Barossa Valley Overview
The Barossa Valley, less than an hour from Adelaide, is an area of softly rolling hills forming shallow fertile valleys which combine with the perfect South Australian Mediterranean climate to produce one of the best wine producing regions in Australia.
The Barossa Valley is also at the top of many Australians favourite holiday destinations since it combines beautiful countryside, picturesque villages as well as fine food and wine.
The Barossa Valley is a working wine region in every sense of the word.
Cosy restaurants, cellar doors, hotels and resorts seamlessly blend in with vineyards and the business of producing top quality wine.
These are often combined with the tourism experience enabling you to both taste the product and learn something about making wine from grape cultivation to fermentation, blending, storing, labeling and bottling.
Cellar Doors
Barossa Valley wineries usually have 'Cellar Doors' where you will be able to try and purchase the wine.
The Cellar doors range in size from small and cosy to elaborate complexes which may include restaurants, bistros, picnic areas, winery tours, courtyards, museums and even accommodation.
Extensive Area
The Barossa Valley has thirty or so wineries in around a 20 by 10 km (12 x 6 mile) area which stretches from Lyndoch in the south west to Stockwell in the north east.
There are several ways to get around which even includes mountain biking for the more adventurous.
Private and group-driven tours are popular as they allow you to relax AND drink wine without having to worry about how much you have had.
These usually include a winery tour, cellar door wine tastings and lunch.
German Influence
The Barossa Valley was originally settled by German Lutheran farmers in the 1830's who not only planted grape vines but also brought with them their wine making knowledge and unique and rich culture.
The Germanic influence is much in evidence and continues today.
One of the Barossa Valleys biggest hills is named Kaiserstuhl, there is a Siegesdorf Street, some wineries (such as Krondhorf Wines) which date back to the 1840's, as well as authentic restaurants, traditional bakeries, churches and houses.
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are relaxing to the eye; a picturesque unspoiled landscape comprising of farmlands, orchards and gardens.
From the highest point at Mount Lofty, the areas' beauty can be appreciated with breath-taking views across the valley.
Half Australia 's Wine Production
South Australia produces around half of all the wine made in Australia and much of this comes from the Barossa Valley and neighbouring Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek regions.
As well as producing fruit to satisfy the 'local' demand, the area also produces grapes used in wine production elsewhere in Australia.
Barossa Valley accommodation
See Barossa Valley accommodation for hotels and resorts.
Location
The Barossa Valley is located in the south east of South Australia, to the north east of Adelaide and has a Latitude of 34.5°S and a Longitude of 139.0° E.
Driving To Adelaide
Some approximate driving times to The Barossa Valley:
1Hr From Adelaide (60Km)
10Hrs From Melbourne (800Km) )
16Hrs From Sydney (1400Km) )
See Route and Distance Calculator for more accurate driving times and routes from additional locations.
Flying To Adelaide:
Adelaide Airport has both international and domestic terminals and is around 6km (4 miles) west of the city. By car, the journey into the city should take approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Taxis, hire cars airport buses are available.
As a guide, the approximate flying time from Adelaide
to Perth is 3.25 hours,
to Sydney 2 hours
to Melbourne 1.25 hours
to Brisbane 4.5 hour
to Cairns 6 hours.
Times do not include travel time to and from airports and adequate time prior to check in etc.
Hanhdorf
Hanhdorf is indubitably one of most popular overnight stops in the region.
This pretty Germanesque village embraces you with its traditions and friendliness, and flaunts its mouth-watering delights of its homemade cakes.
South Australia School & Public Holidays
New Years Day Tue 1st Jan.
Australia Day Mon 28th Jan.
Adelaide Cup Day Mon 10th March
Good Friday 21st March.
Easter Monday 24th March.
Anzac Day Fri 25th April.
Queens Birthday Holiday Mon 9th June.
Labour Day Mon 6th Oct.
Christmas Day Thu 25th Dec.
Boxing Day Holiday Fri 26th Dec.
(End and start school on preceding and next week day (Mon - Fri) respectively)
Easter Holiday 10th April To 26th April.
Winter Holiday 4th July To 19th July.
Spring Holiday 26th Sept To 11th Oct.
Summer Holiday 12nd Dec To Jan 26th
Starts Sunday 5th October
Ends 5th April 2009
Note: Dates for guidance only. Always check with your individual School as variations may occur for individual education authorities or establishments and dates may be subject to change. Always check with relevant State or Territory education department to confirm holiday periods at the commencement of each school year. Not all Public Holidays for individual regions within each state and territory are shown and public holidays falling on weekends are not listed. Not all Public Holidays may be applicable to all employers, organisations etc so always check with your employer, education authority etc which public holidays are applicable.
Barossa Valley Climate
These figures are for guidance only:
Approximate Max Average Temperature
Deg C/ Deg F
Winter(June-Aug):15 / 60
Spring(Sep-Nov):21 / 69
Summer(Dec-Feb):27 / 80.5
Autumn(Mar-May):22 / 71.
Approximate Average Monthly Rainfall - mm
Winter(June-Aug): 65
Spring(Sep-Nov): 40
Summer(Dec-Feb): 21
Autumn(Mar-May): 45
