Just 45 minutes from Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is a gateway for all kinds of year-round fun.
Choose from world-class wineries, picturesque townships, wild surf beaches, national parks and untouched coastal scenery.
Second Valley Heritage Walk
We highly recommends Second Valley Heritage Walk (an easy 50 minute drive from Bellevue B&B McLaren Vale) – Leonard’s Mill to the Sea.
This is a self-guided heritage walk around Second Valley and adjacent Randalsea village. Discover the history of Leonard’s Mill, a flour mill, the blacksmith shop, the sites of two saw mills before reaching the sea with the causeway and jetty.
The walk finishes on ‘the island’, the site of the 1855 wharf and later the fishing sheds, both now gone.
Colonel William Light landed south of Second Valley from ‘The Rapid’, thus naming Rapid Bay, he travelled by ship’s gig next to ‘the Second Valley’, on 8th September 1836.
Distance: 5km (return)
Allow: 2 hours
Coast to Vines: The Shiraz Trail
This 35km trail begins at the train station at Marino Rocks and follows an old railway corridor south to McLaren Vale, South Australia and Willunga.
The section from McLaren Vale to Willunga is known as the Shiraz Trail.
You can access the Shiraz trail by walking 950m from Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale
This eight-kilometre, dual use path is arguably the most scenic stretch of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail.
This section is also flatter and winds its way past vineyards, paddocks and historic disused railway stations, and there are several cellar doors along the route.
Not feeling energetic? You can walk one way and grab a bus back or take a bike instead of a hike.
Walk options:
- Full Coast to Vines Trail, 35km
- Shiraz Trail, from McLaren Vale to Willunga, 14km return
Goolwa Heritage Walk
This self-guided historical walk explores the south side of Goolwa, just 35 minutes from Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale
There is excellent interpretive signage along the Goolwa Wharf and Railway Precinct which was established in the 1840s and 1850s.
In 1856 Mr Young Bingham Hutchinson had part of his land on the south side of Goolwa subdivided as Goolwa Extension and locally known as Little Scotland.
This subdivision contained features such as small allotments, small internal courts, carriageways and a network of walkways which followed a simple Scottish design. Early cottages were of simple design with symmetrical fronts and lean-tos at the rear.
All of the historical sites are signposted with fascinating tales of the construction and use of the buildings, including Customs House, the former Police Station & Courthouse, the Post and Telegraph Office and the railway and wharf buildings.
Distance: 1.3km
Allow: 1 hour
Deep Creek waterfall hike
Winter is the perfect time of year to visit the Deep Creek Waterfall. 70 minutes from Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale
It’s generally in full flow after it rains, so keep an eye on the weather and plan your hike accordingly.
This trail was upgraded several years ago so the trail is better than it was.
Start from the car park on Tent Rock Road, at the entrance to Trig Campsite. The trail’s considered steep, and there are steps towards the end of the hike, which is something to consider before you start.
Distance: 4km (return)
Allow: 2-3 hours
KAIKI WALK, GRANITE ISLAND CIRCUIT
Only a quick and plesant 45minute drive from Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale the 1.9km walk around Granite Island is a great way for people to discover the island.
You’ll need to cross the causeway first; this can be done either by walking across, or by taking a horse-drawn tram; both options are a leisurely 15 minutes from Victor Harbor to Granite Island.
The island is well signposted.
Explore granite boulders including Umbrella Rock, the views across Encounter Bay and the Bluff are sensational, and interpretive signage along the trail offers information on the history, wildlife, and geology of the area.
• Causeway 700 metres one way
• Kaiki Walk 1.9km loop
Among the spectacular scenery and coastal views you’ll find a sculpture trail, featuring works by artists from local and international artists.
Distance: 3.3km (return)
Allow: 1-2 hours
HEYSEN TRAIL: WAITPINGA CLIFFS TO KINGS BEACH
Heysen Trail – Waitpinga Cliffs to Kings Beach is a grade 3 One way hike located in Newland Head Conservation Park (50 minutes form Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale
Enjoy a spectacular highlight of the Heysen Trail.
This 11.5km section of the Heysen Trail begins in Waitpinga Campground, and follows the coast above the Waitpinga Cliffs.
Initially following fire tracks as the trail gently climbs Ridgeway Hill, the trail leaves the fire track at the coast to follow a walking through the scrub, with cliff views.
Keep an eye out for white-bellied sea-eagles, one of a just a few breeding pairs of sea-eagles on the mainland inhabit the cliffs here.
Distance: 11.5km (one way)
Allow: 4 – 6 hours
COAST PARK TRAIL: PORT WILLUNGA TO ALDINGA BEACH
If sweeping views of the coastline make you happy, look no further than the path along the Esplanade from Port Willunga to Aldinga Beach.
Park your car at either the Star of Greece (12 minutes from Bellevue B&B Mclaren Vale or the Aldinga Beach boat ramp, and follow the path along the cliff top.
It’s dual-use so you can cycle if you prefer, or if you’d rather feel the sand between your toes you can walk along the beach the whole way instead.
There are a couple of coffee shops along the Esplanade, and with plenty of sets of stairs connecting the path with the beach you can switch between pavement and sand at any time.
Length: 8km
Allow: 2-3 hours (return)
