The Barossa Valley is world famous for its wineries, but the whole region is full of delightful distractions for your designated driver as well. Jump in a Hertz rental, buckle up and take a ride out of Adelaide to the vine-covered hills of the Barossa, you won’t regret it.
Stop 1: Gawler
Just forty kilometres out of Adelaide is one of Australia’s oldest towns, Gawler. It retains a lot of historical charm and is the perfect place to pause for a cuppa and a wander about. In the Old Station Masters House, you’ll find the Gawler Community Gallery, which showcases the works of local artists and craftspeople.
The Old Telegraph Station Museum is worth a look too, with a fascinating variety of artefacts from the town’s long history. Check out the Alchemy Cafe (they do great smoothies and have a range of amazing vegan treats as well) and get back on the road refreshed.
Stop 2: Tanunda
There’s a winery everywhere you turn in this part of the world, each with their own charms, but if you only have time for a couple of them, the Chateau Tanunda is a must-see. From the elegant mansion on the grounds to the tours through rooms of hundreds of barrels of wine, they’re a beacon of hospitality in a region that has an international reputation for it. Pick up a bottle of their award-winning Shiraz from 100-year-old vines for a special occasion from their cellar door, or enjoy some fine dining on site.
Stop 3: Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park
About halfway between Angaston and Tanunda, there is the beautiful Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. If you feel like stretching your legs, there’s an easy one-hour loop walk called the Stringybark Hike, where kangaroos are often seen, hopping about the beautiful bushland scenery.
Stop 4: Angaston
Scenic Angaston is home to one of the world’s most famous Australian wineries – Yalumba. Even if you don’t fancy a tipple the stately grounds and highly acclaimed restaurant are worth visiting, and if you do, their cellar door offering is second to none. Once you’ve selected a few bottles for the cellar, you should pay a visit to the Barossa Valley Cheese Company for some matched fromage – their Cheese cellar has not just cheeses, but delicious gourmet treats from all over the region to stock your larder.
Stop 5: Eden Valley
Proclaimed by the locals as “The Garden of Grapes and Gums”. This scenic borough has a cooler climate and higher altitude than the rest of the region, allowing the vines here to produce some truly unique varietals. It’s home to fine crafts too – one of the most unique to visit is The Woodcarver's Haven, makers and sellers of traditional rocking horses and other amazing wooden items. Pick up an heirloom to treasure for generations, or join one of their classes to learn to make your own.
The Barossa Valley hosts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year, and it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular – it is the perfect place for a getaway that pleases all the senses.
