Unique Experiences Await near Bellevue B&B McLaren Vale
The Maxwell Maze: A Fun Local Attraction
Just down the road from Bellevue B&B McLaren Vale, visitors can experience something truly unique: The Maxwell Maze. Established in 1990, this pine tree maze has grown spectacularly over the years, offering a fun and colorful journey for both children and adults. Visitors can bring their own picnic food, but must purchase wine or beverages from Maxwell’s Cellar Door.
Gemtree Wines: Wine and Wander Experience
Immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, sustainable practices, and the pleasures of wine and food with the Gemtree Wines Wine and Wander Experience. The self-guided tour of the Gemtree Wetlands Ecotrail provides a unique opportunity to explore the natural surroundings, learn about local flora and fauna, and witness the successful restoration of the wetlands. This area’s transformation into a biodiverse ecosystem is not only stunning, but also contributes to the preservation of native wildlife and plants. The Biodynamic Hut adds an educational component, teaching guests about biodynamic grape growing and winemaking.
Down The Rabbit Hole: A Unique Cellar Door Experience
McLaren Vale Winery Down The Rabbit Hole embodies the region’s spirit of pushing boundaries and offering unique wine experiences. Its location in a bright blue double-decker bus named Lennon adds a touch of whimsy that sets it apart from traditional cellar doors. The story of the 1974 Leyland bus’s acquisition and restoration is fascinating. The owners’ decision to buy it on eBay, ship it across Australia, and transform it into a sophisticated tasting room showcases their commitment and enthusiasm for creating a memorable and unusual wine tasting experience. Down The Rabbit Hole’s relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make it an inviting destination for visitors.
A Spectacular Guan Yin Statue on the Fleurieu Peninsula
The appearance of the 18-meter-tall Guan Yin monument on the Fleurieu Peninsula beachfront at Sellicks Hill is truly spectacular. Standing since 2015, it’s the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This monument marks the beginning of a retreat that will eventually feature a pagoda, a temple, and Chinese gardens. The temple is still under construction, but for now visitors can view the gigantic goddess statue up close by visiting the site via Cactus Canyon Road.
d’Arenberg Cube: A Multi-Sensory Wine Experience
The d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale offers guests a completely immersive and one-of-a-kind experience that combines wine and gin tasting with art, sensory exploration, and architectural marvels. The Cube’s five levels showcase meticulous attention to detail and a desire to engage all of the senses. Visitors can enjoy a new and exciting experience on each floor, from the wine sensory room to the virtual fermenter and 360-degree video room. The addition of real Salvador Dali sculptures and graphic artworks enhances the entire creative experience. The Dali display has consistently proven a hit with returning visitors.
Wirra Wirra’s Playful Catapult
The appearance of a medieval siege weapon, specifically a catapult, at the Wirra Wirra Wines cellar door in McLaren Vale is undoubtedly an unusual and eye-catching feature. The late Greg Trott’s idea of using a catapult to “bomb” neighboring wineries with wine bottles adds a humorous and whimsical touch. While the plan never involved launching wine bottles, the novelty of having a catapult on the property adds to the winery’s uniqueness and appeal. The catapult was actually used to launch watermelons into an adjacent farm. Wirra Wirra commemorates this with a delicious bottle of Shiraz: “Catapult Shiraz,” which you can sample during a tasting.
McLaren Vale’s Golf Courses: A Fun Activity for All
Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the great outdoors at four beautiful golf courses in the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast region. Did you know McLaren Vale has its own 18-hole mini-golf course, McLaren Vale Natives, located on Stump Hill Road at the town’s entrance? There’s also a 9-hole course at Willunga Creek Wines on Delabole Road in Willunga. Miniature golf is a great activity for everyone; it’s inclusive, fun, and can get quite competitive!