Are you ready for some wine tasting and vineyard-hopping? Come to the Barossa Valley in South Australia, considered to be one the best and most scenic wine regions in the country. Here, your senses will be ignited by its rolling countryside, old red gum trees, Shiraz vines, rose courtyards and 19th century stone buildings! Just an hour drive from the city of Adelaide, Barossa Valley is a refreshing change to a busy metropolis. Instead of skyscrapers, you will be welcomed by old churches, vineyards and rustic cottages. This is the perfect spot for a romantic weekend, farm stay or a longer nature retreat.
Barossa Valley is first and foremost a wine region; so get your palate ready for some serious wine tours. The region boasts a variety of Australian wineries and boutique cellars like Jacobs Creek, Penfolds, Two Hands and Eden Valley. In total there are 60 wineries waiting for a visit. Some of them even offer food and beer! The larger and internationally recognized wineries in the Valley include Elderton Wines, Bethany Wines, Burge Family Winemakers, God’s Hill Wines, and Chateau Tanunda. If you are really passionate about wine, consider other exciting wine-centered activities like winemaking and master classes as well as historic winery tours.
The Barossa Valley is divided into several townships, which include Nuriootpa, Bethany, Tanunda, Angaston, Marananga, Seppeltsfield, and Lyndoch. Special festivals, gourmet weekends, musical concerts and other events, centering on the wine making tradition of the region, are celebrated throughout the year. Examples of these events are Barossa Under the Stars Concert, Melodienacht German music festival and Barossa Jazz Weekend. However, the grandest of them all is the Barossa Vintage Festival, which is Australia’s largest wine festival. It is held every two years in April, and features more than 100 events in a one-week celebration to the delight of local and international tourists.
If you happen to visit Barossa outside the mentioned events, don’t despair, as there is always something happening in the Valley. The Farmers Markets is a must-see event which is fortunately held every Saturday morning. Here, you get the chance to feast your eyes to various fresh produce grown in the region. Local communities also host regular movie screenings, theatre and dance performances.
Stay active while exploring Barossa, by trying cycling, horse riding and golfing at the Barossa Valley Golf Club. Test your vertical limits by going on a balloon flight or helicopter flight tour. These tours will surely let you enjoy the spectacular landscape of the Valley. If you are a highly independent soul, then you’re going to love the different self-guided tours. Each township in the region has its very own historic walk or heritage trail. Some of the popular ones are the Barossa Heritage Trail, which showcases the heritage landmarks and historic cellar doors; and Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail, which lets you to discover the best food and wine across the region.
There are plenty of accommodations throughout Barossa Valley that will suit most budgets. You can choose to stay at a cozy Bed and Breakfast or spend your precious time at a luxury resort like the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. The Tanunda Township, which is known for its strong German heritage, has the most number of lodging facilities in the Valley.
