Wine regions don’t usually scream “bring your kids”.
But there is plenty on offer to make a trip to McLaren Vale the perfect family vacation.
Even better, a lot of family friendly activities on offer are free, like these three family friendly activities in the beautiful McLaren Vale wine region. There is even a bonus activity, which will tell you the best family friendly wineries to entertain the kids leaving mum & dad free to sample some premium local food and wine.
So what are you waiting for – let’s go kids!
Family Friendly Activity 1: Cycle the Shiraz Trail
Ride the Trail. Photo: Willunga Wino
Stretching from McLaren Vale to Willunga is the mostly flat, nice and wide, re-purposed railway line known as the Shiraz Trail.
Saddle up your bikes, ponies, rollerblades, scooters, walking boots, even your four legged, waggy tailed family members and take to the trail.
Take a picnic, make use of the water bubblers along the way, even visit some of the wineries along the way.
It’s 9km each way, but it is also easy to do small sections, and there is parking at either end in Willunga (the Rose Garden) or the McLaren Vale Visitor’s Centre.
Activity: Walking trail
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 minutes each way
Price: Free
Ride the Trail. Photo: Willunga Wino
Family Friendly Activity 2: Play at the Beach
Port Willunga Jetty. Photo: Willunga Wino
Just a 5 minute drive from McLaren Vale is the beautiful, pet friendly Port Willunga Beach.
Star of Greece have a handy kiosk for fish, chips, drinks and ice creams, as well as tables, chairs and umbrellas. There is also a large picnic shelter with a view to the left of Star of Greece.
Play in the fishing caves, marvel at the remains of the jetty, see if you can spot dolphins!
There is also a great walking track back to the ruins of the of the old police master’s house, inland form the middle of the beach (walk right from the main bitumen ramp down to the sea then take the track inland.
Follow the same track up along the cliffs for amazing views.
Activity: Beach fun, meal, walks
Difficulty: Cliff walk medium for little kids
Time: You could spend 30 mins or all day
Price: Free
Port Willunga Beach. Photo: Willunga Wino
Family Friendly Activity 3: See a Goddess
Sellick’s Beach Goddess. Photo: Willunga Wino
New to the region is a towering 18m tall, granite Buddhist goddess, gazing serenely out toward the ocean.
She is the first completed part of a new buddhist retreat, which no doubt will provide another educational opportunity for kids, and if it is like the Nan Tien Temple in my home state of NSW, may also do blessing ceremonies for children and serve healthy, tasty vegetarian meals.
Meanwhile, you can admire the towering statue on this picturesque corner of the world.
Activity: Sightseeing
Difficulty: Very easy
Time: 15 minutes
Price: Free
Sellick’s Beach Buddhist Retreat. Photo: Willunga Wino
For more family friendly fun, pick up a copy of the Winey Kids Little Explorer Activity Book.
This contains lots of fun activities for the kids to discover at some of the best wineries in McLaren Vale.
So while the kids are occupied with their activities, mum & dad can enjoy a tasting!
Pinnable Image:
I’ve spend few hours walking and I enjoyed Shiraz Trail very much! I even get lost (I know, it’s impossible, but trust me – I’m quite special in changing the impossible into the possible :P) I know Port Willunga very well because… I’ve been living there while visiting Australia!! A house was about 45 seconds from the beach, I’ve been watching almost every sunset, a few sun rises, doing my jogging, writing, reading or just enjoying the life. Ohh, I miss it so much!! I haven’t seen the goddess although I’ve been to Sellicks Beach. But I’ve seen the beautiful temple in Hong Kong 😛 Oh, you’re bringing back my memories!! I wish I could come back to McLaren 😉
We had a gorgeous Buddhist temple close to Sydney, I used to love going there to soak up the atmosphere (and the vegetarian buffet!) so I hope the one at Sellicks Beach is the same.
You’ll have to come back soon – and when you do, we must catch up for a tour of Mr Wino’s workplace and lunch somewhere lovely 🙂
Great post. I look forward to seeing more family friendly wine region activities pop up.
Naww thanks lovely.
Me too – perhaps we will both need them someday 😉
That beach looks divine. Looks like a great place to visit with the family..plus there’s wine! Thanks for linking up #snapshotstory
Thanks Holly, I look forward to linking up in future too 🙂