Things to Do in Barossa Valley

Like the beloved dome of Grand Central Terminal, words whispered at one end of this historic reservoir wall can still be heard crystal clear by listeners stationed at the other end—some 100 meters away. This surprising fact is what gave the famous Whispering Wall its name, and what drives thousands of tourists to this popular site each year.

Travelers can take in the beauty of the Barossa Reservoir, which was created in the early 1900s, while they test the much-storied wonder of this wall that allows quiet whispers to be heard from far away. Picnic areas, public toilets and shade tree areas make an ideal setting for a quiet afternoon in nature.

One of the most popular scenic overlooks in the Barossa Valley, visitors to Mengler Hill Lookout can take in bird's-eye views of the region’s expansive vineyards and rolling hills. The nearby sculpture park, which sits at the foot of Mengler Hill (formerly known as Mengler's Hill), offers travelers a whimsical, playful look at the works of nine artists who visited the area in 1988. Visitors say this picturesque peak is the perfect place for snapping scenic photos or escaping into the quiet and quaint rural countryside on a trip to Barossa.

Since 1844, Penfolds Barossa Valley winery has been offering travelers access to a wide variety of wines, luscious tastings and idyllic vineyard views. And while strong pours of favorite vintages are a treat for visitors, it’s the Make Your Own Blend Tour that gives Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door the air of something new. After touring the grounds and exploring the Cellar Door, travelers enter the winemakers’ laboratory and use popular grapes, like Grenache and Shiraz, to blend their own wines to bottle and take home.

This favorite mid-size South Australian vineyard was built in just five months back in 1980. Since then, Peter Lehmann Wines' luscious red and white wines have been celebrated both locally and internationally, and its true family farm feel has been welcoming visitors for generations.

After touring the grounds and learning about the practice of wine making, travelers can saddle up to the Weighbridge—now known affectionately as Peter’s Bar—for a taste of Peter Lehmann’s bold Shiraz. Growers have been gathering at the Weighbridge after a long day’s work since the vineyard first opened. Today visitors can join them in the same age-old tradition, too.

When was the last time you toured a winery and tasted the year you were born? At Seppeltsfield Wines in the Barossa Valley, barrels that have been aging for 100 years create an oenophile’s archive that is unparalleled by any other winery in the world. Each year, Seppeltsfield releases a “Para Tawny” that has been aged for 100 years, and has consistently uncorked a 100-year old vintage since 1978. Visitors can enjoy a casual tasting at the large cellar door, or book one of the legendary tours for a taste of the fancier wines. The Seppeltsfield name is synonymous with wine here in the Barossa Valley, and in addition to tasting the famous wines, there is also a restaurant and contemporary design studio to round out the vineyard experience. If it’s a nice summer day, or you just feel like a walk, linger a while in the vineyard gardens among date palms, roses, and elms. It’s all a part of a day at Seppeltsfield, where the wine, scenery, and regal history are a perfectly charming combination.

In addition to being one of Australia’s most luxurious hotels, the Barossa Chateau sits on what is perhaps the country’s most well-known (and well-kept) rose garden, too. With some 25 acres of estate land, including 22 acres of gardens and five kilometers of scenic pathways, the Barossa Chateau offers travelers the perfect country escape.

Visitors can spend the morning wandering the beautifully landscaped grounds, then tuck into traditional high tea at the hotel’s classic restaurant. After stroll through the rose gardens, visitors can stop at the art and antiques gallery before sipping on a glass of fine wine from the Cellar Door. Finally, visitors can sink into lush beds with high thread counts after a long day filled with some of Australia’s most classic natural beauty.

Since 1973 this iconic vineyard in the heart of South Australia’s wine country has been producing some of the most loved—and most awarded—bottles of red and white in the nation. And because their famous wines are shipped to more than 50 countries worldwide, the luxurious estate welcomes travelers from across the globe to participate in tastings tours.

Travelers can explore the vineyards, learn about the winemaking process that creates Wolf Blass’s famous Shiraz, and discover the winery’s own unique coding system, which differentiates the quality of wine using yellow, gold, gray black and platinum-colored labels.

In 1847, after nearly a decade of living in the hills of the Barossa Valley, Bavarian-native Johann Gramp and his wife decided to literally put down roots in the Australian countryside and planted nearly 30 hectares of grapevines. While the couple almost immediately began producing wine, it wasn’t until 1976 that the name Jacob’s Creek” was introduced to the public. Gramp’s first Shiraz-Cab blend was a hit among wine lovers.

Today, some 150 years later, this vineyard’s commitment to family traditions and its drive for innovation holding strong. Today, travelers can visit this famous vineyard and tour the age-old grounds of Jacob’s Creek, as well as sample wines and learn about production and farming at the innovative, modern and environmentally sound new Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre.