McLaren Vale Family-Friendly Cellar Doors And Playgrounds

There are plenty of family-friendly wineries in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast that are child friendly too, here are the top cellar door spots for kids. Many of them have plenty to do in the Spring/Summer season in 2024, so get out there and explore!

Gemtree – Kids can say hello to the sheep and two alpacas, Gus and Caruso. A playground, toy box and kids packs are available. Plus there’s a massive hill to roll down.

Maxwell Wines -  Maze – First planted in 1990, the maze is fully grown with plenty of opportunity to get lost. Families can also enjoy a casual food and wine experience out on the lawns.

Lloyd Brothers - The kids will be welcomed with a little table and chairs, books, colouring in, blocks and a few toys and games for them to play with. The grassed area outside is a great size and also features a lake with ducks so a great spot the kids to run free. 

Woodstock Wines  - Wildlife sanctuary (paid visits) – Supervised feeding time is 11:30am daily for the western grey kangaroos and wallabies. A lovely playground too.

Wirra Wirra  -  Kids and all the fam can enjoy the lawn games set up in front of the Tasting Room. Giant Jenga, noughts & crosses as well as connect four

Serafino Wines - There are huge lawns for the kids to run around on and maybe even enjoy a game of cricket!

The Vine Shed - Complete with a large outdoor area with a cubby house, giant outdoor games, and kid’s menu. It’s dog, friendly, too.

Lazy Ballerina – The gardens are like a giant nature play area. There’s bocce, a toy corner and places to play hide and seek. Child-size platters and pizzas are also available.

Willunga Creek Wines – A great indoor play area (kitchen, dolls house and lots of toys), relaxed family atmosphere and mini golf for a small fee, which goes to charity.

Angove Family Winemakers – Cosy couches and books and toys for the little ones. The casual menu has a nice selection for kids in between games of tag out on the grass.

There are also a number of wineries which offer a toy box or great outdoor activities for children like Oliver’s Taranga and Wirra Wirra. Cellar door staff are also a great source of children friendly recommendations

Bec Hardy Wines  - The young (and young at heart) can enjoy outdoor lawn games including bocce, ring toss, croquet and totem tennis. There’s also picnic blankets and plenty of lawn.

Fox Creek Wines - Their treasure hunt is a highlight – kids get a book of things to find, and a prize at the end. There’s also a soccer goal, jenga and lots of ball games.

Mollydooker Wines  - Keep an eye on their social pages to find out about their family movie night, Movie at Molly’s, during the summer.

Top Playgrounds

• Jubilee Park Adventure Playground - (home to the giant wooden fort, Port Noarlunga)
• Wilfred Taylor Reserve - The newest addition to the region, this awesome nature playground is a must!
• McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre Playground - McLaren Vale
• McLaren Flat (bakery next door) - McLaren Flat
• Rotary Park - Christies Beach
• Thalassa Park (including the story book walk) Aberfoyle Park
• Frank Hilton Reserve - Maslin Beach
• Market Square - Old Noarlunga

Keeping the kids sweet

The Cottage Bakery – ‘Mighty Milk’ is a smaller milkshake served in the old-fashioned milk bottles. There are also free baby chinos, a cubbyhouse, sandpit and boat for kids to play on, and a picnic area.

CJ's Bakery - Their Award Winning Chocolate Donut, Vanilla Slice Donut, Jam Donut, Vanilla Slice, Pies and hot cross buns are too good to miss here!

Willunga Bakery – The delicious shortbread is a hit with big and little kids.

Beck’s Bakehouse – Cocktail pies, pasties and sausage rolls. Doughnuts and custard tarts are a hit.

Clarendon Bakery -This is award winning and seriously delicious!

Homegrain Bakery - Aldinga is even better with a delish home made pastie or sausage roll to enjoy here

There are lots of great bakeries across the region, talk to the Visitor Information Centre to find out more.

Local identity Becky Hirst, Winey Kids blogger, shares her tips on the best local attractions to entertain the whole family.

Shiraz Trail – Saddle up your bikes, rollerblades, scooters, walking boots – even your four-legged family members – and take to the trail. It’s far enough without being too far. Our little one has done it a few times, and loves it.

Play at the beach – There’s nothing better than fish and chips on the foreshore and watching the sunset. 

McCarthys Orchard – Put together a picnic with fresh fruit and supplies. It’s conveniently across the road from Goodieson Brewery! Go for a beer and take the kids across to grab apples from the orchards and pat the goats and donkeys.

Adelaide Biplanes – Popular with kids because they can sit and watch the aeroplanes taking off and landing.

Explore Thalassa Park Story Book Walk – Discover popular characters and scenes from iconic books like Possum Magic, Mulga Bills Bicycle, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Magic Pudding and Dot and the Kangaroo created by talented local artists. It is a great walk through the park and children love seeing their favourite story book characters.

Learn to surf – There are plenty of surf schools and beautiful beaches to explore. Find your favourite beach to visit.

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