Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Barossa
Here, life is rooted in the art of growing, making and sharing.
A love of providing and hosting runs deep in the Barossa, and you don’t have to look far to find evidence. It’s written right there in the endless sea of grapevines, painstakingly pruned, picked and protected, vintage after vintage for almost two centuries. You’ll find further proof on your dinner plate, handed to you by a chef who still smells faintly of the kitchen garden, where they’ve spent the afternoon foraging for fresh herbs. The breeze carries the sounds of clinking glasses and full tables; the comforting quiet between old friends and the overflow of conversation between new ones. This place, world-renowned for wining and dining, invites you in with arms wide open — so unearth the best of Tanunda, Angaston, Nuriootpa and everything that comes between, with our four-day Adelaide to the Barossa itinerary.
Travel note
The three main towns of the Barossa — Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa — are all located within easy driving distance of each other. This itinerary can be shortened, adjusted or completed in reverse.
Adelaide to Tanunda via Lyndoch
Drink deeply, meander slowly, and be swept up in the unhurried pace of life in the sleepy town of Tanunda.
Where to stay
Soft sheets and a steaming plunge pool await at Rogasch Cottage. This historic cottage has a few tricks up its sleeve, so pour a glass of the Barossa’s famous shiraz and spend an hour or two exploring the grounds — you might just stumble across an underground wine cellar, or a private driving range.
What to see and do
Settle in for a cuppa and a generous helping of country hospitality at Sunrise Bakery and Café, then spend the day hopping between cellar-doors at some of the Barossa’s most beloved wineries. Build your own cheese board at local favourite, David Franz, or visit Peter Lehmann to try the ‘Weighbridge platter’ — paired with your favourite drop, of course. Fill your glass with history and heritage at Château Tanunda or Jacob’s Creek, and indulge in paddock-to-plate dining at Hentley Farm.
Where to eat and drink
Where there’s good wine, you’ll inevitably find delicious food nearby. Tanunda’s main street is a gourmet smorgasbord, offering up everything from the fresh flavours of fermentAsian to the hearty fare of 1918 Bistro & Grill, and Vino Lokal’s Euro-inspired menu.
Tanunda to Angaston
Just ten minutes away, Angaston brims with farm-to-fork produce and country heritage.
Where to stay
As dusk descends over the Barossa, a deep quiet settles over Angaston Saleyards. This lush estate was once a thriving livestock hub, but today it houses a range of accommodation options across three separate buildings. Our pick? Book the two-bedroom Auction Shed to pad across heated bathroom floors and sink deeply into the spa bath, breaking the surface to reach for a glass of bubbles.
What to see and do
Saturday mornings in Angaston start with the sounds of neighbourly chatter and the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans. The Barossa Farmers Market is the place to fill your esky with farm-fresh fruit and veg, baked-this-morning sourdough, and home-grown goodies like honey and eggs — often sold by the same people who have tilled the earth and fed the livestock. After you’ve had a yarn with a few of the local stallholders, head to Barossa Valley Cheese Company to taste ripe wheels of camembert, then snap up your favourite sweets at Melba’s Chocolates. Stroll over lush lawns and through historic halls at 175-year-old winery, Yalumba, and sip bold shiraz and vibrant grenache in the cellar door.
Where to eat and drink
Sunrise Bakery and Café two days in a row? We won’t say no. Visit the Angaston location and take some time to mull over your decision — will you pick something new from the cabinet or resort to a childhood favourite? Brunch is served at Hive Barossa, where the coffee cups are generously sized and the food is piled high in classic, bountiful Barossa fashion. This evening, linger over aromatic dishes of chicken terrine, cured kingfish and roasted cauliflower at Otherness Wines, then wander down the street for a nightcap at Wanera Wine Bar.
Angaston to Nuriootpa
Past and present collide in Nuriootpa, home to centuries of winemaking history.
Where to stay
Sleep high above the vines at The Villas Barossa or bed down in unfettered luxury at The Louise. Step into your suite at The Louise and press pause on outside life — here, you can while away the hours amongst downy pillows and sun-dappled sheets; lounge under olive trees in your private courtyard; or sit down to a lavish dining experience at the onsite restaurant, Appellation. Top it all off with spectacular sunset views over the surrounding vineyards, and you’ve got a Mediterranean-inspired paradise in the heart of wine country.
What to do
Today you’ll be tasting one of the Barossa’s most unique legacies, a century in the making. Amble through the sprawling Seppeltsfield Estate, under shady walkways and through storybook gardens, to the illustrious cellar at the heart of this historic village. Here, casks of tawny line the room, each oak barrel safeguarding treasure inside — fortified wine that dates all the way back to 1878. Taste 100-year-old liquid gold, then cruise under Seppeltsfield Road’s iconic ‘avenue of palms’ and towards the culinary home of one of Australia’s most beloved chefs at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop.
Where to eat and drink
Settle in around the lunch table at Staġuni. A meal here feels like returning home after a long time away — the restaurant is all about home-cooked and home-grown, with an unfussy menu paying homage to head chef, Clare Falzon’s, Maltese heritage. Fine-dining can be found at Fino, located within the heritage walls of Seppeltsfield Estate, and boutique gin is quaffed at Seppeltsfield Road Distillers nearby.
Return to Adelaide
Rise, shine and follow winding roads back to Adelaide.
FAQs
What is the best time of year to visit?
Year-round, the Barossa offers up a rich bounty. Summers are generally warm and dry, with the mercury regularly climbing above 35 degrees between December and February. Autumn brings a cool change and a distinct buzz in the air — grapes are harvested and peak winemaking season, known as ‘vintage’, begins. Temperatures drop in winter, making for crisp, misty mornings and cosy evenings spent around crackling fireplaces with a generous glass of red wine in-hand. Spring brings bud-burst to the vineyards, and sunny days well-spent over long lunches.
How many days do I need?
The Barossa is just 50 minutes from Adelaide — so a day trip is possible, but a few nights in the region will allow you to travel slowly and immerse yourself deeply.
How can I get around?
There are plenty of ways to get to and around the Barossa. Self-driving is a great option if you want to explore at your own pace, but public transport, ride-share and taxis are also available between Adelaide and the Barossa (although you may need to book ahead of time). Guided tours can also take you between cellar doors and behind-the-scenes of the Barossa, by car, bike or air balloon.
