Stop in at Saddleworth to experience a traditional country town atmosphere and to wander through the local stores.
The old Catholic Church cemetery atop the hill has interesting epitaphs as well as a nice view over Saddleworth. A heritage walk brochure is available from the Saddleworth Institute.
Settlement of the Saddleworth area came in 1844. It was named by the early pastoralist John Masters after his hometown in Yorkshire, England. Saddleworth is still very much a pastoralist area, acting as a service town for the local rural community with the main activities being wheat, barley, sheep and cattle farming. West towards Auburn, wine is also an important product of the area. Nearby Waterloo, Marrabel and Manoora reflect the still ever present historical tales of early pioneers. Indeed Waterloo was once a staging point between Burra and Adelaide for the horse drawn Cobb and Co Coaches.
The Clare Valley itself represents an authentic slice of country life. Whether you're walking through its intimate villages, cycling the Riesling Trail, or exploring the country roads and bushland, you can't help but fall for the region's natural charms.
When you sample the local produce at a farmhouse tasting room, you may find yourself talking to the person whose name is on the label. And when you try a Riesling at one of the region's award-winning wineries, you might just find yourself chatting to the winemaker, and hearing first hand about the meticulous craft that went into making it.
