A Five Senses Exploration of the Barossa Valley

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Posted 2015-11-06 by Graeme Fanning ⇒ follow

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If you really want to truly experience all that the Barossa Valley has to offer, then using your five senses will ensure that you come away having immersed yourself in a taste of the region.

Whether it be the locally produced food and wine or it be the rustic towns of the Barossa, there is something for everyone.

[SECTION]Sights[/SECTION]

Barossa Valley is a feast for the eyes when you visit the historic towns, wineries and food outlets.

Angaston, for example is one of the oldest towns in the heart of the Barossa and a feel for the town can be obtained by going on a Heritage Walk which encompasses historic buildings such as the Union Chapel, one of the oldest churches in Australia (1844) and the Angaston Hotel which dates from 1846.

Also on show is the Old Post Office and Telegraph Office which was built in 1880 to house the merged Post Office and Telegraph services. When you think that weekly mail deliveries came from Gawler to Angaston in 1846 to today when around 1,400 users utilise an automatic telephone exchange, its amazing how communications have brought communities closer than ever before.

Maps and brochures can be obtained from the Angaston Visitor's Information Centre at Sorby Adams Wine Room.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, how about a helicopter ride over the Barossa with Barossa Helicopters. They offer tours with magnificent birdseye views over the Valley starting from $35 for a 4 minute scenic flight right up to a 30 minute flight for $230.

Flights are designed for 2-3 people and are available any day of the week subject to space. You can check out more on their website www.barossahelicopters.com.au

[SECTION]Sounds[/SECTION]

A visit to the Barossa Valley offers the opportunity to view and hear native wildlife including hundreds of species of birds - a cacophony of squawks, screeches, warbles and whistles with cockatoos, galahs, magpies, blue wrens, crows as well as rainbow lorikeets and rosellas.

If you visit the Doddridge Blacksmith Shop in the main street of Angaston, you will definitely hear the sound of pounding on the anvils at the working museum, showing traditional blacksmithing dating over 130 years.

[SECTION]Touches[/SECTION]

Both the Barossa Farmers Market and the Angaston Market allow you to touch the wonderful diverse produce on offer, including real food from the homes and farms of the Barossa, as well as crafts, fashion, jewellery, books and art.

The Barossa Farmers Market is on every Saturday of the year from 7.30 am until 11.30 am and is located in the Vintner Sheds, at Angaston.

The Angaston Market operates on the second Sunday of each month from 10 am until 3 pm at the Angaston Town Hall.

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Apart from the obvious fresh country air up in the Barossa, the food in particular really conjures up pleasant smells, whether it be the locally cured bacon, Maggie Beer's pates or chutneys and pickles or the wonderful local cheeses and fruit.

The South Australian Company Store is a great place to stock up with local produce as well as linger for a meal.

Being fully licenced and BYO, the menu features a great selection of South Australia's gourmet and regional foods such as the Long Lunch Tasting Platters which consist of German cured meats from the area, cheeses, sauerkraut, pickles and gherkins, olives, olive oil and crusty bread.

The smells emanating from the kitchen are truly wonderful as you can dine inside, or on a nice day, outside under umbrellas, allowing you a wonderful view of the surrounding Barossa countryside.

The South Australian Company Store is located on Valley Road at Angaston and is open 7 days a week from 9 am until 3 pm, apart from Christmas Day, Good Friday and New Year's day.

[SECTION]Tastes[/SECTION]

Perhaps the most important and gratifying sense is that of taste, where you have the opportunity to sample many different foods and wines in the region.

A visit to Maggie's Farm shop is a great place to sample many home grown wares including extra virgin olive oils, pates, dried peaches and pears, and numerous pastes, pickles and jams.

Then once you have tasted your way around the shop, you can then stock up and purchase your favourite items.

An option is available to also stop and enjoy Maggie's cuisine with her picnic fare menu which offers many different options including game terrine, wood oven bread, pate, cheeses, olives, fruit tarts as well as the famous home-made icecream, washed down with home-grown shiraz, ginger beer and other refreshments.

Enjoying palate tempting treats whilst overlooking the serene surroundings.

Maggie Beer's Farm shop is located on Pheasant Farm Road at Nuriootpa and is open from 10.30 am to 5 pm daily apart from selected public holidays.

If it is wine you are looking to sample, two of the prestigious ones in the Barossa are Seppeltsfield and Jacob's Creek.

Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre on Barossa Valley Way at Rowland Flat gives you the opportunity to try a great selection of red and white wines at a beautiful location overlooking the vineyards and hills of the Barossa.

It's always a great experience to lounge in the bean bags outside on the lawns sipping your wine and sampling some of the local foods.

Seppeltsfield, which dates back to 1851 offers a great selection of table wines and caters for individuals, groups, wedding parties and special functions.

You can even go on a daily heritage tour of the site which costs around $15 per person and is offered daily at 11.30 am and 3.30 pm subject to booking.

Seppeltsfield is located on Seppeltsfield Road at Seppeltsfield and is open every day.

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The great thing about the Barossa is it's nearness to Adelaide and a day trip over the weekend or even a weekend escape for two days is a great way to fall in love with the region.