BUG - Backpackers Guide to the Barossa Valley wine region, South Australia

The valley is easy to explore: just 30km long by 14 km wide. The centre of the Barossa is the area bounded by the valley's three main towns, Angaston, Nurioopta and Tanunda; although it extends further south towards Lyndoch.

Tanunda is the cultural heart of the Barossa and it is perhaps the most centrally located of the towns in the Barossa and is home to some good pubs and camping grounds. Most of the Barossa is situated within easy cycling distance from Tanunda.

North of Tanunda, Nurioopta is the more modern commercial centre of the valley while Angaston, 6km east of Nurioopta, retains a more historic ambience.

Practical Information

Barossa Visitor Information Centre

66 Murray Street, Tanunda

Tel 1800 812 662

Website www.barossa-region.org

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & Going

The Barossa Valley is close enough to Adelaide to make an easy day-trip. If you're driving follow the Sturt Highway and take the Nurioopta turn-off. However a car won't be much use if you want to indulge in wine tasting when you get there and you may decide to travel to the Barossa by bus or to take a day tour.

Barossa Adelaide Passenger Service (tel (08) 8564 3022) operates an infrequent bus service connecting Angaston, Lyndoch, Nurioopta and Tanunda with Adelaide. The bus departs from the central bus station at Franklin Street in Adelaide. A one-way ticket costs around $11.90 between Adelaide and Tanunda.

Alternatively, you may choose to take a tour starting in Adelaide. There is a good choice of day tours as well as a few that allow you to stay over at a hostel in the Barossa and rejoin the return leg a day or two later.

Oz Experience buses visit the Barossa Valley on their Adelaide to Alice Springs route.

Another option is the day tour offered by Groovy Grape Getaways (tel 1800 66 11 77; website www.groovygrape.com.au). For $65 Groovy Grape's trips take in a few wineries and include a barbecue lunch. Tours run seven days a week and depart Glenelg at 7.15am with pickups in Adelaide City at 7.45am.

Local Transport

Although driving is usually the best way to get around rural areas like the Barossa, it's not a good idea since you're not going to appreciate it without stopping for a drink or three – especially since the local police are extremely vigilant when it comes to drink driving.

A better idea is to rent a bicycle from the Bunkhaus hostel near Nurioopta or the bicycle rental companies in Tanunda. The valley is small enough to make cycling the most enjoyable way to get around.

Accommodation

Barossa Bunkhaus

Corner Barossa Valley Way and Nuraip Road, Nurioopta

Tel (08) 8562 2260

Eating & Drinking

Sampling the region's wine is the main reason to visit the Barossa. The best way to do this is to rent a bicycle and cycle from one winery to the next, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. You can pick up picnic supplies at the supermarkets at any of the towns in the valley and many of the wineries have picnic areas where you can enjoy their wine.

If you prefer beer to wine, both Angaston and Tanunda have excellent pubs.

Sights

Although the main attraction in the Barossa Valley is sampling wine at the many wineries, the valley also holds a few other attractions.

Mengler Hill Lookout

Although Mengler Hill Lookout is not a huge must-see attraction, this lookout, located east of Tanunda offers sweeping views of the Barossa Valley. It's a pretty steep hill and a hard ride if you're cycling so you really need your own car to get here however many of the day tours to the Barossa also visit this lookout.

Mengler Hill Road, near Tanunda

Admission free

Norm's Coolies

For something completely different you can watch a performance by trained sheepdogs.

Breezy Gully Farm, Gomersal Road, near Tanunda

Tel (08) 8563 2198

Admission $8

Performances Mon, Wed, Sat 2pm