A perfect weekend in Barossa Valley
Our perfect weekend in Barossa Valley begins with driving through the Adelaide Hills. If you’re coming from Adelaide city, take the scenic drive winding along Gorge Road through Cudlee Creek, Kersbrook and Williamstown. If you’re around on a Saturday morning, you can catch delicious locally grown and made produce at the Barossa Farmers Market in Angaston open from 7:30 to 11:30am.
Follow this up with lunch at one of the many cellar doors and cafes. You can get a really good value feed me option at Harvest Kitchen. There are many cafes in Tanunda such as Black Bird Coffee House, Keils and Darlings Cafe. In the southern end of the Valley, we recommend The Table Cafe and Vintage Chef Co.
For a feed of traditional German-style food, you can’t go past Apex Bakery in Tanunda (open weekdays and Saturdays). Try the salt sticks, pretzels, streusel cake and our family favourite beinenstich (bee sting cake) – a classic Bavarian cake made with brioche dough, pastry cream or custard, topped with a honey-almond mixture. You can also find Barossa Valley Ice Cream and Browns Barossa Gourmet Donuts to stock up on sweet treats.
Now it’s time to explore delicious drinks amongst the 90 cellar doors and a growing number of breweries and distilleries. Many places now take bookings for paid tastings so book ahead allowing enough time to tantalise your taste buds. Take your pick of places to visit just as long as Liebichwein is on your itinerary.
For a weekend dinner, make sure you book ahead as restaurants get busy. We recommend Ferment Asian and Char Barossa in Tanunda, Vintners in Angaston and The Lord Lyndoch just down the road.
Drives – Menglers Hill, Steingarten Road through to Trial Hill Road, Seppeltsfield and Greenock for village atmosphere and the famous palm trees that line the roads
Walks – Kaiserstuhl, Steingarten Road. There are many useful maps and information from this walking trails website.
Bike rides – The Mawson Trail goes past our driveway and winds further up Steingarten Road. There is a sealed bike trail going through Rowland Flat into Tanunda. There is a useful Barossa By Bike map available on the Barossa Council website. You’ll find handy facilities next to the Barossa Tourism office in Tanunda for public showers and toilets.
For a drink between meals or after dark, head to local wine bar Z Wines on the main street in Tanunda. You’ll find platters for the whole family and local acoustic entertainment in a comfy atmosphere.
There is plenty to do for families. We recommend the Barossa Adventure Station for a fun playground and picnic areas, Barossa Bowland for bowling and dinosaur minigolf. Don’t forget the wonders of the Whispering Wall part of the dam wall located in the Barossa Reservoir Reservoir known for its unique acoustic effects. Words whispered at one side can be clearly heard on the other, more than 100 metres away. Check out the Play and Go website for detailed family-friendly guides for the Barossa region.
Only one hour by car from Adelaide, Barossa Valley is the perfect weekend escape for wine and food lovers. Check out the Barossa Guidebook for more information.
