South Australia » The Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most well known wine growing regions, and is situated just a short drive north from Adelaide. Many of the areas original German names were anglicised just before WW1, although the region still maintains a German feel to it. On the way to the Barossa Valley it is also worth stopping at Springton on the way, where you can see the hollow gum tree where a pioneer family lived for 5 years. There is also the amazing Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir, where the acoustics are so good that a conversation at one end can be heard perfectly clearly at the other.

There are around 50 wineries in the region, with the majority being open to the public. It is well worth exploring the region and visiting several of the wineries as they all offer something slightly different. There is a great scenic drive which takes you from Angaston to Tanunda via Menglers Hill, as well as a pretty walk through the small hamlet, Bethany, which was the first German settlement in the Barossa Valley. After your walk you can stop in for a drink in The Landhaus, a 12-seater pub. Make sure you book to ensure a chair.

Angaston is a pleasant town and hosts a lovely art and craft studio in the Bethany Art Gallery. You can also visit the rather grand Collingrove Homestead, built in 1856. Heading to the north of the valley are several picnic areas in Nuriootpa. This is also a pleasant place to stay near the Para River.

If you are in the region around the time of the festivals then you should definitely make the effort to go. The German Oompah Fest is held in January and Barossa Under the Stars is held in February. There are a selection of fun events during the Barossa Vintage Festival held at Easter every odd year, and musical compilations during the Barossa Music Festival in October.

Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is a rather remarkable rock basin within the Flinders National Park, which covers a huge 80sq. km and reaches a height of about 500m. The area has wonderful scenery and is home to a whole host of animals, including plenty of birds, kangaroos and wallabies. Brachina Gorge is the place to go if you want to see some of these beautiful creatures. There is also a great driving trail that takes you around some amazing landscape scenes, along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail.

There is just one entrance into the basin, which is at the creeks entrance and exit from the basin. Once inside you can explore the precious area where there is plenty to do. You should also make sure you visit the Aroona Valley, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge as well as the Aboriginal rock carvings at Sacred Canyon. There are also some magnificent walks in the area, which really allow you to see the beauty of the Wilpena Pound. The majority of the walks leave from the Visitor Centre, with some taking a few hours and others taking about a day. If you will be walking for more than three hours then it is important that you sign in at the logbook in the Visitors Centre, as well as making sure you sign out when you return.

One walk includes the beautiful climb to St. Mary’s Peak, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area made up of glistening lakes and lush valleys. This walk takes about a day, and as with all of the other walks you need to go prepared. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you, as well as sun cream and a hat, as well as other essential supplies like a small first aid kit.

It is possible to camp in the bush or in the resort within the pound. If you are camping you don’t need an entry permit unlike day visitors, which you can get from Wilpena just outside the pounds entrance. However, all camping fees are paid at the Visitor centre. Within the resort there is a small grocery store, as well as a counter lunches and meals in the restaurant. You can also stay just outside the Wilpena Pound.

Yorke Peninsula

The Yorke Peninsula is the first peninsula west of Adelaide and hosts a number of pretty beaches. At the southern point of the peninsula is the beautiful Innes National Park which offers good diving, fishing and surfing as well as some great walking trails.

Unlike the western coast road, the eastern coast road runs only about 2km from the coastline. There are some pretty little coves and beaches along the road where you can turn off to explore. The two main towns along the east coast are Ardossan to the north and Yorketown to the south. Ardossan is a good tourist town with an interesting museum about the area, while Yorketown is the main business district in the area.

Travelling along the coast you will come across several beaches where you can stop, including Port Vincent which is a pretty coastal resort. Further south is Edithburgh from where you can see right across to Troubridge Island. There are tours which take you across to the island from here, which are quite interesting. Below the clifftops there is a rather pleasant cove with a tidal swimming pool where you can relax. To really experience the beautiful scenery you should go to Hillocks Drive which is a farm where you can stay or visit for the day.

If you take the western coast road you will be travelling mainly through small farming towns. The peninsulas Cornish history really shines through in some of the towns along the west coast. There is also a Cornish Festival held on odd numbered years called the Kernewek Lowender Festival. The main towns along the west coast are Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo all old copper mining towns, which have still maintained their original quality.

Further south near the western side of the National Park are several great surfing spots as well as some good places to camp. The scenery around this area is also magnificent.