TrailHopper Tours McLaren Vale South Hop On Hop Off Tour - In Region Pick Up 11am

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A hop-on, hop-off wine day in McLaren Vale South from McLaren Vale or Adelaide: the bus leaves Adelaide at 10am and the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre at 11am, and loops past about 15 cellar doors once an hour, so you choose where to taste, where to eat and how long to stay. Nobody has to be the driver.

Days

Full day: about 5 hours from McLaren Vale, 7 from Adelaide

Age

All ages; under 5s ride free on a lap

Group size

Shared bus; you plan your own stops

Start / finish

McLaren Vale or Adelaide / McLaren Vale or Adelaide
McLaren Vale around 4:15pm, Adelaide around 5pm

Return

McLaren Vale around 4:15pm, Adelaide around 5pm

Transport

Air-conditioned 20-seat hop-on, hop-off bus

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of TrailHopper Tours McLaren Vale South Hop On Hop Off Tour - In Region Pick Up 11am

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Included experiences

Hardys Tintara — the original winery and its heritage cellar door
Oxenberry Farm — the 1840 homestead of the region's first settlers
Never Never and Storytellers — gin tasting flights
McCarthy's Orchard — ciders from the only orchard in McLaren Vale
Battle of Bosworth — tastings in an 1850s chaff shed with views to the Gulf
Down The Rabbit Hole — organic wine on lawns looking over the vines to the sea

TrailHopper Tours McLaren Vale South Hop On Hop Off Tour - In Region Pick Up 11am

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: ADELAIDE OR MCLAREN VALE

Choose your start. The city bus leaves North Terrace in Adelaide at 10am, or you can join at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre on Main Road at 11am. The centre grows its own Shiraz vines and has a cellar door, a café, an art gallery and the Storytellers gin bar. From here a 20-seat bus runs the McLaren Vale South loop, 50 to 60 minutes a lap, calling at each stop about once an hour. Everyone on board follows their own plan, so you choose where to get off and how long to stay.

LATE MORNING: TINTARA TO THE VINE SHED

The loop starts in the township at Hardys Tintara, which Thomas Hardy bought in 1876 and where the original winery still stands. Chalk Hill shares a stop with Never Never Distilling for gin and Italian street food. Oxenberry Farm, settled in 1840 and called the birthplace of the Vale, still has its first homestead. Then come Serafino, Hastwell & Lightfoot with Haselgrove, Grounded Cru, and The Vine Shed, which has a play area if the kids are along. Traditional Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet sit beside newer Sangiovese and Barbera along the way.

AFTERNOON: TOWARDS THE GULF

Later stops head south and west. McCarthy's Orchard, the only orchard in McLaren Vale, makes cider from its own apples and pears. Shadow Creek pours in a mud-brick cellar door above Turraparri Creek, then come Bec Hardy and Shirvington. Down The Rabbit Hole makes organic wine, with lawns running down past the vines towards the sea. Battle of Bosworth pours in an 1850s chaff shed with views west to Gulf St Vincent, and Pirramimma rounds out the loop. Most people manage four one-hour stops, or three with a two-hour lunch. Plan lunch early, as many kitchens close by mid-afternoon.

LATE AFTERNOON: MCLAREN VALE OR ADELAIDE

The last bus collects you from the stop where you got off, so be waiting before the time on your timetable. It finishes at the Visitor Centre around 4:15pm, and the city bus is back on North Terrace around 5pm. The bus is unlicensed, so no alcohol is allowed on board.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, 796 Main Road, McLaren Vale, or for the Adelaide city pick-up, Stamford Plaza Hotel, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide.
Departure time: 11am from McLaren Vale, or 10am from Adelaide, Thursday to Sunday. The bus then calls at each stop about once an hour; the full timetable comes with your booking.
Finishes: Back at the Visitor Centre around 4:15pm, or North Terrace, Adelaide, around 5pm.
Minimum age: Children are welcome. From 5 years they need their own seat; under 5s travel free on a parent's lap. There are no baby or booster seats, and only small folding umbrella prams fit on board.
Please note: Book ahead at the wineries you want; many need a booking and groups of 7 or more must book every venue. The bus is not licensed, so no alcohol on board, and everyone signs a duty of care agreement before boarding. No pets (assistance animals are welcome if you tell us when you book). The bus is not set up for guests with access needs.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Hat and sunscreen
Water bottle
Camera
A picnic, if you'd like to eat among the vines

What is included

Hop-on, hop-off bus on the McLaren Vale South winery circuit, all day
Collection and return at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, or return bus from Adelaide (Stamford Plaza, North Terrace) with the city pick-up
Timetable and venue guide with tasting fees, food options and kitchen hours

Not included

Wine and gin tastings, paid at each venue (most charge about $10 to $30 per person)
Lunch, drinks and food
Transport from Adelaide, unless you choose the Adelaide city pick-up

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Our second TrailHopper tour, a lovely day in McLaren Vale South visiting wineries we hadn't been to before. The information pack was handy for tasting bookings, and we'll definitely book another.

Stella Robinson Verified· Travelled 6th October 2026

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