Location and attractions in the Clare Valley
Leasingham accommodation with easy access to towns, parks and heritage areas
Ethel’s Cottage is located in Leasingham in the heart of the Clare Valley, about ninety minutes by car from Adelaide and ten minutes from Clare.
Ethel’s Cottage in Clare Valley
This page helps you plan your Clare Valley attractions while staying at Ethel’s Cottage. For more information about the Cottage, go the Room and Amenities page.
About the location in Clare Valley
Leasingham is situated on the southern edge of the Clare Valley at the junction of Mintaro and Hoyleton, with the Riesling Trail running along the western fringe. The district is centred around Eyre Creek as it flows toward the Wakefield River, with vines, grain paddocks, and red gums shaping the landscape. This area is part of Ngadjuri Country, and the hamlet’s name traces back to Leasingham in Lincolnshire, England. Surveys followed early exploration in the late 1830s, and the township was laid out in the 1850s.
Getting oriented on the Riesling Trail from Leasingham
Leasingham connects to the Riesling Trail, allowing for short rides that link towns and tasting rooms. Watervale is north along the Trail, and Auburn sits to the south. Clare is the regional centre for bigger shops, galleries and visitor information. Use this page to plan off-trail days, then open the Riesling Trail and local wineries page when you’re ready for a day on the bikes.
Towns and short drives from the cottage
Leasingham accommodation places you between Watervale and Auburn for simple bike days and short drives, with Clare as the regional hub for supplies and galleries.
Watervale
This charming wine town is renowned for its Riesling. You’ll find welcoming cellar doors, and you can visit the famous Watervale Hotel for fine dining. Spend your morning exploring, enjoy an afternoon tasting, and then relax as you leisurely return to your cottage.
Auburn
A pretty trailhead town with heritage streets, a quiet main street and handy services. Park for a coffee, browse small shops and take a short walk along the creek before heading back.
Clare
The central hub for groceries, bottle shops, fuel and chemists. You also find galleries, a small museum and the visitor information centre. Ideal for rainy days and top-up shops during an extended stay.
Sevenhill
An old winery town with a church and shaded grounds. Pack a picnic for the lawns or take a slow walk through the historic precinct, then loop back past vineyards.
Heritage towns and sights in Clare Valley
Clare Valley attractions include well-maintained heritage sites and stations that tell the story of nineteenth-century settlement, featuring slate, wool, and wine.
Mintaro and Martindale Hall
A state-listed town of stone cottages and slate history pairs well with a visit to Martindale Hall. The grand nineteenth-century homestead offers a genuine sense of the district’s early years. Plan a half day with time to sit under the trees. View website ->
Bungaree Station
A working station established in the 1840s with a homestead precinct, church and outbuildings. Tours and self-guided history make it a solid choice for families and history fans. View website ->
Burra Heritage day trip
Head north for a day of mines, stone buildings and broad skies. The heritage passport unlocks sites across the town including old gaols, dugouts and the brewery cellars. Return via rolling farmland for a country finish. View website ->
Nature walks and lookouts around Clare
Spring Gully Conservation Park
Gum forest, birdsong and a seasonal waterfall after rain. The conservation park tracks lead to a lookout with expansive views over vineyards and ranges. Check fire safety messages on hot or windy days.
Gleeson Wetlands
Gleeson Wetlands is a loop near Clare that offers birdwatching opportunities and seating. Pathways suit prams and little legs. Bring a coffee and take a quiet lap before lunch in town. View website ->
Wine and Wilderness Trail day stages
The Wine and Wilderness Trail offers day stages with lookouts and quiet back roads that pair well with a picnic or a cellar door lunch. View website ->
Food and drink off the Trail
This list covers venues better reached by car or not directly on the Trail, while on-Trail stops appear on the Riesling Trail and Local Wineries page.
- Auburn for a country pub meal at the Rising Sun, or a relaxed breakfast or lunch at Room 21on the main street
- Clare for a choice of restaurants, cafes and providores to stock the pantry
- Farm gate and weekend markets as you find them, ask at the visitor centre for current times
- Sevenhill offers a bakery and the popular Sevenhill Hotel for lunch and dinner
Galleries and local culture
- Clare Valley art gallery for Central Australian Aboriginal art and local work
- Polish Hill River Church Museum for a small but thoughtful slice of migrant history
- Local studios and community exhibitions that change with the seasons
Family ideas
- Ride short hops on the Riesling Trail between villages, with bakery stops and shady seats
- Pack a picnic for Spring Gully or the lawns at Sevenhill
- Visit Bungaree Station for farm history and open space
- Wander the Wetlands in Clare and let kids count birds while you plan dinner
Practicals near the cottage
Groceries and supplies
Auburn has an IGA for quick shops. Clare has larger supermarkets and bottle shops for a bigger stock up.
Visitor information
The Clare Valley Wine Food and Tourism Centre carries maps, tasting notes and local advice. Drop in early in your stay to collect ideas and current opening hours.
Fuel chemist medical and EV charging
Head to Clare for fuel, pharmacies and the local medical centre. Drivers with electric vehicles find chargers in Clare and across the region on main routes. Ask the Visitor Centre for the latest sites.
Suggested half-day plans from Leasingham
North Loop by car
Mintaro for a walk, Martindale Hall for a tour, then back through Watervale for a cafe stop. Return to the cottage for an easy evening outside.
South Loop by bike
Roll from the cottage to auburn for coffee, browse the main street, then ride back with a stop in Leasingham for a tasting. Keep the pace easy and enjoy the views.
Bush and town mix
Morning in Spring Gully for a lookout and a short track, then Clare for lunch and a gallery visit. Pick up supplies for dinner on the way home.
Map and distances
Use the cottage as the centre point. Towns lie along the Trail in both directions. Heritage sites and parks sit a short drive away on sealed roads. Cycling times vary with fitness and stops, so plan for extra time and enjoy the ride.
Plan a day on the Riesling Trail
As the Riesling Trail is close to Ethel’s Cottage, this makes bike days and cellar door visits convenient and enjoyable. For example, you can start with a short loop to Watervale or roll south to Auburn for a coffee break. Add Sevenhill and Clare for a full-day experience with lunch, tastings, and shaded grounds. When you want more ideas and winery clusters, read our Riesling Trail and Local Wineries page.
- Trail access is only about six hundred metres from the cottage.
- Claymore and O’Leary Walker cellar doors are within easy walking distance.
- North and south loops with lunch and tasting options.
- Ethel’s Cottage provides bikes and helmets, but you can also hire bikes and e-bikes in nearby townships if you need them.
Discover Ethel’s Cottage: Traditional Hospitality, Modern Comfort
Ethel’s Cottage is located in Leasingham, a short walk from the Riesling Trail. This beautifully restored stone cottage set on two acres, complete with a cottage garden and expansive lawns perfect for relaxation. The cottage sleeps up to six guests, and has a full kitchen, a dining room, and a separate lounge.
Plan your stay from here
- Read Rooms and Amenities for details on bedding, kitchen details and breakfast.
- See our Clare Valley cottage rates for packages, minimum nights and inclusions.
- Open Booking and Availability to check dates and request your stay.
- Read About Ethel’s Cottage