This post was first published in 2014 and has since been updated with more tips to fully experience the Barossa Valley Wineries.

Visiting South Australia was never high on our priority list when we were living in Australia. We didn’t know much about this region, so didn’t feel like we were missing out. But we were!

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South Australia is a vibrant and culturally rich part of Australia with a lot to explore. So when our friends invited us to join them for a weekend in South Australia’s famous wine region – Barossa Valley, we eagerly said YES!

Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley, South Australia
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Our trip to Barossa Valley was so much more than we expected! If you love wine, good food, and stunning views, then Barossa is for you!

Here is what we discovered on our trip and what you need to know to plan your getaway to Barossa.

Where is Barossa Valley Located?

Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, about 70kms north of Adelaide. The region spans the area of about 900 square km and connects the towns of Nuriootpa, Tanunda, and Angaston.  

guide to van life
Driving down Barossa Valley Way

If you choose to travel to Barossa Valley by car, the trip will only take about an hour. Adelaide to Barossa Valley by bus will take a little longer, around 1.5hrs, but the extra 30 mins are well worth the lower carbon emissions of traveling on public transport.

How Much Should You Budget?

Despite the fact that visiting Barossa Valley wineries is at the top of lists of things to do in the Barossa, spending a few days in Barossa doesn’t have to break the bank.

Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley, South Australia

There are plenty of things to do in Barossa Valley and it is a place worth the splurge. Your relaxed budget might look like this:

Transportation – $20-50/day

Hiring a car is the most common transportation option those visiting the region, and it will set you back by about $40-50/day. But we recommend ditching the vehicle and opting to get around by bike instead. Not only will it be cheaper (bike rental will only cost $20 and many hotels even offer bikes for free), but it’s a much more eco-conscious way to get around.

Vineyard, Barossa Valley
Vineyard, Barossa Valley

You can visit whatever Barossa Valley wineries you want, stay for as long as you want, and not have to rely on a scheduled tour with a preset itinerary.

If you do decide to rent a car try to choose one which is fuel efficient to keep your carbon footprint as low as possible.

Accommodation – $50-$200/night

There are dozens of hotel and B&B options in Barossa Valley, ranging in price from budget friendly options at $50/night to some luxury stays on the higher end of the scale. See our recommendations below.

Food – $20-$30/meal

Most of the Barossa Valley wineries offer a small local food menu, ranging from cheese platters to little sandwiches and other snacks. They are great spots for lunch or early dinner.

If you are looking for some food outside the wineries, check out Barossa Valley restaurants Nosh or Pod Cafe – both come with a decent lunch menu, offering local and sometimes even organic options.

Lunch at Nosh, Barossa Valley, South Australua
Lunch at Nosh, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Amazing cheese platter at the Artisans of Barossa Winery, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Amazing cheese platter at the Artisans of Barossa Winery, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Wine Tasting – $100+

While wine tasting at Barossa Valley Wineries don’t cost anything, you will undoubtedly fall in love with some new varieties and brands of wine, that you’ll want to bring back home.

Prices range dramatically, from bottles as cheap as $9 to $1500, and more. Stock up where it makes sense. Most Barossa Valley wineries are happy to ship your purchases to your home in Australia or overseas.

Keep in mind that a lot of these brands are also widely distributed throughout Australia and can be purchased for the same price at the local Dan Murphy’s shop.

 
 
 
Wolf Blass Winery, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Wolf Blass Winery, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Of course, it is also very easy to spend a lot more. Between ‘souvenirs’ to remember your many Barossa Valley wine tours to the delicious food at Barossa Valley restaurants.

Where to Stay in Barossa Valley?

As mentioned above, there are lots of Barossa Valley accommodation options. During our visit, we stayed at the Light Pass House B&B.  

We really loved our stay at this beautiful Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1920s by an immigrant German family, this house retained a lot of the character, giving it a unique vintage feel. This 2 bedroom home, that can comfortably sleep up to 5-6 people, has a lovely garden, a cozy living room, a spotless bathroom, along with a laundry room, and a fully stocked kitchen!  It had everything we needed for a perfect weekend base to explore all the things to do in Barossa Valley.

 

Light Pass House B&B, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Light Pass House B&B, Barossa Valley, South Australia

 

It was a charming place to come home to in the evening. We loved curling up in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine, after a long day of cruising around the Barossa Valley wineries and checking out the towns.

Main bedroom in the Light Pass House, Barossa Valley
Main bedroom in the Light Pass House, Barossa Valley
Living room at the Light Pass House B&B, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Living room at the Light Pass House B&B, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Kitchen in the Light Pass House, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Kitchen in the Light Pass House, Barossa Valley, South Australia

*Our stay at the Light Pass House was partially subsidized, but opinions are, as always, our own. 

