Visiting a cellar door in the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast region is a great family day out. Many wineries are welcoming children to create their own experiences while the adults relax and sample the tastiest things the region has to offer. As a top tip, it’s best to book in advance.
The McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, located at the gateway to the region, is a great place to make your first stop. Open seven days a week, the staff at the centre share their knowledge about the hidden gems in the local area, helping you plan your family-friendly adventure. While you’re there, enjoy a refreshment in the café, start your tasting journey at the cellar door, and let the kids explore the nature play area and playground.
From the simple joy of rolling down a grassy hill, to feeding the resident animals, or navigating a giant maze, there’s something to suit every family. Here’s just a sip.
At Angove Family Winemakers’ cellar door, relax on the deck while you watch the kids play games on the lawn. Choose from a range of tasting experiences, including traditional and alternative styles, organic wines, and brandy. Match your wine flight with specially selected cheese or chocolate for a truly delicious experience.
Kids of all ages will love exploring the hedge maze at the bottom of the vineyard at Maxwell. A fee of $5 per person applies. Make an appointment with the winery for groups of eight or more guests. Check in with cellar door staff before you begin your quest to pay for your group. While you’re in the cellar door, sample Maxwell’s mead or wine and choose a bottle to savour with a picnic in the grounds located close to the maze. Families are welcome to bring their own picnic fare, or there are fantastic gourmet packages available to order in advance from the winery.
Over at Woodstock Wine Estate, the wildlife sanctuary is sure to delight. A large area of natural scrubland has been dedicated to providing a safe home for wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, and an emu named Maverick. Woodstock staff invite visitors to join them for a supervised feeding of grey kangaroos and some wallabies at 11.30am daily. Tickets cost $5 per person, with children aged less than 12 months admitted free. As the feedings are typically limited to 25 participants, it’s best to book your spot early for weekends and during school holidays. Children under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. All proceeds help pay for feed, maintenance and upgrades to the sanctuary.
Woodstock’s cellar door is open seven days a week from 11am to 4pm for tastings and wine sales. Cheese and nibble plates are available for people looking for something to eat and the restaurant is open from Friday to Sunday. A lush lawn area and a playground will also keep the kids entertained.
At Gemtree Wines, the eco-trail is free and open to the public every day. About one kilometre long, it’s an easy self-guided 20-minute wander for both big and little legs. Along the way, you’ll see the ever-growing biodiversity of Gemtree Wines’ property. The site is planted with more than 50,000 native trees and shrubs, and is home to native birds and animals. Have a chat with the tasting room staff when you arrive, who’ll point you in the direction of the eco-trail. Pick up a takeaway picnic pack and a bottle of Gemtree wine to enjoy in a scenic spot along the way.
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For more family-friendly inspiration visit mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au/plan/travelling-with-kids