T: (08) 8841 3777
F: (08) 8842 3295
E: dannyh@cmc.rbe.net.au

Mon to Fri, 9:30am - 5:30pm
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The historic town of Clare lies amidst the wooded hills of the northern Mt. Lofty Ranges at the head of a plateau valley, 1½ hours drive north of Adelaide. Rural sheep grazing beginnings now successfully blend with one of Australia's premium wine making districts. In fact, wine has been produced in the area since 1850, and the district is now world renowned for its high quality wines.

Clare is a growing town, which is rare for a country town in South Australia. The district has one of the lowest unemployment levels in the state. Clare has a public high school and primary school, a private catholic primary school, and good child-care facilities. The town boasts lawn tennis courts, an irrigated golf course, recreation centre and gym, and a good range of restaurants and shopping facilities. 5-star accommodation with a conference centre is provided at the Clare Country Club, adjacent to the golf course.

There are several picnic and barbecue areas around the town. Maynard Park and the Lions Park are both in the centre of Clare. Also of interest is the family outdoor gym at Inchiquin Lake and the excellent play equipment at Christison Park on the edge of town. Picturesque lookouts provide another perspective on the area at Billy Goat Hill, Neagles Rock and Quarry Hill. The Riesling Walking Trail running south from Clare right through to Auburn, on a disused railway track, provides beautiful scenery along the way.

One of the joys of Clare is its proximity to other interesting villages and secluded spots in the Clare Valley region. Quite a number of small towns exist within ten minute's drive of Clare. The rolling hills dotted with vineyards, gum-lined streams and fascinating stone wine cellars make exploring the area most rewarding. Numerous Wineries, which offer both wine tastings and sales, are dotted throughout the valley, around towns such as Mintaro, Sevenhills, Watervale, Leasingham and Auburn. Martindale Hall, an imposing historic mansion near Mintaro dating from 1879, is well worth visiting.

Each year the Clare Valley Winemakers' Association stage the very popular Clare Valley Gourmet weekend (during the long-weekend of May), where current vintage wines are put on show. Easter is also a popular time in the Clare Valley, with horse racing on both Easter Saturday and Monday. A Spanish Festival is usually held over the ANZAC weekend.

The Clare Hospital is a 25-acute-bed sub-regional hospital situated in the hills and outskirts of Clare, in a picturesque location with pleasant gardens and rooms. Included are a 3-bed day surgery and a high-dependency bed. The hospital has a very well equipped 2-bed accident and emergency area, a 1-bed outpatient's treatment and minor surgery room, and a labour ward with approximately 100 deliveries per year.

Three weekly operating sessions are provided in a well-equipped and spacious theatre. The local GPs provide obstetrics, anaesthetics and surgical services: 7 practice obstetrics, 5 practice anaesthetics (including epidurals), and there is one resident general surgeon. An ear-nose-and-throat surgeon, gastroenterologist, orthopaedics surgeon, urologist and general surgeon all visit on a regular basis. In addition, consultations with a physician, podiatrist, audiometrist and orthodontist are all available at the hospital.

Jones and Partners Medical Imaging Specialists provide services Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital. They provide a wide-ranging x-ray service, including ultrasounds, thereby providing a good support for the local GPs. A 25-bed commonwealth-funded nursing home is also on the grounds of the hospital, and this provides permanent nursing care to elderly patients.

The Lower North Community Health Service has its administrative base in Clare. A comprehensive range of Community and Allied Health services is provided from the numerous consulting rooms in the centre. Service Providers include a diabetes educator, dietitian, mental health, community nursing, child & youth health and drug & alcohol health nurses, occupational therapist, podiatrist, speech pathologist, psychologist, psychiatrist and women's health worker.