Barossa Valley

The Barossa offers is arguably Australia's most famous wine region. The region has neat vineyards; food producers selling their wares at country markets, and old stone wineries with ornate gardens, home to winemakers only too keen to share their knowledge about the wine and the district with eager visitors. Then there is lovely old architecture and excellent arts and antique galleries and annual festivals and events which bring the Barossa Valley's great attributes together. And, best of all, the Barossa Valley is only an hour's drive from Adelaide.

Be sure to take a winery tour or get aloft above the valley in a hot-air balloon. And make your lunch from a selection of German wursts and cakes from the food shops plus a budget bottle of red from any of the vineyard cellar door sales outlets.

Barossa Valley winery attractions include everything from tiny boutique wineries to the new $5 million Wolf Blass Visitor Centre and household name vineyards such as, Seppelt, Yaldara and Yalumba. Chateau Yaldara has a new cafe and larder; while the magnificently restored Chateau Tanunda has a cricket oval and croquet lawn, as well as the Barossa Small Winemakers Centre; Food afficianados will find Maggie' Beers gourmet products and award-winning books at her Farm Shop near Nuriootpa, overlooking a scenic lake.

From 7:30 every Saturday morning the Barossa Farmers Market, located just behind Vintners Bar & Grill near Angaston, boasts real food from homes and farms of the Barossa Valley. The German food heritage is particularly strong, but there are tastes and treats from the cuisines of many nations.

Barossa Valley Tourist Information: www.barossa-region.org