Adelaide, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale: Wine Tasting Day Tour

Summary

City sights, German village charm and McLaren Vale wine on a relaxed Adelaide day trip

You’ll taste local wines in McLaren Vale, wander Hahndorf’s main street with its German bakeries, catch city views from Mount Lofty and finish by Adelaide’s coast. With hotel pickup and a small group led by a local guide, this day trip lets you slow down and really feel each stop along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a flat white before I even realize we’re moving — our guide, Mark, just grins and points out the old stone facades as we roll through North Terrace. There’s this soft morning light bouncing off the sandstone, and for a second I forget I’m supposed to be listening. He tells us about Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga), how it’s been a meeting place long before the British named it. The city feels calm but busy in that way only locals really notice.

Up at Mount Lofty, my ears pop a little from the climb. The wind is sharp but not cold, and you can smell eucalyptus everywhere. Mark jokes about “Adelaide’s best selfie spot” but he isn’t wrong — the view stretches all the way to the Gulf. Someone asks if we’ll see kangaroos; he just shrugs and says “maybe on the way to McLaren Vale.” We get back on the bus and suddenly Hahndorf appears, all timber beams and bakery smells. I try saying “bienenstich” at one of the cake shops (Li laughed when I tried to say it in German — probably butchered it). There’s time here to wander or just sit with a coffee watching people drift past in no rush at all.

The drive into McLaren Vale is green and rolling, vineyards everywhere. At Chapel Hill Winery they pour us reds that taste like summer afternoons — there’s this earthy smell in the cellar door that reminds me of old wood and something sweet I can’t quite name. Later at Haselgrove Wines, things get quieter; our group spreads out over cheeseboards and someone asks about shipping bottles home. It feels casual, not rushed — nobody hurrying us along.

On the way back we swing down toward Glenelg, windows open so you can hear gulls before you even see water. There’s an option to hop off here for sunset or ride back into Adelaide with everyone else. I stayed for fifteen minutes, shoes off in the sand for just long enough to wish I’d planned dinner by the sea instead of heading straight back — you know how sometimes you only realize what you want when you’re almost leaving? Still think about that last bit of sun on my feet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Adelaide city, Hahndorf, McLaren Vale, Glenelg

• Visit North Terrace Museum and Art Gallery
• See Victoria Square in Adelaide
• Enjoy panoramic view from Mt. Lofty Summit
• Drive scenic Onkaparinga Hills route
• Explore Hahndorf township for 90 minutes
• Wine tasting at Chapel Hill Winery
• Free time on McLaren Vale Main Street
• Wine tasting at Shingleback Winery
• Scenic drive along Adelaide coastline
• 15-minute stroll in Glenelg seaside suburb
• Option to stay in Glenelg for sunset

Top questions

How long does this Adelaide wine tasting tour last?

This is a full-day tour with several stops including Hahndorf, McLaren Vale wineries, Mount Lofty lookout, and Glenelg.

Is hotel pickup included for this Adelaide day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for guests staying in central Adelaide.

Which wineries do we visit in McLaren Vale?

The tour includes tastings at Chapel Hill Winery and Haselgrove Wines in McLaren Vale.

Can I stay longer at Glenelg after the tour?

Yes, you can choose to leave the tour at Glenelg beach and return to Adelaide later on your own by tram.

How much free time do we get in Hahndorf?

You’ll have around 1.5 to 2 hours of free time to explore Hahndorf township during the tour.

Are children allowed on this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What is included in this small group Adelaide highlights tour?

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation between all stops, guided sightseeing throughout Adelaide city highlights plus Mount Lofty lookout, free time in Hahndorf village, structured wine tastings at two McLaren Vale wineries (Chapel Hill & Haselgrove), scenic drive along the coastline with an optional stop at Glenelg beach before returning to central Adelaide.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Adelaide locations plus drop-off at your original point or Glenelg if you choose; guided sightseeing through city highlights like North Terrace and Victoria Square; panoramic views from Mount Lofty; plenty of free time to explore Hahndorf village; structured tastings at two top McLaren Vale wineries; coastal drive with an optional beach stop before heading back into town together or solo if you want more seaside time.