McLaren Vale is a country area located 40 km from the capital of South Australia, Adelaide. It is one of the continent’s most famous wine regions and, from the 76 cellars, come some of the world’s finest wines. Visitors will be impressed by the passion and energy of the local community.

McLaren Vale has a typical Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are dry and warm, spring is fresh and beautiful, winter is rainy and chilly, and autumn is calm and glorious. The Vale very rarely experiences droughts or frost which makes it ideal for farming. The bulk of annual rain falls in winter when huge grey storms move in from the coast and cover the hills in clouds.

The Vale serves as the gateway to the tourist haven at Fleurieu Peninsula which offers plenty of attractions, perfect beaches, unique wildlife, natural flora, and freshly grown produce. The peninsula is a paradise for snorkelers and divers with awesome marine life, dramatic shipwrecks, and the famous Leafy Seadragon (a type of seahorse). It is also home to some of the best wine farms in the country. Three of its most notable are a rich Cabernet Sauvignon, a black Shiraz, and a full bodied Grenache.

Getting to McLaren Vale and the peninsula is easy. Using the freeway from Adelaide, a car trip takes about 40 minutes. Those who prefer a scenic drive can go via Clarendon and still arrive in less than an hour. This makes it an easy day trip, a Sunday lunch on the coast, or a perfect weekend of relaxation.

The locals are passionate about the culture, food and wine of their area. But, it’s the hospitality that they are most proud of. Stay in this area and wake up to a hearty breakfast while watching the waves roll in or the grapes ripen. Learn about local history and art and how some of the best produce in the world is grown. The locals will tell you all the best places to visit, the best galleries or museums, the best trails, and even where to get the best cup of coffee.

When visiting McLaren Vale, there are some must-do things. Take a walk through the amazing Onkaparinga Gorge early in the morning. Here you can enjoy an unspoiled environment, see wildlife, and stroll through natural bushland. Enjoy eating out at one of the many restaurants and have a couple of glasses of local wine. Chefs use the highest quality local produce to ensure that patrons are treated to a unique dining experience.

Many tourists visit during October when the Fleurieu Peninsula celebrates its culinary bounty. This is certainly not to say that you won’t get the same quality of hospitality, food, and wine at any other time of the year. Buy some fresh goodies at the Willunga Farmers Market and have a picnic.

You can pack your basket with fruits, cheeses, olives, bread, a selection of cold meats, and all sorts of other scrumptious treats, then find a shady tree. Accommodation McLaren Vale has many options that include cabins, cottages, beach houses, tourist parks, camping facilities, hotels, motels, caravan sites, apartments, and Bed and Breakfasts.

Victor Harbor is the largest town on the peninsula. It was near here in 1802 that the English explorer Matthew Flinders on HMS Investigator met the French explorer Nicolas Baudin, on Le Geographe. Flinders was exploring the South Australian Coast from the west, and Baudin was exploring from the east.

The two ships sheltered together in the bay where Victor Harbor is now found, while the captains compared notes. Flinders named the place Encounter Bay after the meeting. It is thought that neither man realized that England and France were at war at the time.

Victor Harbor is a popular destination with tourists, and it is estimated that its population trebles during the summer months. One trip taken by many visitors is the short ride by horse drawn tram to Granite Island, which is connected to the mainland by means of a short causeway. The island is the home of a colony of Fairy Penguins. They can be seen leaving every morning to hunt for fish, and returning again in the evening.

From June to September whale spotting is a popular activity at Victor Harbor. Southern Right Whales use the bay for mating and for giving birth (calving). The South Australian Whale Centre in Victor Harbor gives useful information and whale watching tips.

Fishing and surfing are also enjoyed by many visitors to Victor Harbor. There is also a heritage railway, the Cockle Train, running steam loco and other services from Victor Harbor to Goolwa.

South Australia is responsible for more than half of Australia’s wine production, and McLaren Vale is the major wine growing center of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The climate in the vale is classed as Mediterranean, with a warm, dry summer, and both droughts and frosts are uncommon due to the proximity of the sea.

Shiraz is the main grape variety produced in McLaren Vale. Other major varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Grenache. In June the region hosts the McLaren Vale Sea and Vines Festival, giving visitors the opportunity to combine great sea food, wine and live music. There are also many events of interest during Fiesta time in October, including regional food tastings, food-trade fairs, and culinary competitions. These events can be easily reached by those who are staying in Adelaide, as McLaren Vale is just 35 kilometers from the state capital.

