McLaren Vale

Defined by a glorious mix of country charm and the finer things in life, the coming together of the raw and refined is what makes McLaren Vale such a pleasure to visit. It’s a rare sight to see a flourishing wine region by the sea, which, combined with excellent wines, makes a trip to this region very tempting for those who enjoy a glass or two.

The region is a remarkable producer of Shiraz, with approximately 50 per cent of all grapes grown being of this variety. Other notable red wines for the McLaren Vale are Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the white variety, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are all very palatable.

The McLaren Vale is host to a raft of boutique and family-owned vineyards — some of which have been running for generations, with vines over 100 years old.

Blessed with a phenomenal countryside that lends itself to exploring, the region is also home to a few fantastic free activities. Spend any amount of time unearthing this section of South Australia’s coastline, and you’ll soon discover that there is much to be impressed by. The following free things to see and do in the McLaren Vale will get you out and about — and will hopefully balance out the many indulgences that the region has to offer.

Now and then a beach comes along that stands out from the crowd. Port Noarlunga is a remarkable place that is hard to forget — with its sensational calcarenite reef that runs parallel to the beach. Not to be outdone, Port Noarlunga Jetty is just as impressive — which was originally constructed in 1855 as a working dock for shipping.

Port Noarlunga is an excellent place for snorkelling and scuba diving, with many people coming for that very reason. You’ll find an abundance of fish and marine life in the water — all of which is only 100 metres from the shoreline. Port Noarlunga’s jetty provides easy access; simply walk to the end of the pier and down one of the ladders, and within moments you’ll be swimming right beside the reef.

For those electing to stroll and admire the views, the jetty provides access to the marine ecosystem from above. Here, visitors can view schools of fish in clear water. Looking back to the mainland, the red-stained hillsides are another great feature — with expansive views of this rugged coastline from the jetty’s end.

To make things even more special, you could take the views to the next level by visiting at sunset as the coast faces directly west.

The best time to view the reef is at low tide when the top of the reef is exposed. At low tide, the reef is easily seen from the shore, which adds a nice touch to the scenery.

For those keen to make a day of it, the beach is a great place to stretch out and enjoy the beautiful surrounds. Here, you’ll find all the usual facilities you’d expect from a popular beach — plus many cafés, restaurants, shops and bakeries all within an easy walk.

Just a short drive away from Port Noarlunga, Maslin Beach is another diamond in the rough along South Australia’s coastline. Far enough away from the population of Adelaide, the beach rarely fills with large numbers of people, so there’s every chance you’ll be able to find your own little section of paradise. Ochre-stained cliffs line the entire section of coast here and are a standout feature, contrasting starkly against the azure waters of the St Vincent Gulf.

Take note that the southern end of Maslin Beach is ‘clothing optional’. Interestingly, it was the first legally listed nudist beach in Australia.

For everyone else, the northern end of the beach is far from the naturalist colony of the south, so you needn’t be concerned if you have kids. The views from the northern shoreline are stellar, with extensive perspectives of the sea cliffs that are staggeringly beautiful.

But a short walk up from its carpark, taking in views from the top of the cliffs is a highlight here, so be sure to spend time taking it all in from this point.

Situated adjacent to the beach, you’ll also find a large grassy field called Frank Hilton Reserve that comes complete with a great kids’ playground. While there are no shops close by, there are numerous picnic tables at this spot. Some are sheltered and set back from the views, with some unsheltered tables situated right on the cliff’s edge (it’s more of a steep hill than a cliff and kid-friendly). Should you be hungry, this is a sensational spot for a picnic with views to match.