This winter school holidays, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast are making family getaways easy, fun, and full of fresh air. Just a short drive from Adelaide and you’ll find yourself exploring the stunning scenery and experiencing the hospitality that makes this region of S.A one of our favourites.
For families who love a mix of adventure and relaxation, the region offers it all. Nature trails to walk or cycle and then refuel at one of the many kid-friendly cellar doors where hearty meals, outdoor games, and even nature play areas to keep everyone happy. Enjoy the amazing local food and wine or even a local gin, while the kids, are also devouring their tasty meals!
There’s also plenty happening across the region with markets and winter events offering something new each weekend. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a few nights away, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast deliver fresh air, fun, and flavours the whole family will love.
Find a Kid Friendly Cellar Door
Think a maze, playgrounds, lawn games, hill rolling, animal feeding, mini golf, treasure hunts, toys and more. There are plenty of family friendly cellar doors to check out in this region.
Here’s some of our favourite kid-friendly cellar doors along with what the kids can get up to:
- Angoves Family Winemakers, McLaren Vale – Lawn games where you can keep a watchful eye from the rear deck
- Beach Road Wines, McLaren Vale – Huge chalkboard and toy box
- The Vine Shed – This huge outdoor space set at Conte Estate, includes a huge dining space inside, along with a Mezzanine. Head outside where you willl find a bridge over a small rocky waterfall and plenty of space for the kids to run around. Also complete with a cubby, swing ser and outdoor games – bliss!
- Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale – Enjoy the playground and meet alpacas Gus and Caruso, with Gemtree sporting some of the best hills to roll down. You can also grab a kids pack for a small fee.
- J&J Wines, McLaren Vale – The kids can enjoy the large lawn area including a play area for them with games provided.
- Lazy Ballerina, Dingabledinga – Now this is the spot to relax and let the kids run around the gardens to explore, or enjoy a game of bocce area and the huge paddock with swinging rope, cubby and balls!
- Lloyd Bros – They love kids here! Enjoy the huge back lawn overlooking the vines, whiie the kids can enjoy their own “kids corner” inside. A perfect spot for a lazy arvo!
- Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale – Lose yourself in the giant conifer maze, please check in with cellar door staff before you head into the maze
- Oxenberry Farm (and wines) McLaren Vale – Great gelati and located on the Shiraz Trail ideal for walking or cycling
- Shottesbrooke Mclaren Vale – Perfect for a family day out
- Willunga Creek Wines, Willunga – 9-hole mini golf (small fee that goes to charity)
- Woodstock Wines, McLaren Flat – Wildlife sanctuary with feeding time 11.30 am daily and great pizza too
Check out the Illuminated Poles
Visist McLaren Vale township after dark from July 4 to check out the illuminated poles installment.
More info coming soon…
(image credit onkaparinganow.com)
Explore Nature Trails
Showcasing the best of our protected natural heritage, the parks in the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast are the perfect reason to get outdoors and reconnect with stunning landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and the rugged beauty of Australian native plants. Pick a hiking trail in the Onkaparinga River National Park, visit one of Adelaides newest National Parks at Glenthorne or discover native birds, plants, animals and over 50,000 trees and shrubs on the Gemtree Eco Trail.
Visit the Willunga Farmers Market
The Willunga Farmers Market has been a favourite meeting place for locals and visitors every Saturday morning. There’s a huge buzz of activity, as this vibrant market entices shoppers near and far with the promise of fresh, local produce from some of the region’s best farmers and artisan producers.
Feed Alpacas at Gemtree Wines’ Eco Trail
Enjoy the playground and meet alpacas Gus and Caruso, with Gemtree sporting some of the best hills to roll down. You can also grab a kids pack for a small fee.
Walk or cycle the scenic Shiraz Trail
The Shiraz Trail is a 8km walking and cycline track linking McLaren Vale to Willunga
This iconic trail is favourite among locals and visitors because of its mostly flat terrain and vineyard views. You can opt for a more leisurely stroll or cycle along the trail and stop off at one of the many cellar doors dotted along the trail.
Pop into the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre
A great spot to start your day/weekend/stay in McLaren Vale the Visitor Centre has all the information you need on where to visit, eat and of course sample some wine.
It also has a fabulous playground in a beautiful big open grassy space overlooking the vineyards. There’s a cafe onsite where you can grab a something to eat, a coffee or a wine and watch the kids play
Check out Fleurieu Food Festival
August 2025
Fleurieu Food Festival is a month-long celebration of the flavours, people, and places that make the Fleurieu Peninsula a foodie’s paradise.
Have a farm-fresh experience, join in on a hands-on workshop, meet the makers and taste the stories behind every bite.
Drive the Route 31 Coastal Drive
Route 31 Coastal Drive takes in the 31kms of our beautiful coastline from O’Sullivan Beach to Sellicks Beach and everywhere in between.
From holiday favourites to hidden gems this is a stunning stretch of coastline with plenty of spots to pull over and enjoy the view.
The scenic drive lets you take in the amazing seaside views together with our coastal villages, each offering their own unique vibe as well as providing a great mix of things to see, do and explore.
Download the coastal drive map here
Find your new favourite playground
Every kid, and kid at heart, loves a playground and in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast the kids are the big winners.
Whether it’s a simple park with some swings, slippery dip or other things to climb, or, a massive adventure playground with endless activities, think a kid’s delight and a parent’s salvation!
We love Jubilee Park at Port Noarlunga with it’s huge wooden fort. Wildfred Taylor Reserve at Morphett Vale for nature play. Frank Hilton Reserve at Maslin Beach for its ocean views and the picturesque Gemmel Tassie Reserve in McLaren Vale.
Visit the Fruchocs Shop
Stock up on Fruchocs for the drive home, or pick your favourite lolly and have it coated in chocolate before your eyes. You’ll find it at 203 Main Road McLaren Vale
Check out Happy Valley Reservoir
With almost 20km of trails, perfect for mixed uses including running, mountain biking, hiking (lots of it is pram friendly too!), this is a really exciting community space in the south.
But the real treat here is the Kayaking. With a number of launch points, the facilities here are fantastic, with toilets located along the 2x Chandlers Hill car parks as well as in 2x locations on the Happy Valley Drive side.
For the hikers, choose from a range of well signed tracks, from 2km loops all the way up to the 11km Shoreline Loop.
For more information visit
www.mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au
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