Destination guides > Australia > South Australia > Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley
The Barossa is one of Australia’s major wine-producing areas with 45 wineries producing about a quarter of Australia’s total vintage.
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 Valley Coaches (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). For $75 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 centre 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 one of the bicycle rental companies in Tanunda. The valley is small enough to make cycling the most enjoyable way to get around. Bike About (tel 0413 525 733) hire bikes from Novotel Barossa Valley Resort (Golf Links Road, Rowland Flat) and Barossa Secrets (91 Murray Street, Tanunda). Bikes cost $18.50 for half a day and $30 for a full day.
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.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
The main attraction in the Barossa Valley is visiting the many wineries. There are also some nice vantage points to see the local scenery.
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
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