Barossa Guides Attractions Events in South Australia

There's a real buzz in the Angaston main street - cafés, cheese makers, wine bars, cellar doors, smart little antique and retail shops and traditional shops.

Blond Coffee is a Mecca for the locals that visitors should not miss: a modern coffee shop that offers fresh light lunches, great coffee, and a selection of local and imported produce. Similarly, just a minute from the main street.

The South Australian Company Store offers visitors a truly regional experience, stocking a large range of Food Barossa products as well as a sensational dining experience, compliments of renowned local chef Chris Wilksch. Both businesses typify the way the Barossa constantly reinvents itself to reflect the best contemporary culture while keeping its feet still firmly rooted in tradition.

The Barossa Farmers Market on the edge of town is another example. Held each Saturday morning, it showcases real food produced in the homes and farms of the Barossa. Local food producers offer the freshest of home grown produce, from fruit and vegetables to meat, poultry and free-range eggs, along with a huge variety of locally manufactured food products.

But history is never far away. With a population of around 2000, Angaston is at the "English" or eastern end of the Barossa and was named after one of South Australia's founders, George Fife Angas, who sponsored many of the region's early German settlers. The Angas family was a major influence here for many generations, with one of their homes, Collingrove, now providing accommodation and a popular tourism attraction. There is a terrific selection of bed and breakfasts, both hosted and self-contained, as you'll need a rest after all of the activity Angaston has to offer.

Australia’s wine capital features more than 80 cellar doors, less than two hours' drive from Adelaide.

Immerse yourself in a place where luxury retreats offer award-winning wines, world-class cuisine and panoramic views.

The Barossa is a great romantic escape. The hills and valleys have inspired many local artists, so take some time, just the two of you and escape here for the weekend. Spend the night in million-star accommodation under clear skies.

The Barossa has cool summers and rainy winters, which make it perfectly suited for red wine production, particularly Shiraz and richly flavoured Cabernet.
Nearby Eden Valley is less well known but also boasts a stellar reputation for premium wines. A higher altitude and cooler climate lends itself to Riesling and Chardonnay.

Unlike us, wine really doesn't enjoy travelling. If you have picked up a few treasured bottles, don't leave them in the car on a warm day! Many cellar doors offer specialist wine transport services, to make sure your precious cargo gets home safely.

In terms of a famed wine region, the roots of the Barossa stretch back to 1839 with the arrival of early settler Johannes Menge. Although a small community had established themselves in the small village of Lyndoch, it was Menge who saw the opportunity for wine. In fact, in April 1839 he described the district as, "The cream, the whole cream and nothing but the cream."

Aside from an amazing array of wines and wineries to discover, there are regional arts and a rich, pioneering history worth exploring, including the short-lived gold rush of the 1860s. Of course, with great wine comes great food. So make sure you leave enough time to sample all of the locally produced delights the Barossa has to offer.

All of this and more is available via a network of well signposted heritage trails that can be accessed by car or on foot.

The Visitor Information Centres at Gawler and Tanunda are open seven days a week and the friendly staff are always on hand to help you with your plans, so drop in and say hi.

The small village of Bethany is the site of the first German settlement in the Barossa.

It is one of the few surviving examples of a ‘hufendorf’, a democratic form of Silesian village layout, where each family had its own long strip of land stretching from the main street in front of the cottage to a common pasture bordered by a creek. Beautiful Herberge Christi Church is a focal point, alongside the old school buildings and opposite the pioneer cemetery with its distinctive 18th century revivalist ornamentation.

The street is still lined with many early cottages (most now private residences), with some faithful examples of early German peasant architecture.

Towards the hills is Bethany Reserve, a popular, peaceful and shady picnic location.

The Bethany Vineyard, owned by the fifth generation of the Schrapel family is nestled into the ranges at the top of Bethany Road and offers sweeping valley views.

The original settlement of Arno Vale was settled by John Hallett in 1840, on the fringe of where the current settlement lies. It was later named for the flocks of cockatoos that congregated in the ancient old gums surrounding the town. Its convenient rural location – only 8km from Gawler – has seen recent land subdivisions for people seeking a country lifestyle. The Barossa Goldfields, Sandy Creek and Para Wirra Conservation Parks are a short drive away. The local general store can provide fuel and provisions seven days a week.

Eden Valley is a garden of grapes and gums. It’s next door to the Barossa Valley and together they make up the Barossa region.

