Barossa
Charles Melton Winery, Tanunda, Barossa, SA. Photo credit: Mike Annese/South Australian Tourism Commission
Barossa
Two centuries of German and British influence. One fascinating region of great food and even better wine. Plan your trip to Barossa.
You can drive the 60km from Adelaide to Barossa in less than 2hrs.
Home to the famed wines of the Barossa Valley, the area was settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. As a result there’s a strong Lutheran tradition here, with churches in abundance.
Tanunda and Angaston are the more ‘touristy’ towns. Tanunda’s German heritage is still evident, as is Angaston’s English influence (many Cornish miners settled here).
For a fascinating mix of the two, visit the area’s largest town, Nuriootpa.
Visiting Barossa
Whispering Wall
Stand at the curved wall (which is actually the dam of Barossa Reservoir) and send a friend around 100m further along the wall. Now whisper something…
It’s open every day, and in addition to trading whispers you can learn about the history of the dam, built between 1899 and 1903.
Herbig Tree, Springton
This hollow red gum tree is between 300 and 500 years old. In 1855 it became the home of Friedrich Herbig, newly arrived from Germany.
Three years later he married Caroline, yet continued to live in the tree with his wife. Their first two children were born there but as the family expanded (they had 16 children in total) they outgrew their surroundings. Friedrich built a hut and later a stone cottage. Herbig family reunions still take place at the tree every few years.
Lyndoch Lavender Farm and Café
You’ll never look at lavender in the same way again after visiting this working lavender farm where over 90(!) varieties are grown. You’ll also find birds, butterflies, blue tongue lizards, bearded dragons and wallabies.
The Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail
Pick up a voucher book for the trail from the Visitor Information Centre in Gawler and receive a souvenir hamper and a bottle of wine worth $20. The voucher book costs $65 but contains $200 worth of vouchers to help you experience the very best of Barossa’s food and wine.
The Barossa Farmers’ Market
Fabulous local produce from the Vintners Sheds near Angaston (every Saturday morning 7.30 – 11.30).
Barossa Vintage Festival
It only happens every two years (odd numbers only) and lasts for 9 days. If you’re visiting Barossa during that time and you’re lucky enough to catch the food and drink, art and craft, music, literature and heritage events, you’re in for a treat.
NAB Barossa Gourmet Weekend, Tanunda
Two dozen (and counting) local wineries serve fine food with wine to match. There’s live music too.
The wonderful wines of Oz
Barossa isn’t called the wine capital of Oz for nothing. And if that’s the case, its Emerald City is the Langmeil Winery in Tanunda.
One of Australia’s oldest wineries, the Freedom 1843 Shiraz is said to be the oldest surviving Shiraz in the world.
There are 150 wineries in the region, some famed for their fortified wines. Find some of the best at Grant Burge Illaparra, also in Tanunda.
Barossa/Barrosa?
Barossa and its valley were derived from the Barossa Ranges which travel up the eastern side of the valley.
These in turn were named after the 1811 Battle of Barrosa, which took place in Spain.
Rather endearingly, a clerical error meant that the area would forever have an extra ‘s’ and one less ‘r’.
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