie) to a multi-course degustation experience.

the act of preserving meat through smoking at Watervale Hotel — Watervale Hotel is renowned for cooking meat on their Asado-style barbecue. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Mr. Mick is another great option closer to Clare, dishing out crowd-pleasing classics like arancini and squid as well as hearty mains and Sunday pizzas. If you’re after a more elevated dining experience, try the fab restaurant at O’Leary Walker for sophisticated share plates, or take the loop out to Paulett Wines’ Bush DeVine Restaurant in Polish Hill for a top-notch long lunch.

a couple admiring the view from Paulett Wines’ Bush DeVine Restaurant in Polish Hill — Take in lush mountain views from Paulett Wines’ Bush DeVine Restaurant. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Where to hire bikes

If you’re after Riesling Trail bike hire, you’re spoilt for choice. Starting up north, we recommend Scoot the Valley , which has a wide range of bikes including speedy e-bikes, retro push bikes and everything in between. Another great option is Riesling Trail Bike Hire , which conveniently hires from four locations along the trail. Slightly further south you have Clare Valley Cycle Hire , which also has a good selection of bikes to suit all ages, abilities and preferences.

a bicycle at Skillogalee Winery — Pick a good bike that will accompany you throughout the trail. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Looking for more things to do in the area? Follow our guide on the Adelaide Hills

A town charmingly paused in time has become a hot mountain biking destination.

There’s a forest reserve full of eucalyptus and pines surrounding town – when you combine all the greenery with a main street of grand old buildings still standing from the Victorian Gold Rush, Creswick looks more period movie set than a 21st-century town.

old gold bank Victoria — Grand buildings from the Victorian gold rush. (Image: Visit Victoria)

This entire region of Victoria – the Central Goldfields – is as pretty-as-a-picture, but there’s something extra-special about Creswick. I used to live 30 minutes north; I’d drive in some evenings to cruise its main street at dusk, and pretend I was travelling back in time.

It was sleepy back then, but that’s changed. Where I used to walk through its forest, now I’m hurtling down the state’s best new mountain bike trails. There’s a 60-kilometre network of mountain bike trails – dubbed Djuwang Baring – which make Creswick the state’s hottest new mountain biking destination.

Meet Victoria’s new mountain biking capital

Creswick bike trail — This historic town has become a mountain biking hotspot.

Victoria has a habit of turning quiet country towns into mountain biking hotspots. I was there in the mid-2000s when the tiny Otways village of Forrest embarked on an ambitious plan to save itself (after the death of its timber cutting industry) courtesy of some of the world’s best mountain bike trails. A screaming success it proved to be, and soon mountain bike trails began popping up all over Victoria.

I’m no expert, so I like that a lot of Creswick’s trails are as scenic as they are challenging. I prefer intermediate trails, such as Down Martuk, with its flowing berms and a view round every corner. Everyone from outright beginners to experts can be happy here. There’s trails that take me down technical rock sections with plenty of bumps. But there’s enough on offer to appeal to day-trippers, as much as hard-core mountain-bikers.

I love that the trails empty onto that grand old main street. There’s bars still standing from the Gold Rush of the 1850s I can refuel at. Like the award-winning Farmers Arms, not to be confused with the pub sharing its name in Daylesford. It’s stood since 1857. And The American Creswick built two years later, or Odessa Wine Bar, part of Leaver’s Hotel in an 1856-built former gold exchange bank.

The Woodlands is set on a large bushland property. (Image: Vanessa Smith Photography)

Creswick is also full of great cafes and restaurants, many of them set in the same old buildings that have stood for 170 years. So whether you’re here for the rush of the trails or the calm of town life, Creswick provides.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Inside the Woodlands, a chic 1970s log cabin. (Image: Vanessa Smith Photography)

RACV Goldfields Resort is a contemporary stay with a restaurant, swimming pool and golf course. The Woodlands in nearby Lal Lal comprises a chic log cabin set on a 16-hectare property abundant in native wildlife.

Eating there

Le Peche Gourmand makes for the perfect pitstop for carb and sugar-loading.

The menu at Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel includes some Thai-inspired fare. Fuel up for your ride on baguettes and pastries from French patisserie Le Peche Gourmand . The Farmers Arms has been a much-loved local institution since 1857.

Playing there

Creswick State Forest has a variety of hiking trails, including a section of the 210-kilometre-long Goldfields Track. Miss Northcotts Garden is a quaint garden store with tea room.

The ultimate guide to the Clare Valley Riesling Trail