Clare Valley Galleries and Museums
A snapshot in time
There’s more to the Clare Valley than fabulous wine and food.
It has a proud 160 year architectural and agricultural history. You’ll find fine examples of it throughout the region. At Clare’s National Trust Museum, there’s a collection of nineteenth century clothing, furniture and household items.
Riverton’s Scholz Park Museum is another unique snapshot of those times. It’s like a little township with a cottage, blacksmith and wheelwright shop to explore.
There are three museums in Burra which give a glimpse of early settler life. Morphett’s Engine House Museum, Bon Accord Mining Museum and Market Square Museum are must do attractions which have working exhibits and displays.
Museums
In Clare Valley’s other former copper town, Kapunda, there’s a folk museum dedicated to agricultural machinery. It’s one of the best of its kind.
View national, local and regional art at Kapunda’s Community Gallery. There’s an interpretive display, with movies and maps of the surrounding region.
The Polish were some of the Clare Valley’s first settlers. They arrived in the 1850s and the Polish Hill River Church Museum reflects their contribution to the community.
Cellar door galleries
Mt Surmon Wines is one of several wineries that are also galleries. On top of a hill just north of Clare, Scarlatti’s Gallery has new exhibitions every five weeks but the sublime views are permanent. Enjoy them over wine and delicious platters of local produce.
Patly Hill Farm combines food and art. The Terrace Gallery has a collection of paintings, glass, ceramic and timber crafts plus a superb range of home-made olive products, jams, pickles and preserves.
At the Sevenhill and Annie’s Lane wineries there are impressive collections of cooper’s tools and old winemaking equipment.
See modern art at Irongate Studio in Mintaro.
Agricultural heritage
Head to Balaklava. You’ll see vintage tractors and horse drawn vehicles, war memorabilia, fashion, sculptures and quilting at the Balaklava Museum and Balaklava Courthouse Gallery.
You’ll find the Medika Gallery in Blyth’s old Lutheran Church. The collection includes portraits of regional birdlife, glassware, pottery and crystal.
Whatever you do, make sure you visit Martindale Hall. Explore this museum and stay on for an enjoyable silver service dinner, bed and breakfast.
In the Clare Valley, life really does imitate art.
Things to do
Here are some great ideas for you to try while you’re in the area.
What's on
There are plenty of events on in the Clare Valley. Here are some ideas you might like.
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