What a start to a trail! As befits the history of the path, the beginning is at the former Auburn Railway Station, now restored and home to Mount Horrocks Wines and The Station Café. Auburn’s magnificent bluestone buildings line the quiet streets, many of themlisted on the National and State Heritage registers. The trail heads north from the village, and just a little to the east is a detour to Taylors Wines, winner of many prestigious international awards. Look for the sign that tells the story of the heritage listed MellerQuarry. The stone from here was usedlocally, as well as for some of Adelaide’s grandest civic buildings. The trail then passes through open farming country filled with vineyards and panoramic landscapes. Along the way you will see a storyboard about the Ngadjuri, the Aboriginal people of the region, known as ‘peppermint gum people’ after the peppermint box eucalyptus tree found throughout the area. Look out also for a new
shelter and art installation on this leg of the trail – it’s worth stopping to rest and take in the magnificent views.
Seven kilometres from Auburn the trail reaches Leasingham, a small village that once catered to the bullockies and muleteers carting the copper ore from Burra to Port Wakefield. Two kilometres on you reach the small town of Watervale and the very heart of Riesling country. Stopover and take in the attractions of Watervale, its cellar doors; the single storey pub with its classic Australian look; the wine museum at Annie’s Lane at Quelltaler; and the Morella Nursery. From Watervale the trail is elevated and passes through a cutting providing shade and solitude before opening out again to views of vineyards, farmlands and a small gum plantation. Where the trail meets Mount Horrocks Road take a short detour to visit the studio of artist Murray Edwards, a hand-built mud brick gallery in an inspirational setting. The trail rises gently as it heads towards Penwortham and passes under Main North Road. To your right is the Anglican church of St Mark's, a much-loved landmark of the valley. At the Pawelski Road intersection there is a storyboard about John Horrocks, the young explorer who was the region’s first European settler and founder of the village. The cottage he built nearby is the oldest stone cottage north of Gawler.
As you cross College Road near Sevenhill, take a detour to Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery and vineyard in the region. Founded
by the Jesuits in 1851, it is one of the most picturesque in Australia. Near here you will also find a new shelter, complete with rainwater tank to replenish your water supplies. Travelling through the Sevenhill vineyards it is a gentle descent toward Clare by way of the striking Quarry Road Bridge. Its story is told in nearby signage. The Clare Showgrounds, several wineries, cellar doors and welcoming restaurants are features of the trail in the township of Clare. The trail pauses, as fittingly as it began, at the site of a former railway station, this time in Clare, just behind the Leasingham winery, another of the region’s treasures. The trailhead here provides easy access to the Clare township and the newly extended trail to the north.
