The first European settlers in the Barossa Valley were predominantly German Lutherans. They came initially to escape the persecution they were receiving for their faith at the time, in the middle of the 19th century. When word got out that the Australian region they settled in was perfect for growing grapes, they came in increasing numbers.

Times were hard for those early settlers, many of whom had to live in tents. They started quarrying the local limestone deposits, both to make a living and to erect permanent structures. Many of the beautiful churches and other structures in the Barossa were built in the 1860s and remain today as outstanding examples of their building skills. The many Lutheran churches, whose spires can be seen throughout the valley, add to the picturesque landscape.

Those first German settlers brought the first vine roots to the Barossa Valley. The soil and the climate were perfect for the vines and as the plants matured, an industry was born. Today, the Barossa Valley Shiraz wines in particular receive international acclaim, but other varieties grown in the region include Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Semillon. The reds are grown primarily in the Barossa Valley, while the white varieties are grown in the hilly regions of Eden Valley and Menglers Hill.

Needless to say, a region that is celebrated for its wines holds celebrations in honour of its wines. In the Barossa Valley, the largest and oldest celebration is the Barossa Vintage Festival. This festival has been held every second year over the Easter holidays for over sixty years. It features music, dance, lavish dinners and, of course, a wine auction that attracts an international following.

While wine and everything associated with wine are the main drawcards to the Barossa Valley, the area offers many other attractions, too. With the prosperity the vineyards brought to the region came fine art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and European style alfresco cafes. The valley’s heritage is preserved in the fascinating museums in the region. One of them, the Barossa Historical Museum in Tanunda, is housed in a post office that was built in 1865, while another, the Herbig Family Tree is literally inside a hollow gum tree.

Be sure and visit the Herbig Family Tree when you’re in the Barossa Valley. It may not be your first choice as a Barossa Valley accommodation, but it is where young Friedrich Herbig called home in 1855 and where he took his wife to live in 1858. Their first two children were born there. Eventually, the Herbig’s outgrew their tree and went on to have 16 more children, but the tree remains. It is estimated that the still living red gum is somewhere between 300 and 500 years old.

Tanunda’s ancient heritage is reflected in its name. Sometimes translated as "watering hole" and sometimes more picturesquely as "many birds on a creek," Tanunda is an aboriginal word that refers to the abundance of life giving water the ancient indigenous dwellers found in the region. To them, this water was as valuable and sought after as the wine its current inhabitants produce is today.

Originally named "Langmeil," Tanunda was one of the earliest settlements after the Barossa Valley was first discovered by explorers in 1836. Captain Light, who had fought on the Spanish "Barrosa" or "Hill of Roses" gave the valley its name and its misspelling, which has been retained to this day. The earliest settlers were German migrants who were forced to flee their homeland due to religious persecution. For many years, it was thought that Tanunda must be a German name. An 1859 article in the Register, the most respected newspaper in the area, corrected the mistake, stating that Tanunda was actually an aboriginal word meaning "the waters that skirt the place the year ’round."

While it has an aboriginal name, Tanunda still has a very German flavour. Many of the town’s most famous landmarks harken back to the early settlers. Tabor Lutheran Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church, both on Murray Street, the town’s main road, date back to 1849 and 1868 respectively. Tabor Lutheran Church is distinguished by its towering 85 foot (26 meter) spire topped with an orb that contains old church records. St. John’s features 5 wooden statues of Jesus, Moses, Peter, Paul and Jeremiah. Not far away, down a leafy street lined with Cypress trees is Langmeil Lutheran Church. The grounds outside this lovely church shelter the remains of Pastor Augustus Kavel, who was the man who brought the early German settlers to the region.

While the wonderful vineyards of the Barossa are undeniably the main reason why so many visitors flock to Tanunda every year, there are many sights and activities for the whole family in the area as well. While the kids would probably grow quickly bored if they had to tag along with their parents to wine tastings, fortunately there is much for them to do and see in the area, too. They love visiting places like Norm’s Coolie Sheep Dogs, where sheep dogs demonstrate their skills and the lovely Story Book Cottage and Whacky Wood.