The Eden Valley has some superb cellar doors.

Henschke is one of them. It’s one of the oldest wine names in the Barossa. Five Henschke generations have made wine. Their Hill of Grace Shiraz is world renowned. Visit the original two storey cellar, built in 1868. See open fermenters and memorabilia. The rustic cellar door has low doorways, stone walls and family portraits. It’s open Monday to Friday and Saturday until noon.

Visit Mountadam Winery, built in 1972 by David Wynn. David was a legend of the Australian industry. He recognised the cool climate potential of an area he called High Eden. His Chardonnay helped pioneer the variety in Australia. Make sure you try it. The cellar door is open for tasting and sales weekdays and weekends.

Don’t miss Irvine Wines. Jim Irvine’s Merlots are among the best in Australia. He also makes great sparkling Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Gris. Taste the full range. The Irvine Wines cellar door is open by appointment.

See Peter Seppelt Wines at Grand Cru Estate. Peter’s family has been making wine for over 150 years. Eat gourmet pizza at the Grand Cru Wood Oven Restaurant. It’s open weekends for lunch and dinner. The cellar door is open five days a week, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family owned winery. It started in 1849. For the past decade, it has helped introduce Australians to new styles like Viognier and Tempranillo. Yalumba is a must see.

Taste Eden Valley in Angaston is a collaborative cellar door. It brings together some of the region’s most impressive wines under one roof. Many are only available through Taste Eden Valley. Try wine from some of the region’s smallest and most exclusive producers. Learn about the region's distinctive wines and the people who make them. Relax in the bar with a glass of wine and regional nibbles.

Enjoy the heavenly Eden Valley.

Wheat and women have put the town of Freeling firmly on the map, cementing its place in both reflective and modern history.

Freeling was the home of the award-winning Australian TV show, McLeod's Daughters. It's a quaint rural town with many historical buildings. You can wander the heritage streets at leisure, or follow the walking trail and learn about Freeling's rich farming history.

A number of visitors head straight for the Gungellan Hotel - as seen by fans of McLeod's Daughters in some 100 countries. The pub and streets of Freeling featured regularly in the McLeod shooting schedules, with nearby Kapunda and Roseworthy occasionally being called into the action. The proprietors of the Gungellan Hotel (formerly The Railway) are used to answering questions from the series' many fans. Souvenirs are available to purchase.

If you're wondering, the McLeod's station Drover's Run lay some 15 kilometres to the south-west, filmed on a real property called Kingsford. But the local countryside is one of the major stars of the show - and free for everyone to enjoy!

Freeling is set on gentle, rolling hills. In the early 1900s, it was the largest hay-producing centre in the state. Haystacks were so large, they could be seen for miles. Today, although the haystacks have diminished in size, the town’s popularity has boomed due to McLeod's Daughters.

The oldest country town in the state, Gawler is just 43 kilometres north of Adelaide and is on the main metropolitan train line.

Planned by Colonel William Light at the junction of the North and South Para Rivers, the picturesque town is renowned for its magnificent architecture, wrought iron, Church Hill State Heritage Area, and its 10 historic hotels.

Gawler is a regional service centre with modern shopping complexes, boutique retail outlets, commercial services and great dining. The beautiful and manicured parklands are perfect for family outings.

Gawler has an established night life with many of the pubs hosting some of Adelaide’s finest live bands.

Gawler has several markets as well as hosting a range of community through to major events throughout the year.

Nestled in the heart of western Barossa, Greenock is a picturesque village. Sometimes it is referred to as a little Scotland in the Barossa. The name Greenock literally means sunny hill and is derived from the Gaelic, Grain (meaning sun) and Cnoc (which means hill).

The town’s oval, with its magnificent restored grandstand, hosts some of the region’s most competitive cricket and soccer matches. The shady recreation park is a popular spot for picnics and gatherings. The village green is a popular spot in the centre of town, which comes alive when the Santos Tour Down Under cycling race runs through.

The silos, mill and wheat store are still standing, reminiscent of the days when Greenock served as a hub for the grain trade and farming community. Time has passed, but Greenock still has a comfortable village feel, with the tavern being the regular meeting place for many locals. Travellers are guaranteed a warm welcome, whether or not they are staying in the region or just passing through. In recent years, Greenock has become a popular destination for those wanting to experience something a little different with olde worlde charm. Greenock is home to a new boutique beer brewery, the Barossa Brewing Company. Located in the historic 1860s wheat store, the brewery is open for tastings and sales on weekends. The owners are happy to give visitors a tour.

