How to Spend a Rejuvenating Weekend in the Clare Valley

The Clare Valley clears your head in ways cities never manage to. A few hours among its trails, cafés and open hillsides is all the calm you need to return to work feeling rejuvenated. Here are the small, grounding moments that make a weekend in the Clare Valley feel like a proper reset.

A ‘Clarer’ State of Mind

Weekends in the Clare Valley have long been associated with Riesling. And of course, the region is shaped by vineyards and a rich history of wine making. It’s something many people visit for, and there’s certainly a great motivation to make the two hour drive here from Adelaide.

But whilst Clare Valley is all about its wine, it’s also home to old stone buildings, long country roads, sweet cafes, walking and cycling routes, conservation areas and more. Besides that, it’s also just incredibly beautiful.

Rolling vineyards meet open farmland, gum-lined trails, and hills that shift colour with the light. Clare Valley is a little unpolished and that’s why you’ll love it.

Clare Valley’s Most Grounding Moments

When you need a break that actually restores you, Clare quietly steps up. Here’s where the valley does its best rejuvenating work.

1. Riesling Trail

Early light on the Riesling Trail feels almost meditative.

Rows of vines, long stretches of gravel, and wide landscapes of quiet make every step or pedal stroke feel unpressured.

The scenery along the well-known Riesling Trail changes slowly as you go; shifting from farmland to tree-lined corridors, but always easy and calming.

And the beauty of this particular trail, is that you can stop whenever something catches your eye; whether it’s a view, a winery or a picnic bench.

Even a short section of the Riesling Trail is enough to clear your head and give you that deep-breath feeling that Clare does so well.

2. Spring Gully Conservation Park

A walk within this pocket of wilderness just outside of Clare feels like stepping into a slow yet rewarding part of the day.

Pri­or to Euro­pean set­tle­ment, the grassy wood­lands and open grass­lands (varying dramatically in colours from winter to summer) once pro­vid­ed an abun­dance of food for the Ngad­juri people. With the sound of a seasonal waterfall and bright orchids that bloom in spring, it’s hard not to let nature do its thing.

Even a quick loop has a calming effect that lingers long after you leave. Wymans Hike is a one hour return trip, with a couple of steep sections to get your heart and endorphins racing.

3. Velvet & Willow

At Velvet & Willow, the calm starts before you even step inside.

The old stone cottage, the creek nearby and the gum trees leaning over the courtyard and idyllic gardens give it a grounded, lived-in charm that feels very Clare. Coffee arrives unhurried, pastries come out warm and fresh, and the whole place feels specially designed for people who want a slower morning.

Sit outside for the breeze and the birds, or inside for that cosy cottage glow and watch a mix of locals and visitors passing through.

4. Peppers Clare Country Club 

Clare Country Club sits a couple of minutes from the town centre on White Hut Road, right beside the local golf course, which, lucky for its guests, makes for wide, open views.

Settle into a bright, spacious room that feels like a calm retreat after a day on the Riesling Trail. Some rooms come with balconies, kitchenettes or spa baths; small touches that make your stay feel personal.

Take a swim in the outdoor pool, unwind in the sauna, or enjoy dinner and a glass of local wine before heading out again on two wheels to explore the valley.

Browse accommodation options at Clare Country Club here. 

5. Red Banks Conservation Park

With its red-clay cliffs, twisting gullies and deep prehistoric colours, Red Banks Conservation Park looks like another world. It is for sure one of Clare’s most surprising landscapes, shaped by striking erosion patterns and bands of pink, brown and beige. You’d never guess the wineries were only a short drive away.

Start with a walk to embrace the atmosphere of the place. The loop track drops into a gorge carved by centuries of powerful water flow, with natural springs, pockets of bright green vegetation and even a clear waterhole a couple of metres deep. Some formations here are around 400 years old, and the area is known for Diprotodon fossil discoveries, which gives the whole walk a quiet, ancient feel.

Bring good shoes and water, take your time through the gully, and let the colours and stillness do the rest.

6. Pikes Wines – Slate Restaurant

Pikes’ estate on Polish Hill Road is already beautiful, and if you want to try some wine, you won’t go wrong here.

But Slate Restaurant gives you the best seat in the house. Big windows open onto rows of vines, the stone and timber interior keeps everything feeling calming, and the menu leans heavily on Clare produce, garden herbs and whatever is in season.

The kitchen works closely with the winery, so dishes are built with the estate’s Rieslings, Shiraz and craft beers in mind.

Lunch here is slow, generous and built for staying a while. If the weather is good, the deck lets you look straight across the valley while you eat. It’s the kind of place you plan your day around, not fit in between tastings.

More Things to Do in the Clare Valley

Visiting for a little longer? You’ll need some more Clare Valley tips.

Learn more about Clare Valley in our ultimate guide to Clare Valley.