If your idea of a good time involves devouring sensational food made from local produce and sampling flavourful wines against a backdrop of fabulous views, make your way to the Barossa Valley.
An hour’s drive from Adelaide, the area has everything you would expect from a world famous wine region: acres of vines spread across the hills, premium wines and celebrated restaurants, but it also owes much of its appeal to its rich European heritage. European peasant farmers and English free settlers chose the area in the1850s and this is reflected in the food, festivals, stone buildings, quaint villages, lovely churches and antique galleries.
The Barossa is the home of Maggie Beer, one of Australia’s favourite cooks and writers, and a supporter of Barossa regional cuisine. At Maggie’s Farm Shop in Nuriootpa , try her famous Pheasant Farm pate and have lunch overlooking the lake. Then enjoy the aromas of the wines at Langmeil, one of the oldest commercial wineries in Australia. The vines are 150 years old and still produce Shiraz grapes.
Drive to Mengler Hill Lookout, east of Tanunda and west of Angaston. You’ll see a patchwork of farms and vineyards as well as lots of church spires. The road continues as the scenic route to Angaston. Catch a great view of the valley by flying above it in a hot-air balloon or, if you want to work up an appetite for your next meal, take a cycling tour of the region.
Celebrate your inner foodie by joining the locals at the Barossa Farmers Market, in the warehouse behind Vintners Bar and Grill, at the corner of Stockwell and Nuriootpa Roads, Angaston. It’s on every Saturday morning from 7.30am until 11.30am and boasts real food from the homes and farms of the Barossa.
If you like beautiful gardens as well as food, don’t miss the Lyndoch Lavender Farm and Cafe, situated in the lower Barossa Ranges. More than 60 varieties of lavender grow in the display garden. You can buy some lavender oil but don’t stop there; surprise yourself with lavender-flavoured foods like lavender jelly, lavender chutney and – if you’re game – lavender mustard. The farm is surrounded by vineyards and overlooks Hoffnungsthal where a group of German immigrants settled in 1847.
Continue on to the Chateau Tanunda, a central landmark in the Barossa. Built in 1888, the massive French-style chateau can store five million litres of wine. Here you’ll find the Barossa Small Winemakers Centre – a showcase for wines of the region’s small independent winemakers with more than 50 wines from over 20 wineries. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on some rare and distinctive wines not found anywhere else.
What better way to complete the experience than some great music? The Peter Lehman winery hosts the annual ‘A Day on the Green’ concert event with some big-name acts. Another great event is ‘Barossa Under the Stars’ in February each year. Held at various locations in the valley, you can enjoy quality entertainment (past performers include Elton John and Rod Stewart), fine food and wine all under the Barossa's star-filled skies.
For another ear-tingling treat, visit the Barossa Reservoir and Whispering Wall at Williamstown. The Whispering Wall is a perfect ellipse and allows sounds whispered at one end to be heard 140m away at the other end. Built in 1902, the wall is 39m high and apart from being a fascinating attraction, you’ll also get scenic views of the Barossa Reservoir.
Williamstown is also an ideal base for exploring, with great walking trails and the beautiful parks of the scenic Barossa Valley. On your way back from the Barossa to Adelaide, make a final stop at Parra Wira Recreation Park in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The park has good facilities and lots of native flora and fauna, so give passing emus the nod while you enjoy your picnic lunch.
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