The Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is probably one of the most evocative places in Australia. The mere mention of its name conjures up images of sun-drenched afternoons sitting in some gently scenic location sipping a robust red or a wonderful white. It’s no wonder it features so prominently on your Big Lap itinerary!

The Barossa is approximately 70 kilometres north east of Adelaide, an easy hour’s drive from the South Australian capital. It’s a staggering fact that more than 20 per cent of Australia’s wine is made in the Barossa, helped mainly by a simply superb climate for viticulture.

The region’s most famous wines are the Barossa Shiraz, which is the product of the warm, low-lying Barossa Valley; and the Eden Valley Riesling, which owes its success to the higher, cool climate of the Eden Valley.

The major drawcard for most visitors is the chance to tour the area’s myriad of wineries, both small and large, sampling the produce at the cellar door. It’s a wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon and the majority of visitors are generally impressed by the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that seems to pervade. Of course, if you’re in the mood for some serious sampling it is essential that you take an organised tour or let your more restrained partner do the driving.

While wine will always be the headline act in this part of the world, there is a lot more to the Barossa than that. Arts and crafts seem to fit naturally with the region’s attractive little towns, and there are numerous galleries and studios to enjoy.

The Barossa Valley is a wonderful place to explore at a leisurely pace. There is always something interesting or quirky to capture your attention.

And then there is the scenery itself. It’s no wonder so many artists have been inspired to settle here. There are several magnificently scenic drives to take and a number of excellent parks and reserves.

The Para Wirra Park is major recreation area and it simply explodes into life during spring when golden wattles and native wildflowers bloom; bushwalkers and birdwatchers are drawn to Warren Conservation Park which also offers panoramic views across the Barossa; the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park – nestled in the Barossa Ranges – features creeks, rocky granite outcrops and low lying forests; and wildlife and birdlife abound in the scenic conservation parks at Hale and Sandy Creek.

Unfortunately, there is no camping at any of these parks but there are many top caravan parks dotted around the Barossa Valley to pull up for a few days or for a few weeks. Let’s face it … after a hard day’s wine sampling, you’re not going to want to have to go too far to find your bed. Cheers!

Quirky Barossa facts (courtesy of the South Australian Tourism Commission)

• The region was named ‘Barrosa’ (meaning ‘Hill of Roses’) by the SA colony’s Surveyor –General Colonel William Light, after the site of a victory by the English over the French in the Spanish Peninsula War. Misspelling on later mps gave it the unique Australian name ‘Barossa’.
• Yalumba Winery in Angaston, established by Samuel Smith in 1849, is the oldest continuously family owned winery in Australia.
• Feel like whispering? Then head to the Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir to get your message across. The perfect acoustics of the curved reservoir wall create a phenomenon that means someone standing on the far side 140 metres away can hear your every word.
• And nearby at the Barossa Goldfields, you can get an insight into the Barossa’s heady, rip-roaring gold rush days – imagine that in c1868 there were approx 10,000 frenetic fortune hunters in this small area. Today, there are sign-posted walking trails through the Goldfields.

•  Your thoughts on this story? Email us