Barossa Valley, South Australia travel guide and things to do: 20 reasons to love it

Wine is the big drawcard in the Barossa Valley. Credit: Nathan Dyer

1. EAT FARM FRESH

Elli Beer, youngest daughter of gourmet guru Maggie Beer, knows a thing or two about good food. So does former Southern Ocean Lodge chef Tim Bourke, who is working the pans at Beer's new casual-dining outlet. No surprise, then, that The Farm Eatery has quickly become a favourite lunch spot for locals, who eagerly tuck into delicious dishes such as salt-baked beetroot with buttermilk ricotta and lemon thyme. If you have a sweet tooth, save room for the buckwheat and wild fennel caramels. thefarmeatery.com.au

2. DOUBLE DOWN ON CHOCOLATE + WINE

The Barossa Valley.

Love chocolate and wine, but never tried the two together? Then get yourself over to the top-rated Elderton Wines. At their lovely cellar door, housed in the 100-year-old family homestead, the Elderton team offers a two-shot tasting that brings these two favourite indulgences together. Other tasting experiences include a master class in the Barossa's most famous wine, shiraz. Alternatively, just enjoy a glass of wine by the fire, or stop in for a shot from their in-house espresso bar. eldertonwines.com.au/

3. SAVOUR A SCHOONER AND A SNAG

Next time you are driving through the historic township of Greenock, take a second look at that pretty stone cottage on the corner. It is actually a boutique brewery, Greenock Brewers, with a small but interesting range of beers, from blonde pilsener to dark ale, all made in accordance with the regulations of Germany's beer purity law, in force since 1516. On a fine day, pick up some steaks or sausages before you drop by; you can grill them over the outdoor barbecue. greenockbrewersbarossavalley.com.au/

4. FIX THAT CAFFEINE CRAVING

At Barossa Coffee Roasters, they are serious about keeping things fresh. Not only do they roast their seasonal blends every week; they regularly remove old stock from their various outlets, replacing it with freshly ground beans. One of the best places to savour a freshly brewed cup made with their beans is the charming Fleur Social cafe in Nuriootpa. It is a hybrid of a coffee shop and a florist, an idea we think is blooming marvellous!fleursocial.com.au/

5. SAY CHEESE

There is no such thing as a bad time to visit the Barossa Cheese Company, but visit during spring and summer and you are in for a particular treat. During the warmer months, their usual range of bries, blues and cheddars welcomes a new addition: goat's milk cheeses. Not a fan? Then try La Dame, a goat's milk cheese that has converted even the most sceptical. Alternatively, for something completely different, sign up for a cheese and tea pairing experience – yes, really. barossacheese.com.au

6. CELEBRATE GIN O'CLOCK

Pink gin? Yes please! The Barossa Distilling Company's prettiest drop is the rose-hued Budburst, which draws its colour from Australian native ingredients, and some of its fruity kick from a good dash of white frontignac wine. It is not the only gin in their range to draw inspiration from the surrounding vineyards: their Generations Dry Gin uses toasted French oak – typically used in wine barrels – in the distilling process. They also stock a range of craft spirits from around Australia, making this a great place for a pre-dinner drink. barossadistilling.com

7. SAY HELLO TO A KANGAROO

You might think the Barossa is all about vineyards, but there is plenty of bush, too. Lace up your walking shoes and discover it for yourself on a stroll through the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. Come early in the morning or in the late afternoon when the roos emerge from among the ghost gums and start grazing on the wild grasses. It is a great opportunity to get wild without going too far off the grid. environment.sa.gov.au/parks

8. FEAST ON AWARD-WINNING CUISINE

The word "overachievers" comes to mind when talking about Hentley Farm. Not content with producing some of the Barossa's most acclaimed wines, they can also boast one of the area's best restaurants. Chef Lachlan Colwill's multi-course degustation takes diners on a serious gourmet adventure, starting with bite-sized morsels – perhaps a lightly poached quail egg on a puffed quinoa cracker – and progressing on to dishes such as kangaroo loin with wild fennel, salt baked parsnip puree and black garlic.hentleyfarm.com.au

9. ENJOY BREAKFAST IN BED

Country escapes don't come much classier than The Louise. Set amid thigh-high lavender plantings, this all-suite property offers a laidback take on luxury, with understated interiors, king beds, spa baths and outdoor showers. In winter, curl up in front of the open fire; in the summer, laze by the outdoor pool. Food fans will find plenty to enjoy, from the continental breakfast delivered to your room to dinner at the in-house Appellation restaurant, one of the area's recommended dining experiences. thelouise.com.au

