Weekend in McLaren Vale: Wine, Beaches & Best Things to Do
Just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is where vineyards meet the sea. Known for world-class wines, vibrant local food culture, and breathtaking coastal scenery, it’s the perfect weekend escape. Whether you’re here for the wine, the beaches, or simply to slow down, McLaren Vale always delivers.
Here’s our guide to experiencing the best of the Vale.
Friday Night: Arrive & Unwind
Check into your accommodation Friday evening — from vineyard cottages to beachside Airbnbs — and ease into the weekend. We love the Wine Farmhouse, Vale 194 and Divine Domes.
If you're in the mood for a relaxed dinner, we recommend enjoying a meal at the McLaren Vale Hotel (they often have live music on the weekends). If you're in the mood for something truly special for dinner, an experience not soon forgotten, then look no further than the Salopian Inn. Allow yourself to be swept up in a culinary journey that will not disappoint! This restaurant can book out so we highly recommend making a booking in ahead of time.
Saturday: Markets, Long Lunch & Wine Trail
Morning at Willunga Farmers Market
Start your day with a stroll through the Willunga Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning. It’s the beating heart of the local food scene, showcasing artisan breads, fresh cheeses, seasonal fruit and vegetables, small-batch honey, and handmade preserves. Grab a coffee as you wander and pick up a few treats to take home.
Lunch at Hastwell & Lightfoot
By midday, make your way to McLaren Flat to the Hastwell & Lightfoot cellar door and enjoy our Grazing Platter & Signature Wine Tasting Experience. Family-owned and operated and boutique in scale, our team’s passion for wine and food shines through in every detail.
Our long, leisurely platter lunch — voted Best in South Australia by Adelady — features delectable cheeses, olives, charcuterie, housemade chutney, and crusty bread. Each element pairs seamlessly with our small-batch, estate-grown wines: Fiano with a creamy, gooey brie, Barbera with cured meats, or Tempranillo with earthy accompaniments. In summer, relax on the wide verandah or on a picnic rug under the gums; in winter, settle in fireside on our cosy chesterfields.
Afternoon Wine Trail
After lunch, continue your wine journey with two boutique stops nearby:
Samuel’s Gorge – Housed in a rustic 1850s stone barn overlooking Onkaparinga Gorge. Their Grenache and Tempranillo are standouts, and the setting is among the most atmospheric in the Vale.
Foggo Wines – A family-run winery loved for its luscious fortifieds and playful, small-batch spirits. A delightful way to finish the afternoon on a sweet or spirited note. Just a note that this cellar door usually closes during the winter months so if it happens to be closed when you're in town, we recommend ending at Hugh Hamilton instead.
Dinner: Pizzateca
Book ahead for Pizzateca, just five minutes from Foggo Wines. Their Neapolitan-style pizzas, buzzing courtyard, and warm hospitality have earned cult status. Pair with a local Fiano or Grenache and enjoy a relaxed, festive evening.
Sunday: Brunch, Beaches & Farewell
Brunch in McLaren Vale
Ease into Sunday with brunch at one of the Vale’s favourite cafés:
Manna Café – Bright, casual, and generous, known for hearty plates and excellent pastries.
Sam I Am – Creative, modern brunch fare and seriously good coffee the locals rate.
Beach Time
After brunch, head for the coast to walk off breakfast and soak up the views:
Port Willunga – Iconic cliffs, jetty ruins, and turquoise waters — perfect for a swim or photo stop.
Aldinga Beach – Drive onto the sand, set up a picnic, and relax by the waves.
Sellicks Beach – Dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea, ideal for a scenic stroll.
Farewell
Wrap up your weekend with one last coastal walk before returning to Adelaide. With a car full of market goodies and bottles from your wine trail, you’ll be taking a little piece of McLaren Vale home with you.
Wrap-Up
A weekend in McLaren Vale blends everything South Australia does best: vibrant wine, artisan food, coastal beauty, and a warm sense of community.
At Hastwell & Lightfoot’s cellar door, our long grazing platter lunch and wine tasting experience is at the heart of that journey — a place where visitors gather to slow down, share a meal, and raise a glass. It’s the kind of lunch you’ll remember long after you’ve left the Vale.