Kangarilla: Wine, Trails and Local History

Kangarilla brings together wine tastings, trails and local history to appeal to different travel interests. Anvers Wines and Hickinbotham offer cellar door tastings; the signposted Kangarilla Tree Trail and Section 7 of the Willunga Basin Trail offer different options to consider when planning. The Kangarilla Grandstand and Parkhurst’s historic garden add architectural and garden history. When planning your hotel stay, you can first consider whether wine, a walk or the town’s history will shape your visit.

Wine Tastings in Kangarilla

The Anvers winery team offers relaxed wine tastings in Kangarilla, which you can enjoy at your own pace. Bookings are recommended for these tastings; you can book by phone on (08) 7085 0615 or online. Check the current booking options directly with Anvers Wines before planning your visit around them.

Hickinbotham wine tastings take place at the Yangarra Cellar Door next to the winery in Kangarilla. In the wider McLaren Vale travel region, the Yangarra Cellar Door is in the northeastern part of the region. Options available there include guided premium tastings, seasonal events and wine by the glass in the wine lounge. Seasonal events vary; take the relevant dates into account when planning your trip.

Tree Trail and Hike

In Kangarilla, you can follow a signposted tree trail. Maps are available to download; check locally that you are using the current map. The tree trail is one way to connect your visit with a tree-related theme. Section 7 of the Willunga Basin Trail is a hiking stage.

The section is a 16.2 km challenging hike graded as difficulty level 4. It ends at the intersection of Sand Road and McLaren Flat Road in Kangarilla. If you plan to hike this stage, take its length and grading into account. Trail conditions and route status can change; check both with the trail operator before hiking.

Architectural History and Historic Plantings

The Kangarilla Grandstand comprises a grandstand built around 1924, a pavilion and change rooms made of freestone, with brick quoins, edging and decorative features. The structures and materials give the site a distinct architectural character. Local residents donated money and building materials for its construction; the Grandstand has been in continuous use since it was completed. Both its construction and the story of its creation are among the defining details of the town.

The history of gardens includes Parkhurst’s historic garden in Kangarilla. Remnants of Captain Dashwood’s experimental plantings from the 1850s to the 1870s remain there. The experiments aimed to find out which tree species would adapt to local climatic conditions. The plantings therefore offer a different historical perspective from the Grandstand: here the focus is on tree species and their potential to adapt to the climate, while there it is on architectural forms, materials and community construction.

Discover more destinations: Old Reynella, Hackham, Flagstaff Hill, Aldinga Beach, Happy Valley, Christies Beach, Clarendon, Port Noarlunga

For the wider travel overview: City of Onkaparinga.