Travelling with Kids
McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is a playground on a gigantic scale with all activities designed to ensure families aren’t short of things to do, see and enjoy. With summer here, there is so much fun to be had!
Playgrounds, beaches, animals, a maze, reefs, hiking and biking, wineries and eateries mean there are endless possibilities awaiting discovery.
To make things easier, we have developed an itinerary, tried and tested by many families. Don’t be afraid to mix and match with some of the other great suggestions below too.
Talk to the animals
At 11.30 am Friday- Sunday the winery crew from Woodstock Wildlife Sanctuary feed the property’s grey kangaroos each day. It’s a fantastic way for kids and adults to get up close and personal with eight kangaroos, plus several rescued red kangaroos, wallabies and an emu. Families can also enjoy the winery’s cellar door and Coterie Restaurant.
Ways to play the day away
Jubilee Park at Port Noarlunga is always a winner and voted one of South Australia’s best playgrounds (just ask the kids!). The adventure playground was built by the community and is an impressive collection of castles, forts, slippery dips, swings, and a ball game space. There’s plenty of seating, shelter, BBQ facilities, plus walking and cycling tracks. Don’t forget to grab a selfie with Geronimo, the life-size giraffe!
Other great playgrounds include:
- Frank Hilton Reserve, Maslin Beach
- Gemtree Wines, McLaren Flat
- Market Square, Old Noarlunga
- McLaren Flat (next door to the bakery)
- McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, McLaren Vale
- Rotary Park, Christies Beach
- Thalassa Park (including the storybook walk), Aberfoyle Park
- Wilfred Taylor Reserve - Morphett Vale
- Woodstock Wines, McLaren Flat
Find out more from our Top Playgrounds Page
Bike, scooter, skate or walk the Shiraz Trail
The picturesque Shiraz Trail is a 7 km stretch of shared path that stretches from McLaren Vale to Willunga and is part of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail. You can cycle, walk, skate, walk or run as far or as little as you like, as you meander you way through the vineyard landscape.
The McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre is a great place to start and has recently made available bikes for hire.
Fun for coastal kids
What kid doesn’t love the beach. McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is awash with some great beaches and all sorts of water-based activities, including:
- Safe swimming on patrolled beaches
- Surfing
- Reef diving
- Fishing
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Paddle boarding
- Exploring rock pools
- Discovering beach shells
Family-friendly wineries and eateries
As one of South Australia’s most popular wine regions, Many of these cellar doors offer ample space to spread out and enjoy the lush green grass including many of the wonderful cellar doors. McLaren Vale has many family-friendly wineries to explore. If they’re not playing with or on something, a kids favourite pastime is eating. Here are some great suggestions to refuel the kids so that they’ll have more energy for more exploring and discovery where kids are welcome.