Another great place to visit and linger is Murray Street Vineyards. Its cellar door is set in the centre of a working winery. It opens onto a decking, with vineyards so close, you could reach out and touch them. For most days of the year, visitors can taste some of their unique wines and indulge in delicious local produce, cheese platters or a freshly brewed coffee. It is total decadence!

Located in the Eden Valley and set amidst big gum country on the road to the Murray River, Keyneton is a pretty country village of just a dozen or so buildings.

Most of them date from the mid-late 1800s. The town was named after English pastoralist, Joseph Keynes, who had taken up the land in the early 1840s. His descendants still continue to live and farm in the area.

Whilst the town is located on a cross road, no matter which direction you are travelling make sure you visit the historic Henschke Cellars, just 4 kilometres out of town. Home to the world-famous Hill of Grace Shiraz, Henschke Cellars is run by fifth generation wine maker Stephen Henschke. Not far from the Cellar Door you will find the beautiful old Lutheran Church Gnadenberg, from which the famed wine derived its name.

Surrounded by lush vineyards on the flats east of Nuriootpa, the hamlet of Light Pass has some of the most authentic buildings remaining in the region.

The mud and straw schoolhouse built in 1846 still stands; along with a group of wattle and daub farm buildings and thatched-roofed barns dating from the 1860s.

In the centre of the settlement is Luhrs Cottage, an original German settler’s home built in 1848 for the town’s first Lutheran schoolteacher. The cottage has been painstakingly restored as a local museum and is open to the public seven days a week.

A regular and popular event on the Barossa Calendar is Sunday Funday at Gibson Wines, a short drive from the main street on Willows Road. Be entertained by live music that will get your feet tapping, play petanque, or lounge around and enjoy the atmosphere. Scrumptious Barossa platters are available to complement Gibson wine. Call the Barossa Visitor Information Centre to check dates.

Lyndoch is a country town that has evolved with the times into a mecca of contemporary ambience. It has maintained its English foundations and strong German influences.

Nestled at the fertile base of the Barossa Ranges, the town once featured the first flour mill north of Adelaide. This rich soil today boasts several of the Barossa’s finest wineries. Be tempted by Yaldara, equipped with cellar door, café, larder, wine tunnel and brewery. Visit Kies Winery - famous for not just the wine but also the Monkey Nut Café and Tea Rooms. If nature is more your thing, then roam through and enjoy the aromatic smells of the Lyndoch Lavender Farm. To see it all from the sky, let Barossa Helicopters satisfy that little thrill seeker in us all. Wander the heritage walk, see the historical society display, or visit the arts centre. Get your traditional German bread at the local bakery, pick up a stick of South Australia’s award-winning best smoky mettwurst and breathe the fresh air on the village green.

If you’re after a pleasant drive through picturesque open countryside, it's hard to beat the 12 kilometre journey from Angaston north-east to Moculta. Sweeping cropping and grazing land studded with gum trees, is interspersed with vineyards as the road winds gently to the rural settlement.

Admire Moculta's heritage buildings, including the original blacksmith shop, Lutheran school and former post office and general store.

Moculta sits within one of the most recognised regions in Australia - the Barossa - home to premium food and wine. To visit the Barossa is to taste the good things in life. Come for a romantic escape, to relax and unwind, or for some outdoor adventure.

Sheep, cattle, horses, goats, alpacas … if they’ve got four legs and eat grass they thrive on the gum-studded hills surrounding the town of Mount Pleasant.

Mount Pleasant is a bustling Barossa country town servicing a grazing and cropping region. It's home to one of South Australia's largest annual agricultural shows - the Mount Pleasant Show. It's complete with stock judging, sideshows and local produce.

A little more horse-power comes to town each July, as Mount Pleasant oval becomes the service park for the Scouts Rally SA motor event. The base for the team service crews, you’ll see engines changed in the blink of an eye, and have a chance to get up close and personal with the cars and their drivers.

If you’re just out for a quiet meander, however, you can’t beat a wander through the fascinating antique shops in Mount Pleasant’s leafy main street.

The Barossa region itself is the wine capital of Australia, a place where you can get a real taste for the finer things in life.

