The Best Wine Regions in Australia

We’re spoilt for choice in Australia with a range of epic wine regions to visit – whether you’re a red, white, sparkling, or fortified lover, you’ll find yourself adding multiple new cellar doors to your favourites list! We’ve rounded up some of the best Aussie wine regions for you to check out on your next road trip.

^{_{Kroener Winery, photo by South Australian Tourism Commission}} 

South Australia’s Clare Valley is less than two hours' drive from Adelaide, and you'll feel right at home visiting the many charming towns that make up the picturesque region. One of the oldest wine regions in Australia, it’s best known for Riesling, but the unique terroir of the Valley also lends itself to equally exceptional shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.

With over 30 cellar doors, many of them surrounded by breathtaking views, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Don't forget to check out The Riesling Trail which stretches from Auburn to Clare and is perfect for riding your bike from winery to winery. 

Nearest G’day Park: Discovery Parks - Clare

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Only 45 minutes south of Adelaide in South Australia, McLaren Vale is a wine lover and foodie’s paradise. Best known for producing Shiraz, McLaren Vale also excels in ultra-premium Grenache and Cabernet, and due to its favourable growing conditions, is seeing a rise in the popularity of Spanish and Italian varieties such as Fiano, Vermentino, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese.

There are over 80 vineyards in the region, and most cellar doors also have food on the menu, ranging from those with gourmet restaurants, to tasty pizzas, or Instagrammable platters. 

Located on the doorstep of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the McLaren Vale region boasts stunning views wherever you look. Cycle along the nine-kilometre Shiraz Trail and soak in the stunning views of wineries, farms, gumtrees, and ocean views.

Nearest G’day Park: McLaren Vale Cabin & Caravan Park

^{_{Di Giorgio Family Wines}}

Nestled in South Australia’s south-east, the Coonawarra Wine region is a small strip of land in the heart of the Limestone Coast. Full bodied reds are the order of the region, with 90% of the grape production being red varieties and Cabernet Sauvignon being the hero of the region.

There are over 30 cellar doors all within close proximity to each other, so you can taste until your heart is content. Many of them also have great food offerings, from platters to restaurant meals, and lots of room for the kids to run around while you find your new favourite drop!

Nearest G’day Park: Pine Country Caravan Park

^{_{Lancaster Wines, photo by Tourism Australia}}

The Swan Valley wine region, only 25 minutes from Perth, boasts Western Australia’s oldest vines. First planted in 1829, it is known for producing exceptional Verdelho, Shiraz, and Cabernet, as well as specialty liqueurs.

Swan Valley is home to over 40 world class wineries, so you will be spoilt for choice of where to visit first. More than just a wine region, the Swan Valley is also home to many different growers and producers. You can visit a range of breweries, distilleries, chocolate makers, cheese makers, and other gourmet artesian goods which will satisfy even most the discerning foodie.

Nearest G’day Park: Discovery Parks – Swan Valley

^{_{Vasse Felix, photo by Tourism WA}}

In the south-western corner of WA lies the Margaret River wine region, a vibrant and popular destination well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Chardonnay. The region shares a similar climate to that of Bordeaux, with their wines displaying a distinct European style.

The region is also a gourmet food lover’s delight with locally grown olives, venison, award-winning cheeses, chocolate, organic fruit and vegetables, plus an abundance of fish and seafood caught just offshore. With numerous celebrated restaurants and chefs there is something to tempt every palate over a leisurely lunch or cosy dinner, perfectly matched to the local wines.

Nearest G’day Park: Riverview Tourist Park or Margaret River Tourist Park

One of the biggest wine regions in Australia, WA’s Great Southern stretches 100km north to south, and 150km east to west. Being the coolest wine region in WA, the main varieties produced are Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

There are more than 70 wineries spread across the region, and the distance between cellar doors means visitor numbers are often lessened, giving you the opportunity for many personal wine tastings and a good chat with the winemaker. Singlefile Wines cellar door in Denmark is a must-visit, with an impressive lineup of wines to sample plus their Coco d’Vino experience, which pairs wine and chocolate – a double win!

Nearest G’day Park: Tasman Holiday Parks - Albany or Acclaim Rose Gardens Beachside Holiday Park

^{_{Yarran Wines, photo by Unwined Riverina}}

The Riverina wine region is in southern central New South Wales and is the largest producing wine region in NSW, as well as being home to six of Australia’s top 20 largest wine companies.

Lovers of Italian varietals will revel in a visit to the Riverina! Many Italian immigrants moved to the region after the first and second world wars and began making wines they enjoyed drinking back home, and these are now a staple of the region. It is also world renowned for making exceptional dessert wines as well as Botrytis Semillon and fortified wines.

There is a huge range of cellar doors to taste your way through, from boutique cellar doors through to some of Australia’s most well-known family wineries.

Nearest G’day Park: Junee Tourist Park or Lake Talbot Tourist Park

Home to World Heritage wilderness and world-class wines, the high-altitude New England Australian wine region will give you a new perspective. With a long tradition of grape growing stretching back to the 1800s, the region has earnt international acclaim for their classic cool climate wines, especially Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the beautiful region from Topper’s Vineyard cellar door, surrounded by acres of State Forest, while you’re sampling their award-winning wines. Trek further into the region and discover spectacular views and beauty throughout the New England National Park.

Nearest G’day Park: Armidale Tourist Park

Giant Steps, photo by Tourism Victoria

Only an hour’s drive from the heart of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s coldest wine growing regions, well known for their cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You’ll revel in the stunning scenery of rolling green hills, secluded natural valleys, and towering trees as you travel between cellar doors.

Featuring a vast array of vineyards, the region produces a wide variety of wines to suit any palate, as well as being home to world-renowned distilleries, breweries, and cideries. Don’t miss a visit to the De Bortoli cellar door, where you can do a paired wine and cheese tasting or indulge at their winery restaurant.

Nearest G’day Park: Crystal Brook Tourist Park

^{_{Fowles Wine, photo by Tourism Victoria}}

Take a trip to the sprawling Goulburn Valley wine region, an area stretching from Seymour in central Victoria right up to Echuca on the Murray River. The valley features great growing conditions with mild weather, plenty of water, and sandy soils - the first vineyard was established in 1860 with exceptional wines produced ever since.

A must visit is Tahbilk Winery and Vineyard, one of the oldest in the country, having been established in 1860. Tahbilk introduced Rhône varietals such as Marsanne, Shiraz, and Rousanne to the area, and these varieties still feature prominently today.

The Goulburn Valley is also home to many prolific orchards, growing apples, pears, peaches, and other stone fruits, so keep your eyes peeled for farm gate sales of fresh produce!

Nearest G’day Park: Discovery Parks - Nagambie Lakes or Murray River Holiday Park

^{_{Pipers Brook Vineyard, photo by Jarrad Seng}}

Tasmania’s stunning Tamar Valley is the oldest wine region in the state and is a truly cool climate wine region producing exceptional quality wines reflective of Tassie’s pure soil and air. While the region makes a range of varieties from Chardonnay and Riesling to Pinot Noir, their specialty is their sparkling wines, which are considered by many to be second only to Champagne itself.

With 32 vineyards in the Tamar Valley, you can visit a range of cellar doors from those nestled in tiny old buildings to modern, purpose-built structures.

Nearest G’day Park: Discovery Parks - Hadspen