Fleurieu Peninsula accommodation can be found to suit most budgets. There are many self catering apartment complexes in Victor Harbor. The Breeze Apartments on Flinders Parade offer a range of apartment types, including a luxury three bedroom penthouse. Cheaper accommodation can be found at some of the beachfront holiday parks and caravan parks.

If you are into surfing then you shall be able to find everything you need just to the west of the town at Boomer Beach. It is a very popular place and the conditions are pretty much ideal so it is always best to try and get there early when it is perhaps at its quietest.

However for families visiting the area you can take full advantage of the sea and the sand in and around the area known as Horseshoe Bay. It is known for being extremely safe to swim in the water here so at least you can relax a bit more while the children enjoy themselves swimming.

Port Elliot is a town which is perhaps best described as containing quaint little cafes and little fancy gift shops scattered around the main shopping areas. It does not have anywhere near the same hustle and bustle of the larger towns in the area so it does give you the sense of a much slower pace of life.

When it comes to looking for Port Elliot accommodation you do not have a huge choice with numerous hotels but what you do get is a good selection of holiday accommodation. The price you pay can vary depending on the quality you are looking for but overall the price is not too bad.

One of the best things to do when you are staying here is to spend some time walking along the many coastal paths that have been laid down. It does of course cost you absolutely nothing but it does let you take in a lot of the scenery that is right on the doorstep. It is however best to get some kind of walking guide that shows you the different places you can go and things you can encounter on your walk.

There is not going to be the widest range of cuisine available as you are not going to have food from around the world all competing in such a small town but what you shall find is that it is of a good quality in the different restaurants that do exist. The prices you pay are also pretty reasonable and if you get seafood then at least you know it is going to be pretty fresh.

When it comes to activities in the area it is going to be mostly focused on the beach and the water. As mentioned earlier, surfing is very popular but do not worry too much about surfers being in the way of your own family experiencing the water since both types do tend to stick to their own area. Aside from this it can be a very relaxing, peaceful holiday should you visit the Port Elliot area.

View of Victor Harbor from Granite Island

If your family has been searching for a vacation that will mix facts with fun, look no further than Victor Harbor, South Australia. Located approximately 80 KMs south of Adelaide, this oceanic oasis offers an environment so interesting and engaging that your children won’t even realize they’re learning! Of course, when they finally figure it out, there are a ton of other options to keep them busy while you enjoy some well-earned relaxation time. Indeed, Victor Harbor is so popular amongst the younger generation that it is the second largest Schoolies destination after the Gold Coast!

Victor Harbor is less than an hours drive from Adelaide, making it easily accessible from virtually everywhere in Australia. The city is situated on the Fleurieu Peninsula, jutting out into the ocean. With a population of only 13,000 during the offseason, this quaint little sea town offers a nice little break from city life.

The most popular spot for vacationers is Granite Island, accessible by a short tram ride from the mainland. Don’t expect to be bothered by a large engine, however. The power to get you to Granite Island is provided by a team of horses pulling the tram. There are few of these relics anywhere else in the world, so this ride is a treat unto itself. Granite Island’s most distinctive feature is its large colony of penguins. This is one of the only places on the globe that features such a colony so close to a city.

The majesty of these penguins is rivaled only by their larger brethren of the sea. Each year, thousands of whales move up from the sub-Arctic, passing within one hundred meters of the coast. There are several spots along the coast that offer excelling viewing platforms. The South Australia Whale Centre provides the science to accompany the sights.

If after a few days you’ve had enough of the wildlife, there are several opportunities for fun in the local area. Your kids will love Greenhills Adventure Park, with waterslides, rock climbing, mini-golf, and go-karting. The area around Victor Harbor also boasts some of the best surfing on the South Coast of Australia.

When your long day of sightseeing is over, bask in the comfort of one of Victor Harbor’s many quality hotels. For a more intimate getaway, several fantastic bed and breakfasts are spread throughout the city. The food is just as good: try the McCracken Country club for majestic views of the Harbor (along with excellent cuisine).

Victor Harbor has something for everyone, and it’s close enough to Adelaide to make for a quick weekend jaunt. Get intimate with nature in Victor Harbor today.