Clare Valley to Red Banks History and Landscape Day Tour

After a brief stop for coffee and food from the famous Little Red Grape Bakery, we visit St Aloysius Church Sevenhill, Weikert Cottage and its historical cemetery, exploring the property and discussing the importance of the Jesuit, Polish and European settlers in the Clare Valley region. Note this is not a wine tour and not intended to visit the cellars, but is focused on establishing the historical basis of the region.

Driving through to Mintaro from Sevenhill, the broad vista of the Burra Hills and Tothills presents in the distance as we enter vibrant farming land. After driving through Mintaro, our journey stops at Martindale Hall, a grand historical site with intriguing history and setting of the famous film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'.

Departing Mintaro toward the Tothill Range, we will drive through dirt roads with unique Mid North geology and landscape to Robertstown. We will take an hour for lunch at the Robertstown Hotel ('the Robbie') before driving onward to World's End Gorge. As South Australia's newest National Park, this picturesque valley includes the park and Hopkins Creek Conservation Park. Central to indigenous Ngadjuri cultural, it is a beautiful and magical location to explore. We will go for a walk and discuss the area while taking in the scenery and wildlife.

From World's End we drive eastward to Red Banks Conservation Park. As we approach along dirt roads, we come to the sweeping openness of the Mallee region edges, with the spectacular Burra Hills rolling to the north. We then explore Red Banks, one of the richest megafauna sites in Australia, and culturally important site of the Ngadjuri people. We will walk the ‘Landscapes of Change’ interpretive walking trail, and the path of the diprotodons, who lived here until about 65,000 years ago.

The park conserves numerous threatened ecological communities including scented mat-rush tussock grassland and mallee box woodland, as well as the rohrlack’s bluebush. Short-beaked echidnas, southern hairy-nosed wombats, birds and reptiles are among the park’s wildlife, as well as present day descendants of megafauna, such as western grey and red kangaroos.

NOTE: Following this day trip, Trackwork can on demand organise a consecutive daytrip of Burra and Mount Bryan.

Returning to the Clare Valley with a broader appreciation of the landscape and history of the region, after plenty of fresh air and open headspace, you can look forward to a meal at one of the many quality establishments in town. We can assist you to find the ideal place to spend your evening based on your tastes and preferences. At the conclusion of the day, we can return you to the most convenient location in the area.