Monday 29 February 2016

Clare, South Australia


Clare, South Australia.
We stayed in Clare for one night at the Caravan Park.
The map of where Clare is, is on the previous post.

The town itself was established in 1842 by Edward Burton Gleeson, and named after his ancestral home of County Clare in Ireland.
The layout of the town's road system was apparently designed by a draughtsman in Adelaide, without any knowledge of the local geography. There are several roads in Clare that end abruptly at a cliff face, only to continue again at the top of the cliff.
 
As one of the larger towns in the region, Clare is an administrative and service centre for the surrounding area. It has two supermarkets, many other specialty stores, two public and two private schools, three hotels, two motels, a caravan park and showground.
Clare has become recognised for its 'experiences', including the Riesling Trail walking and cycling route from 9 km north of Clare to Auburn (25 km), on the former railway alignment, so named as it weaves past vinyards and wineries, and continuing to Riverton as the Rattler Trail. The Clare Valley wine region continues within the same line of hills as the famous Barossa Valley, and also produces some excellent wine.
Wikipedia

A few facts regarding The Clare Valley.
The Clare Valley Wine Makers were the first in Australia to invent the screw cap closure for Riesling bottles.
27% of South Australia's high quality grain is produced in the MidNorth region.
The Reilsing Trail was originally part of the railway line, which ran between Riverton to Spalding, but was abandoned after the 1983 Ash Wednesday Bushfires.
The Clare Valley is home to the only remaining Jesuit-owned winery in Australia, Sevenhill Cellars, which to this day, produces sacramental wine for religious ceremony.





One of the many Vineyards on the way to Clare


Clare Hotel


The Clare Courthouse


The Town Hall


ANZ Bank

45 comments:

  1. Clare it has unique architecture the buildings look so massive but nice.I think you were there in winter or autumn..

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    1. We were there in winter last year.
      The buildings are impressive.

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  2. Very impressive and solid looking buildings. I would love to visit a vineyard one day.

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    1. There are plenty of vineyards in many areas of Australia and also here in Launceston and surrounding areas.

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  3. I had no idea about the Jesuit-owned winery. I suppose I had never thought about sacremental wine. I wonder whether that is all they make.
    Clare does look a really inviting town (even without the added temptation of wine).

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    1. That winery is just out of town off the highway. Wine is available to buy for all. It is a nice clean country town.

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  4. I would love to tour the wineries... One of the things I enjoy most about your posts is a look at the style of buildings.

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    1. Always good for me to see other countries buildings too. Enjoy it myself and to see the scenery.
      Haven't yet been on a tour of a winery and we have plenty of them here in Tasmania.

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  5. The town of Clare is far busier and bustling than is shown from these photos. God only knows when Margaret took these photos??

    1. The Sevenhills vinery grows top quality wines as well as sacramental wines for the churches. Sevenhills wines has an excellent record. The conducted tours of the WHOLE workings of the vineyard are worth attending, no detail is missed!
    2. The caravan park caters for bus tour groups and is very reasonably priced with excellent facilities,
    3. Now for the horse loving fraternity who like a little wager now and then, a hint. Prior to the big carnivals in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide watch carefully the nominations from the top Adelaide based trainers for trials and first runs back at the magnificent Clare
    Racing/Jockey Club. You'd be surprised what top horses re-appear at Clare!
    4. The vineyards overlooking the Clare Jockey Club race track up the mountain have restaurants and art galleries at their tasting areas.
    Well worth a trip up even just to take in the magnificent view on a clear day of the Clare Valley.
    Ah yes - I enjoyed my trips of Clare and the pub counter lunches are top quality.
    I am glad you included Clare SA, Margaret.
    Colin

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    1. It's great you enjoyed your trip there Colin.
      Streets were totally bare of human beings, I bought a few clothes and only the people that worked there were in the stores.
      I presume it's a place that gets busy at the weekend and certain times of year.

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  6. Look at that vineyard!
    Have a great Sunday, Margaret.

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  7. Thank you for this onderful post

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  8. thank for the discovery of these beautiful places! amazing decor at each stop! it is pleasant to the eyes, and your informative text!

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  9. Replies
    1. It is nice, doesn't seem to be that big of a country town, but with the surrounding areas it's bigger than I think it is.

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  10. "The Clare Valley Wine Makers were the first in Australia to invent the screw cap closure for Riesling bottles." - that's quite the achievement considering the Australian market seems to be saturated with that top of cap now! Some beautiful wines from that region.

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  11. I love those old buildings and the winery/brewery looks very nice too.
    Another pretty town and so clean.
    Funny about the roads at top and bottom of cliffs.

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    1. It's a nice little town...always appears to be clean which is good.

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  12. I enjoy photos. I just keep wonder where are all the people?

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    1. Andy! That is the $64,000 question???? - just where are the locals of Clare? and the visitors to the region which is so famous for the areas vineyards, etc? I have visited 3 times and that main street has been a bustle of activity with people. The hotel, The Clare, as an example opens at 10.00 am and probably closes with the SA Liquor laws well after the midnight and it has always had heaps of customers coming and going and it serves great counter lunches and has a really excellent restaurant for the more sedate meals. Not a person to be seen????
      The only reason I can think of and it is bizarre and I am sure Margaret would have been aware of "that alert", was that the town was having a drill in case " aliens from Mars" were expected to arrive - ha ha!
      But photos don't lie so what you see is as far as I am concerned abnormal scenes!
      Colin

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    2. Oops: The Clare Hotel - "closes well after midnight - maybe 2.00am" ?? - depending on SA Liquor Laws.
      Colin

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    3. Was a week day, maybe that has something to do with no one about plus it was winter..

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  13. What a beautiful little town, I love the architecture.

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  14. Replies
    1. Yes Sussi..was easy to shop for clothes there on that day.

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  15. Of again I'm here to behold their wonderful trips, now that I 'm back at home.

    Kisses

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  16. That would be a rude surprise to be driving along and just have it end at a cliff....and a bit dangerous:)
    Have a great day, Margaret.

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    1. Very dangerous but there are signs and so forth these days.

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  17. Lovely to see the vineyards.
    The buildings look quite grand.

    All the best Jan

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  18. It's always nice to watch views and houses in the other side of the wordl.
    These buildings are lovely.

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  19. Your blog lets us see parts of Australia not normally featured in other parts of the world. On the rare occasion when there is a news item here about Australia you can almost guarantee that it will be accompanied by a shot of the Sydney Harbour Opera House!

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    1. Well that's interesting to know regarding Australian news, then showing the Sydney Harbour Opera House...It's pleasing to know that you appreciated other scenery and buildings within Australia...thanks for telling me :)

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