It's a place where you can enjoy world-class cuisine and the globally-awarded wines at the region's luxury hotels and top restaurants. You can visit the famous Barossa Farmer's Markets, and discover a new drop at boutique cellar doors. And you can learn a few gourmet cooking tips yourself at cooking classes hosted by some of the nation's most accomplished chefs.

Once you've satisfied your tastebuds, take the opportunity to explore the Barossa countryside. Get in touch with nature with a hiking adventure in its national parks, or test your golfing skills on one of the top greens.

The Barossa is also home to a thriving arts culture. You can learn about this rich history at the region's museums, or see the best contemporary work at art stores and galleries - the perfect chance to take a piece of the Barossa back home.

Nuriootpa means ‘the meeting place’. There is no better place to meet and start exploring the Barossa than here.

Surrounded by vineyards, the town's vine-lined main street becomes an amazing array of colours during autumn. This is the business centre of the Barossa, with an impressive range of facilities and services, iincluding the Barossa Community Store. Nuriootpa is home to some of the region’s best-known cellar doors including Penfolds, Elderton and, just a few kilometres from the town, Wolf Blass Visitor Centre.

Dine in at one of the many eateries, or ‘dine out’ and enjoy a delicious picnic of local produce. There are some great spots to relax and soak up the fresh country air, including Coulthard and Tolley Reserves, or take a leisurely stroll along the Linear Path. If you have a green thumb, be sure to visit Barossa Bushgardens to see how you can use local plant species and native Australian plants to create a stunning garden at home.

Originally known as German Pass, Penrice was settled by Cornish migrants and named after their homeland. Its elevated position provides exceptional views over the Barossa Valley and while land has been highly sought after for residential use grazing sheep and majestic gums still dot the landscape. The Union Chapel on Penrice Road was completed in 1844 and is claimed to be the oldest surviving church in the Barossa. Sponsored by George Fife Angas himself, in the hope that all Christians would form a single church, the chapel has, at various times, been a dance hall, fruit storehouse, home and shearing shed. It has now been restored by the local community and is a popular venue for weddings, christenings and regular Sunday church services.

Many of Australia’s best-known winemakers learned their art at Roseworthy Agricultural College. The college is a 1600ha working farm and university north of Gawler. Established in 1883, the college was the first of its kind in Australia, teaching oenology (winemaking), viticulture (grape growing) and agricultural studies. Wine industry education has now moved to the Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide and Roseworthy Campus has become internationally renowned as a centre for excellence in dryland farming and animal production.

This small town rests on a landscape of low hills, in the valley floor between Lyndoch and Tanunda.

See the contrast between historical buildings, farmhouses and the modern facilities of the impressive, Orlando Wyndham Winery. Established in 1877, the winery is the home to one of Australia’s best-known wine brands, Jacob’s Creek. The famous creek is nearby and is where Johann Gramp first planted vines in 1847.

Learn more about the wine at the modern, Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre, on the road between Rowland Flat and Tanunda. There is an interactive display on winemaking, viticulture and the region’s history, which complements the wine tasting experience.

The region’s largest accommodation property, the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, is located at Rowland Flat. The resort is adjacent to the Tanunda Pines Golf Club. There are magnificant vineyard and rural views from both.

Drive along Seppeltsfield Road and discover why it’s often called "Palm Avenue". Luxury accommodation and a variety of vineyards, offering cellar door and winery tours, make Seppeltsfield Road the place to wine, dine, play and stay in the Barossa.

Seppeltsfield and Marananga are home to one of the region’s most scenic drives. The huge date palms lining the road were planted to provide work for local families during the depression and now provide a stunning landscape popular with photographers.

The Seppelt Family Mausoleum, built on the highest hill overlooking the Seppeltsfi eld Valley, was completed in 1927 by the employees of B Seppelt and Sons. It is now the repository for a majority of the Seppelt Family descendants. You can learn the fascinating story of the family by taking one of the tours at nearby Seppelt Winery.

Another landmark, Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church, has been servicing the community of Marananga for 130 years. Visitors are welcome to Sunday morning services and community events. This part of the Barossa is home to Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, where you can sample and buy the locally made produce and books of this well-known Australian food identity. If you get there in the afternoon, don’t miss the cooking demonstration at 2pm – there’s one on everyday.