What To Do in Barossa Valley?

1. Visit the Barossa Valley Wineries

Wine has been a part of the culture and everyday life in Barossa Valley since 1842. You may have heard that Barossa Valley is famous for its wine, but what you might not know, is that this region is home to over 70 different wineries. Barossa Valley wine tours and tastings at each winery will take anywhere between 30min-1hr. 

Most wineries are opened for only 5-6 hours a day (from 10am-5pm), so you would need 10 full days of Barossa wine tours to explore them all. UNBELIEVABLE! Although, according to the Barossa Valley Information Centre, an average Barossa Valley visitor stays for only 1-2 days and visits only 5- 10 wineries.

Artisans of Barossa, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Artisans of Barossa, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Our advice, don’t try to plan your Barossa Valley wine tour route ahead of time. Start at the Barossa Valley Information Centre in Tanunda, they will happily advise you a few good starting options.

Alternatively, pick a winery that you are familiar with and start there. Tell the staff what you liked and didn’t like about the wines you tried and they will, without a doubt, recommend a few others wineries for you to add to your day’s itinerary. That’s the spirit of Barossa, a region where the winemakers promote the love for wine rather than their own brands.

In our opinion, the best Barossa  wineries were:

Yellow Label Moscato, Wolf Blass Winery
Wolf Blass Winery – for knowledgeable staff and their delicious Moscato
Yalumba Winery, Barossa Valley
Yalumba Winery – for their charming gardens and an intimate tasting room
View from Artisans of Barossa Winery, Barossa Valley
Artisans of Barossa Winery – for the best cheese platter and the best sunset of the weekend

2. Have lunch at Maggie Beer’s Farm

Maggie Beer is a household name in Australia and a visit to her farm is one of the delightful things to do in Barossa Valley that doesn’t revolve around wine! She’s a cook, a food author, a restaurant owner, and a member of the Order of Australia, for the promotion of Australian produce and cuisine.

Her farm in Barossa Valley is the place to see where it all began. There are decades of history on the walls and inviting smells in the Farm Shop. Here you can wander around and try just about every product made by Maggie Beer.

Peacock at the Maggie Beer Farm, Barossa Valley
Peacock at the Maggie Beer Farm
Cider at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, Barossa Valley
Cider at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop
Pate at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, Barossa Valley
Pate collection at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop
Sauce collection at Maggi Beer's Farm Shop, Barossa Valley
Sauce collection at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

Once you’ve found your favourite food, grab one of Maggie’s picnic fares and enjoy your lunch on the patio.

Picnic Fare at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, Barossa Valley
Picnic Fare at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop

Foodies looking for unique things to do in the Barossa can join a cooking class demonstration every day at 2pm to learn how to incorporate some of Maggie’s delicious ingredients in your own recipes.

3. Cruise down the Seppeltsfield Road

Seppeltsfield Road is a road lined with hundreds of palm trees, leading to the Seppeltsfield winery. This 10 km stretch is one of the most beautiful parts of Barossa. Stop along the road to appreciate and admire the views around you.

Seppeltsfields Road, Barossa Valley
Seppeltsfield Road, Barossa Valley

If you are lucky, you might even run into a few new friends along the way!

 
Up close and personal with a llama in Barossa Valley
Up close and personal with a llama in Barossa Valley
Sheep in Barossa Valley
Sheep in Barossa Valley

4. Relax, Unwind and Take in the Beauty of the Region

One of the most underrated yet necessary things to do in Barossa Valley is to just appreciate the area. You’ll be surrounded by lush vineyards sprawling under the bright rays of sun and clear blue skies. Slow down… appreciate the views, and take some photos to remember your trip to the Barossa Valley.

Vineard in Barossa Valley

Barossa Valley

View from the Barossa Sculpture Park, Tanunda

5. Take a Unique Wine Tour

Wine tours don’t have to be the same! We recommend the eco-friendly 1 hour segway winery tour which takes you behind the scenes of the historical Seppeltsfield Estate. The tour gives you access to areas usually out of bounds to the general public to give you an exclusive look at the 18th century winery.

Or, if you have more time, then why not take a full day boutique food and wine tour of the Barossa Valley. You’ll visit some of the most prestigious wineries in the Barossa Valley before stopping for an al fresco lunch, followed by even more impressive wines from Henschkes Winery, a fifth-generation winery. Definitely one for the wine connoisseur!

Have you ever visited Barossa Valley? What are some of your favourite things to do in Barossa Valley?

Read Next: Best Wine Regions In Australia

About The Author

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