10. BECOME A COUCH POTATO

Wine tasting is not always a comfortable experience: some places make you stand at the bar, or perch on a high stool. Not at Yelland and Papps. These bold young winemakers are known for doing things differently, and their tasting room is actually a whole house, decked out like a family home. Take a seat on one of the comfy sofas and be prepared to discover something new: Yelland and Papps' range of more than two dozen wines includes unusual drops such as vermentino and roussanne.yellandandpapps.com/

11. BUY FARM-FRESH

The early birds get the best buys at the Barossa Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning at Angaston. Grab a bite from the Breakfast Bar, which serves up everything from poached pears to burgers, or pick up some pastries from Eleni Barossa Handmade. Apart from fruit and veg, stallholders also sell honey, preserves, olive oil, herbal teas, cheese and much more. barossafarmersmarket.com/

12. PACK A SUNSET PICNIC

Team your market-bought goodies with a bottle of local wine and you have the makings of a perfect picnic. Where to enjoy it? Wait until late afternoon and head to Menglers Hill Lookout near Angaston. Take a stroll through the sculpture park – with artworks created by both local and international artists – before choosing a scenic spot from which to watch the sun sink over the valley.

13. TUCK INTO A PLATE OF HANDMADE PASTA

Every neighbourhood should have a friendly eatery like Casa Carboni. Stop in for a coffee in the morning and you will see freshly-rolled pasta hanging up to dry while Matteo Carboni bastes the meat for that night's meal. "There is no menu; it's whatever I feel like cooking," says the indefatigable Carboni, who runs his entire kitchen solo. The cooking classes are also recommended. casacarboni.com.au

14. DISCOVER ARTISANS AT WORK

There is a lot to see and do at Seppeltsfield Winery, but one of the most intriguing attractions is the Jam Factory. Housed in a heritage barn, this outpost of Adelaide's famous design and craft centre hosts a range of exhibitions and has a superb shop where you can buy everything from beautiful blown glass objets to a designer knife. The highlight, however, is the opportunity to stroll through the studios and chat with the ceramicists and other artisans while they work. seppeltsfield.com.au

15. ENJOY AN ASIAN SENSATION

Fermentasian may be the Barossa's most surprising restaurant. Perched on a quiet corner in Tanunda, this sophisticated restaurant showcases the food of northern Vietnam, less spicy than its better-known southern counterpart, but just as flavour-packed. Don't miss the squid with sorrel and coriander, the tommyruff with green mango salad, and an utterly irresistible pork belly. Just as impressive is the encyclopaedic wine list: ask the sommelier to recommend a top drop.fermentasian.com.au

16. HANG WITH THE HIPSTERS

Sydney has Marrickville, Melbourne has Fitzroy and Nuriootpa has Home of the Brave, a cellar door slash hangout that is the Barossa's hipster haven. Think industrial chic, tapas-style plates, an eclectic soundtrack and, of course, plenty of wine. There is something here for every taste, from the light and fruity Endless Summer pinot grigio to the softly rounded Mother's Milk shiraz. The colourful names are part of the fun: anyone for a drop of Does Your Dog Bite syrah?facebook.com/pages/The-Home-of-the-Brave/

17. LINGER OVER A LATE BREAKFAST

Because if you can't enjoy a late breakfast on holiday, when can you? We love Tanunda's Red Door Espresso not only because it serves up breakfast until 3pm, but also for a menu chock full of decadent delights, including salted caramel waffles, lemon curd crepes and eggs benedict with smoked salmon and potato hotcakes. If the weather is fine, the courtyard is the place to be. reddoorespresso.com

18. BAG A BARGAIN

Here is a little-known fact: the Barossa is a great place to go op shopping, if you know where to look. From vintage clothes to pre-loved homewares, there are a number of places to browse the racks. In Tanunda, visit the Great Revival Shop in Kavel Arcade and the Tanunda Community Helpers Clothing Shop. In Nuriootpa, try the Treasure Chest, and the Community Helpers Furniture Warehouse.

19. REDISCOVER RIESLING

The big, bold Barossa shiraz is what draws most wine lovers here, but the folk at Riesling Freak have a different passion; no prizes for guessing what it is. Their tasting room, housed in a beautiful old stone barn in Tanunda, is a great place to work your way through their range, distinguished by numbers instead of names. Unusual drops include No 8, a German-style schatzkammer riesling, and No 7, an unusual fortified riesling. rieslingfreak.com

20. TAKE AN ART CLASS

The exhibitions are only part of the draw at the Barossa Regional Gallery, a community hub that even hosts concerts. We particularly love the extensive schedule of art classes that they offer on weekends, covering everything from felting and linocuts to watercolours. Check the website to see what's coming up. barossagallery.com

Ute Junker travelled courtesy of Elderton Wines and the South Australian Tourism Commission