For lovers of events, Shakespeare in the Vines has become an annual midsummer performing arts treat on the Barossa calendar each January at the Seppelt Winery. Equally as popular are the Australia Day (January 26) celebrations at multi-award winning, Whistler Wines.

A sleepy hamlet in the hills, east of the Barossa Ranges; Springton is renowned for two very different beverages – milk and wine. The high rainfall produces lush green pastures and dairy farming has been the backbone of the region’s economy since the 1850s. Herds of Holstein-Fresian cows are still run on the land today.

The rich soil and elevated position, is also excellent for viticulture; with white varieties, in particular, gaining an outstanding reputation. Modern vignerons in the region are among the Barossa’s most adventurous and are keenly experimenting with Viognier and other lesser-known varietals.

Intersperse your exploration of local wines with visits to the Herbig Family Tree. It is a huge, old hollow gum tree, which was the first home of the Herbig family. Visit the historic Friedensberg Church, with its fascinating pioneer cemetery.

Silos and a towering church spire rising high above golden wheat fields mark the hamlet of Stockwell, at the base of the Barossa Range.

The local hotel is a friendly place for travellers to relax over a good pub meal and drink.

Stockwell sits within one of Australia's most recognised regions - the Barossa. Come here for a romantic escape, to relax and unwind, or for some outdoor adventure. Explore the wineries throughout the region, strike out on walking trails through rich landscapes, or enjoy a meal in one of the region's acclaimed restaurants.

Historically, picturesque Tanunda has always been the heart of the Barossa region and its history is only a small part of its charms.

Tanunda is a vibrant and growing community and is home to some of Australia’s and the world’s best-loved wines. There’s also a thriving café culture, some great eateries and a happy pub scene to tempt visitors.

Explore the magnificently restored Chateau Tanunda, now home to a modern function centre, as well as a showcase for the Barossa’s boutique wineries. You can even get a sporting fix in Tanunda. Join the locals cheering for the Tanunda Magpies football club on weekends, discover the old German sport of kegel, or see the Tour Down Under, Australia’s premier cycling classic.

If you’re looking for history, great food, memorable wines, fun times and friendly faces, you’ll find a brilliant blend in Tanunda. You’ll also find the Barossa Visitor Information Centre right in the centre of Tanunda’s main street, where you can get friendly advice on everything you want to know about the Barossa.

The gateway to the Barossa from the northeastern end of the region, Truro lies in the ranges 14km northeast of Nuriootpa. The town was settled in 1850 by Cornish miners keen to make their fortune from copper found nearby. But the unsuccessful mines were soon abandoned for cereal farming and grazing. The town has recently become a Mecca for lovers of olives – a thriving new Barossa industry and, with the Sturt Highway running straight up the main street, it is a convenient stop for visitors travelling to or from the Barossa. Visitors can stay overnight in the lovingly restored Maison Cottages. History buffs can visit the Sturt Memorial Cairn. It is one of a chain of commemorative cairns erected in 1944, along the route of the famous expedition to Central Australia, led by Captain Charles Sturt. Vistors may also explore the interesting buildings dating back to the 1850s.

At the southern gateway to the Barossa, picturesque Williamstown offers a welcome for visitors wanting to enjoy a distinct Barossa historical experience. The original settlement of Victoria Creek transformed into Williamstown after the legendary sale of a team of horses in exchange for the parcels of land on which the hotels are now located. The town originally functioned as a service centre for the already well-established pastoral and timber community of the famed Mount Crawford district.

With local wineries, the Barossa reservoirs, conservation parks, Mount Crawford forest and the Barossa goldfields, Williamstown offers plenty to see and do. Visitors can enjoy indoor activities such as wine tasting and shopping as well as outdoor activities like cycling, walking and wildlife watching. A visit to the world-famous Whispering Wall in its natural bushland setting is a must. The massive curved retaining wall of the Barossa reservoir is a 140-metre long, acoustic marvel (you can speak in a normal voice and people on the other side can clearly hear you). This town is also home to the biggest mural in the Barossa, depicting aspects of life in Williamstown and surrounding areas since the earliest days of South Australian settlement.

Along the pretty main street browse the antique store, visit the charming hotels and cellar doors or grab a bite to eat at the bakery, the local deli or fish and chip shop or have a picnic/ barbecue with your family at Colonist Corner or the Victoria Creek Reserve. Accommodation options include bed and breakfast establishments, and a shady caravan park with cabins and tenting options.