Plan your stay in South Australia’s wine country with our 3 day Barossa Valley Itinerary!
A day trip to the Barossa Valley is one of the top things to do in Adelaide, South Australia.
But if you have longer to spend in this gorgeous area, here is a 3 day itinerary to help you plan your travels!
Just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the valley is home to over 150 wineries and cellar doors, offering world-class wine tastings and gourmet food experiences.
Visitors can explore charming historic towns like Tanunda, Nuriootpa, and Angaston, each full of historic buildings, boutique shops, and artisanal producers.
Beyond wine, the Barossa offers scenic cycling trails, luxury accommodation, farmers’ markets, and hot air balloon rides over rolling hills.
Whether you’re a wine lover, foodie, or someone looking for an Adelaide getaway, the Barossa Valley is an amazing place to visit.
Plan your stay in Adelaide before your trip to wine country!
How long do you need in the Barossa Valley?
Three days is the best amount of time to spend in the Barossa Valley! Many people will choose a day trip from Adelaide, but if you have the time, definitely opt for 3 days in this magical part of South Australia.
There is much more to the area than just wine experiences. Here is a carefully curated 3 day itinerary that will include the best local attractions, from wine to nature and everything in between.
3 Day Barossa Valley Travel Itinerary
From sampling wine in a historic cottage, to trying a scenic helicopter flight, to bicycling around the vineyards, here are some top activities to include in your itinerary of the Barossa Valley.
Feel free to use this itinerary as a general guide and swap out or add any activities that suit your style!
Day 1
Morning: Explore Barossa by bike
One of the best ways to sightsee in the Barossa Valley is by bike. Whether you opt for a normal bicycle or an e-bike, you can cruise through the charming country roads, stop at wineries and vineyards, and explore the charming towns.
You can rent bicycles at Barossa Bike Hire or Riesling Trail Bike Hire.
Or you can opt for a full-day guided e-bike tour with a local guide. This tour takes you around the area and includes visits to local establishments like Yalumba Winery, Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, and Barossa Valley Cheese Company Cheese.
Afternoon: Tour the wineries and vineyards
Whether by bike, by self-drive, or by guided tour, it’s time to hit up the local wineries! Even if you’re not the biggest wine lover, this is undoubtedly the highlight of the Barossa region.
The Barossa is one of the world’s premier wine regions, renowned for its bold Shiraz and picturesque vineyards. You simply have to experience the culture, history, and culinary delights that are entwined with the wine making here.
All the wineries are within easy driving or biking distance of each other. It’s up to you if you want to hop around often and do some quick tastings, or if you want to only select one or two wineries and have a long lunch accompanied by wines.
Either way, here are some of the top wineries to visit during your stay.
Murray Street Vineyards – Visit the beautiful tasting room with views of the Barossa Valley’s Western Ridge
Yalumba – Australia’s oldest family-owned winery
Bethany Wines – Offers affordable wine tastings with cheese platters and picnic platters
Henschke Cellars – A sixth-generation family-owned winery known for its world-class Hill of Grace Shiraz and old-vine wines
Penfolds Barossa Valley Cellar Door – Home to some of Australia’s most famous wines
Kies Family Wines – Great food, cellar door experiences, and a welcoming atmosphere
Peter Lehmann Wines – Founded by the legendary Peter Lehmann, this winery is known for its Stonewell Shiraz and laid-back tasting experience
Hentley Farm Cellar Door – Hentley Farm is a charming 1840’s heritage cottage with luxury tasting packages
Seppeltsfield – A historic estate offering unique wine experiences
Evening: Have some dinner and drinks at a bar
Keep the fun going after your wine experiences with a visit to a local bar. The Barossa region has some excellent bars with their own unique vibes.
Stein’s Taphouse in Nuriootpa is a must-visit for beer lovers, boasting over 100 Australian craft beers alongside whiskey, gin, and casual bites.
For a more refined experience, Musque Food & Wine in Tanunda serves up an impressive selection of gin, wine, and creative cocktails in a stylish setting.
Vintners Bar & Grill is another upscale option that has vineyard views and a great selection of local wines in addition to the excellent food.
The Greenock has a charming country pub vibe with a great range of local brews and hearty meals, perfect for a relaxed evening.
If you’re looking for a cocktail-focused venue, Bar Louise, located at The Louise in Marananga, is the spot for beautifully crafted drinks with a touch of luxury.
Read next: The Ultimate Melbourne To Adelaide Drive Itinerary
Day 2
Morning: Wander around the Barossa Farmers Market
Spend the morning experiencing a speciality of the Barossa, farmer’s markets!
The Barossa Farmers Market in Angaston is open Saturday mornings from 7:30am to 11:30am. This is the best place to sample local delicacies and purchase some gourmet treats and snacks to take home.
They have local produce, fresh coffee, and of course, lots of the best wine in the region!
Afternoon: Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and cooking class
For your afternoon in Nuriootpa, head over to one of the town’s top establishments! Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop was founded by renowned Australian cook and food author, Maggie Beer.
The farm offers visitors a chance to experience her signature gourmet products, including delicious pâtés, verjuice, jams, and sauces.
Guests can enjoy free tastings, watch live cooking demonstrations in the kitchen studio, and relax by the picturesque farm dam while savoring seasonal dishes from the on-site café.
The farm also offers hands-on cooking classes and a chance to see the inspiration behind Maggie’s passion for fresh, local ingredients. This package includes a cooking demonstration, wine tasting, and a gourmet lunch.
It’s the perfect stop for those looking to indulge in the flavors of the Barossa.
