Auburn – Trails, Wine and History

Auburn brings together trails through vineyards and farms, historic sites, a diverse garden and wine experiences. The Riesling Trail and the Rattler Trail both start in Auburn, but follow different routes. There is also a self-guided Wine Walk and places to explore history, art and culture. When choosing your holiday accommodation, you can decide whether you’d mainly like to explore Auburn on foot or by bike, learn about its history, or focus on wine and dining.

Trails for Different Ways to Explore

The Riesling Trail starts in Auburn and runs for 35 kilometres to Clare and on to Barinia. It’s suitable for walking, mountain bikes and touring bikes, as well as wheelchairs and prams. Bikes can be hired for the trail in Auburn and Clare. These options give different travellers a starting point for planning their day, without implying any particular walking or cycling time.

Another option is the 19-kilometre Rattler Trail. It starts in Auburn near Mount Horrocks Wine and passes vineyards, farms and attractions. The two routes differ in length and in the sights mentioned along the way: vineyards and farms define the Rattler Trail, while the Riesling Trail continues beyond Clare to Barinia. If you like to make your days active, this information can help you choose a route.

History and Culture in Auburn

The National Trust brochure “Walk With History at Auburn” includes a map and lists 24 historically significant sites in Auburn. The Court House and Police Station Museum comprises National Trust buildings that were used to present the region’s history. Auburn therefore offers various ways to explore the history of the town and region.

At the Henry Wylie Heritage Garden, garden features meet a heritage-listed building commissioned by Henry Wylie in 1855. The garden combines ornamental and fruit trees, a wide variety of smaller trees and shrubs, winding paths, a stone-lined stream and birdlife. Those interested in gardens will find different sights here than on a visit to historic buildings.

The C.J. Dennis Memorial also commemorates someone with a connection to Auburn: poet C.J. Dennis was born there in 1876. The fountain in his honour is made of blue granite. Patina & Bloom Gallery and Gifts showcases work by more than 20 South Australian artists, from the region and beyond. The heritage-listed Hats Auburn Courthouse Cultural Centre provides another cultural focus, with live music, theatre, puppetry and performances for children.

Wine, Tastings and a Self-Guided Walk

The Auburn Wine Walk brings together several interests in one self-guided walk: you can sample Clare Valley wines, visit dining venues and explore Auburn’s historic streets.

For wine tastings, Wines by KT operates a cellar door in Auburn that’s open from Thursday to Monday. Koonowla Cellar Door offers wine tastings, as well as wine and platters in an outdoor setting. It’s open on weekends unless closed for weddings or private events. These options add specific experiences to the Wine Walk that you can take into account when planning your trip.

Whether you prefer longer trails, historic discoveries, gardens and art, or wine experiences, Auburn offers several different themes for your stay. A holiday apartment or house in Auburn is a fitting search option if you want to plan your trip around the trails and experiences described here. More places to discover: Mintaro, Clare, Watervale, Penwortham.

For the broader travel overview: Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.