Thanks to the abundance of great camping grounds, hotels, bed and breakfast inns and even historic homes that are available in Tanunda, you will have no difficulty finding the perfect Tanunda accommodation for you, no matter what your budget or preference may be. The town’s permanent population is just three thousand, but there are enough wonderful places to stay, it can probably accommodate twice that number. If you like sleeping in the outdoors, what could be better than pitching a tent under a big tree on the bank of Jacob’s Creek? If you want to feel like a local, why not rent a 2 bedroom cottage made of stone nearly a century ago? Whatever you want, it’s there for you in Tanunda.

Barossa Valley Vineyard

Australia’s most famous wine producing area, the Barossa Valley, is also an ideal place for a short holiday or a weekend break for those who enjoy great wine, great food and the great outdoors!

Situated in southern Australia, Barossa Valley, which is also often simply called the Barossa, is just 60km (37.5 miles) north east of Adelaide and easily accessible by car. The journey by car takes about an hour and it’s a lovely ride if you choose the scenic route through the Adelaide Hills then onwards via country roads and quiet towns.

The Barossa is where the majority of Australia’s best known wines are produced – names like Jacob’s Creek, Wolf Blass and Peter Lehman are just some of the famous brands you’ll find here. Wine lovers will of course be in their element in the Barossa as you have the opportunity to trundle from one vineyard (winery) to the next. Most, if not all, are more than happy to show you around and will also offer free tastings. The only thing stopping you will be the thought of having to drive back to your hotel!

If you’re staying in Adelaide, you may actually find it easier to join an organized tour to the Barossa Valley. This way you don’t have to worry about how many wine samples you try! We discovered that there are a number of companies offering Barossa tours, ranging from the more standard coach tour to a luxurious private limousine tour.

Once you’ve visited where the wines are produced, why not have a glass of your favourite with an excellent meal? The German heritage of the Barossa Valley is certainly noticeable when it comes to dining, as many of the restaurants serve traditional German cuisine, though if this isn’t for you there are other cuisines available as well.

For visitors planning to stay in the Barossa for more than a day you’ll find there’s a good selection of other attractions in the area to keep you occupied. What better way to accompany fine wine and dining than with a game of golf?! The Barossa Valley has four 18 hole and two 9 hole golf courses for you to try or if you prefer spectator sports the Barossa has a diverse calendar of events throughout the year – the Pro Cycling Tour Down Under has a stage here.

The Barossa Vintage Festival event which happens yearly in April, also known as “Celebrate the Blend” has been celebrated for more than 60 years by the Barossa community. The iconic festival is about celebrating the grape harvest and although wine is the main focal point, there is so much more to the festival. The Barossa region which has plenty tradition in the arts, from brass bands to world-class theatre and visual arts; thier love of the earth’s produce, from wine, to produce and food; thier strong religious traditions and thier pride in thier unique history, as show cased through ‘Heritage Hotspots’; and the opportunity for each community to show its differences through Town Day events. In essence the Barossa Vintage Festival is a reflection of the strong Barossa community spirit.

If watching the pro cyclists has encouraged you to get on your bike, you can rent one from the Barossa Visitor Information Centre and enjoy a self-guided tour, or even join a guided bicycle tour. Cycling was definitely our favourite way of seeing the area’s beautiful scenery and landscapes! And if you want to see some of this scenery in more detail, there are several recreation parks, forests and trails in the Barossa Valley for you to enjoy, such as the Mount Crawford Forest, the Lavender Federation Trail or the long distance Heysen Trail and Mawson Trail.

There’s certainly plenty of outdoor activities for you to try in the Barossa, and we’re sure you’ll love the mild climate and the great fresh air!

When it comes to Barossa Valley Accommodation, there is no shortage of great places to stay with beautiful bed and breakfast and self-contained cottages scattered all over the valley.