Evening: Dinner at an iconic Barossa restaurant
This evening, treat yourself to an incredible dinner at a top-rated local restaurant. There are lots of options for fine dining, whether you want local product, a critically-acclaimed chef, or an enticing ambience.
Appellation at The Louise is one of the top fine-dining spots in the Barossa. Appellation offers a seasonal menu with local produce and an extensive wine list.
FINO at Seppeltsfield is another option! Located in the historic Seppeltsfield winery, FINO serves contemporary dishes with a focus on fresh, regional ingredients in a relaxed, stylish setting.
Essen at Artisans of Barossa in Tanunda offers a modern dining experience. Your food is paired with wines from Barossa’s leading artisan winemakers.
Make sure you book ahead for a meal at one of these places before your trip! Each restaurant is highly sought after and will require a reservation.
Visit another foodie destination in South Australia with a trip to Kangaroo Island!
Day 3
Morning: Hot air balloon flight
Start your day bright and early with a magical sunrise hot air balloon flight. Meet at the office in Nurioopta and get ready for a gorgeous experience.
After the safety briefing, you’ll board the hot air balloon and enjoy a one hour flight over the rolling green hills of rural South Australia.
Once your flight is finished, you’ll be transported back to the reception center and enjoy an included breakfast. You’ll be able to dine with a view over Penfolds Stonewell Vineyards, where you can indulge in more cellar door experiences afterward if you’re not sick of wine yet!
If early mornings aren’t your thing, you could also try an afternoon scenic helicopter flight. With departures between 1pm and 3:30pm, you can enjoy a leisurely morning before getting those aerial views later in the day.
Afternoon: Experience the local beer or gin
After a trip filled with wine, you may want to taste something different!
Luckily, the Barossa region has other delicacies besides wine.
For beer lovers, check out Barossa Valley Brewing. Have a hearty lunch, sample some locally crafted beers, and enjoy a heartwarming ambience.
If spirits are more your wheelhouse, you can join a gin-making experience at Barossa Gin School.
With the assistance of the experts, you can learn how to make gin from scratch and even take home your own homemade bottle. You’ll also get a delicious 3-course lunch.
From Barossa Valley Brewing to the local Gin School, there are plenty of cool things to do outside of wine on your final day in the region.
Evening: Free time
You’ve had a jam-packed time in the Barossa Valley so far! Spend your final evening doing whatever you’re in the mood for.
You may want to try another restaurant, bar, winery, or brewery that you haven’t yet had a chance to visit. Or you may just want to rest at your accommodation with a low-key night in.
Take this time to explore any towns or locations that you haven’t yet had time for, or get organised for your departure tomorrow!
Barossa Valley Travel Guide
Here are some handy travel tips so you can plan your visit to the Barossa Valley with ease!
What is the best month to visit in Barossa Valley?
The months of March – May (Autumn) or September – November (Spring) are the best for the Barossa Valley.
These shoulder seasons are when you’ll get the best weather, and there are local festivals and events as well. Grape harvest season is in Autumn, however you can sample delicious wine year-round.
Winter is chillier but has a cosy ambience, and summer is hot but perfect for outdoor exploration.
Read next: The Best Time to Visit Adelaide, South Australia
How to get around the Barossa Valley?
The best way to get around the Barossa Valley is definitely driving yourself. Having your own car gives you flexibility and the freedom to enjoy your own itinerary however you please.
You can easily rent a car in Adelaide city or at Adelaide Airport when you arrive in the area. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley!
If you don’t want to drive yourself, your next best option is booking guided wine tours. These excursions include all transport and ensure you can check out the area’s top wineries and do some cellar door tastings with a friendly local guide.
Having a driver guide is also handy because you’ll have a designated driver, so you don’t have to be as vigilant about monitoring your wine drinking.
Aside from driving yourself or doing wine tasting tours, there are also taxis or Ubers. However, these are a much more expensive option. Hop on hop off bus tours are also a great option for those who don’t want to drive or have a strict guided schedule.
You could also consider hiring a bicycle for some sightseeing or walking within the historic towns of the area like Tanunda, Angaston, and Nuriootpa.
But for hopping around wineries, your best options are self-drive or guided tours.
Even if you just wanted to visit as a day trip, you can easily rent a car for the day or book a guided day tour from Adelaide.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Where to stay in the Barossa Valley
There are some amazing accommodation options in the Barossa Valley for those who want to stay for longer than a day trip. Here are some of the top-rated hotels in the area for travellers of all budgets.
Budget – Discovery Holiday Parks Barossa Valley
Discovery Parks offers a budget-friendly place to stay for all types of travellers. You can camp or book a cosy cabin or studio. Have access to the nearby facilities including a shared lounge area, children’s playground, barbecue facilities and games room.
Mid Range – Jacobs Creek Retreat
Located in the heart of the region, Jacobs Creek Retreat has historic stone buildings that act as elegant suites for travellers. The accommodation has its own tours and chauffeur services for your wine tasting, as well as beautiful grounds to enjoy during your stay.
Luxury – Le Mas Barossa
For a luxury stay, choose a gorgeous room at Le Mas Barossa. This elegant historic guesthouse offers free bikes, a pool and garden, breakfast, and more, all with sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards.
Is the Barossa Valley worth visiting?
From its world-class wineries, to its amazing produce and food, to its tranquil natural beauty, the Barossa Valley is definitely worth visiting while you’re in Adelaide.
If you have a few days to spare, consider making it a weekend trip so you can really experience the wonders of the area. There is so much to see and do, even for those who aren’t the biggest fans of wine.
Even if you only have time for a quick day trip from Adelaide, it’s still worth venturing out to the Barossa Valley to experience more of South Australia.
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