Barossa

Of course there's wine

The Barossa has cool summers and rainy winters which makes it perfectly suited for red wine production, particularly Shiraz and richly flavoured Cabernet.

Nearby Eden Valley is less well known but also boasts a stellar reputation for premium wines. A higher altitude and cooler climate lends itself to Riesling and Chardonnay.

Unlike us, wine really doesn't enjoy travelling. If you have picked up a few treasured bottles, don't leave them in the car on a warm day! Many cellar doors offer specialist wine transport services, to make sure your precious cargo gets home safely.

History and heritage

In terms of a famed wine region, the roots of the Barossa stretch back to 1839 with the arrival of early settler Johannes Menge. Although a small community had established themselves in the small village of Lyndoch, it was Menge who saw the opportunity for wine. In fact, in April 1839 he described the district as, "The cream, the whole cream and nothing but the cream."

Aside from an amazing array of wines and wineries to discover, there are regional arts and a rich, pioneering history worth exploring, including the short-lived gold rush of the 1860s. Of course, with great wine comes great food. So make sure you leave enough time to sample all of the locally produced delights the Barossa has to offer.

All of this and more is available via a network of well signposted heritage trails that can be accessed by car or on foot.

The Visitor Information Centres at Gawler and Tanunda are open seven days a week and the friendly staff are always on hand to help you with your plans, so drop in and say hi. Visit the Barossa website.