Our guide to the best McLaren Vale accommodation

Stay in style at one of these comfortable retreats.

McLaren Vale offers a wealth of options for a perfect stay, from grand country retreats to cosy cottages, and camping under the stars. These McLaren Vale accommodation options ensure a comfortable and memorable base from which to explore the region’s wineries, restaurants and scenic highlights of one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions.

In short

For a country-style stay in the McLaren Vale, make it the Sandalwood Shearing Shed for a truly rustic – but comfortable – experience surrounded by nature.

Hotels and motels

McLaren Vale Motel and Apartments

Located in the heart of the McLaren Vale wine region, this modern accommodation offers large, comfortable, and quiet motel units alongside 12 stylish studio apartments. Guests can stroll through the award-winning gardens or take a dip in the heated pool (closed May to September), while the new outdoor kitchen and barbecue area, undercover dining, outdoor television, and fireplace provide the perfect setting for relaxation or entertaining.

Located: 267 Main Rd Main Rd, McLaren Vale

Price range: From $399 for a queen room

Serafino

Set amidst centuries-old gum trees, a peaceful lake, and sprawling lawns, this welcoming winery is as beautiful as it is convenient. With 30 self-contained rooms , including family-friendly options, spa suites, and spacious units, guests enjoy comfort and privacy just minutes from McLaren Vale’s wineries, restaurants and bars. Each room features air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, mini bar, wi-fi, parking and charging stations, with gourmet breakfast baskets available. Relax by the lake or pool, indulge at the award-winning restaurant, explore the Shiraz Trail or enjoy a wine tasting adventure.

Location: 39 Kangarilla Rd, McLaren Vale

Price range: A unit starts at $185 per night

Caravan Parks

BIG4 Port Willunga Tourist Park

Popular with South Australians on long weekends, this caravan park goes above and beyond, offering craft activities for kids and movie nights, as well as a pool, large playground, and even a jumping castle. Surrounded by bush and set back off the main road, it’s a well-equipped camping ground for families wanting to lounge around or explore the surrounding region. Powered and unpowered sites are available, along with cabins for those who prefer a bit more comfort.

Location: 22 Tuitt Road, Aldinga (Port Willunga)

Price range: Powered sites start from $32 per night; 2-bedroom villas start from $158 per night

Pink Gum Campground

Set in dappled pink gum woodland near the Onkaparinga Gorge, this bush campsite has eleven cleared sites with plenty of space for tents beside your car. A network of walking trails winds through the forest and down into the gorge, where kangaroos, koalas, echidnas and even bandicoots are often spotted at dawn.

Location: Onkaparinga River National Park

Price range: $38.50 per night

McLaren Vale Cabin & Caravan Park

Spread across 33 acres of landscaped grounds, this park offers a range of accommodation , including Superior 2- and 3-Bedroom Nature View Cottages, Standard Cabins, Pet-Friendly Cabins, Ensuite Sites, Powered Sites and Unpowered Sites. With ample space to explore, playgrounds, BBQ facilities, and shady picnic areas, it’s a versatile choice for families, couples or groups wanting to stay close to the McLaren Vale wine region.

Location: 48 Field Street, McLaren Vale

Price range: The 2-bedroom Nature View Cottage starts at $400

Holiday homes and Airbnb’s

Sandalwood Shearing Shed

Sandalwood Shearing Shed offers a lovely country escape just 10 minutes from McLaren Vale. This cosy, romantic dwelling features a comfortable queen bed, stylish interiors, reverse-cycle air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. Step out onto the deck overlooking a winter creek, perfect for outdoor dining and barbecues, or curl up by the wood fire in winter.

Guests can explore nearby cellar doors, vineyards, beaches, and restaurants, or simply enjoy walks around the property. In season, help yourself to produce from the orchard, vegetable garden, and chook pen for a true farm-to-table experience.

Location: 28 Elliott Road, The Range, Fleurieu Peninsula

Price range: From $508 for two nights

Wine Down

Expansive windows overlooking the vines, modern cottage-style interiors and neighbouring farm animals. This charming house is an idyllic haven for up to seven guests. The large outdoor deck overlooks the vines, perfect for alfresco summer meals prepared in the fully-equipped sage green kitchen, while the outdoor fire pit encourages cosy evenings outdoors.

The house is situated a five-minute drive from the iconic d’Arenberg Cube and a 10-minute drive to Willunga Farmers Market.

Location: McLaren Vale

Price range: From $1077 for two nights

Sage

This beautifully renovated two-bedroom cottage blends warm limestone walls and a soothing neutral palette to create a relaxed, secluded hideaway just minutes from McLaren Vale’s main street. Built by local stonemasons and thoughtfully restored, it’s ideal for couples, small families, bridal parties, or friends, with each bedroom featuring its own bathroom.

The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, flooded with natural light, opens onto a garden with a fire pit and redwood benches – perfect for evening wine. Guests can step straight onto the Shiraz Trail or stroll to nearby cafes, wine bars, and restaurants, making Sage a memorable and charming retreat.

Location: McLaren Vale

Price range: From $682 for two nights

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.