Spend a few nights in South Australia's Barossa Valley and sample some of the best wine the country has to offer. Accommodations are available throughout the valley.

About the Barossa Valley

Much of the Barossa Valley was settled by German immigrants. You're apt to find a restaurant serving bratwurst sausages right along with nice thick steaks. Cream buns and cakes with thick, heavy cream filling are the rage in this part of the country. The Germans also brought their religion, Lutheranism, evidenced by the number of stone churches with slender spires dotting the countryside.

Dozens of wineries, many of them family owned for generations, offer onsite wine tasting tours. Some of the more extensive educational tours explain the wine making process from grape to bottle. If you like what you taste, you can visit the onsite wine shop and buy some to enjoy later.

If you're lucky enough to be in the valley during the Barossa Vintage Festival, you can sample wines and foods from participating producers. The festival started in 1947 and has been held ever since, always in an odd year. Events are held at wineries, restaurants, in churches and at parks. Other events to watch out for include the Barossa Under the Stars concert, held in February, and the Tour Down Under, a world class cycling race held each January.

Getting To Barossa

The Barossa Valley Region is about 60 kilometres northeast of Adelaide, where you'll find the closest commercial airport. From the airport the valley is about a 60-75 minute drive via the Port Wakefield Highway and the M20. It is close enough to make the valley a day trip from Adelaide but there's so much to see you'll probably want to spend the night. 

Bus service is available from Adelaide to Barossa, but public transportation is limited within the valley. If you'd rather not drive, you can rent a bike in Barossa and cycle between villages.

Types of Accommodations

Accommodations range from youth hostels with dorm and private rooms to high-end hotels. One property, mid-range in price, used old railway cars and converted them into both basic hotel rooms and cushy suites. Bed and breakfast properties are plentiful; some of them run by the vintners themselves.

If you'd prefer to rent a caravan, you'll find campgrounds with hook-ups within sight of the vineyards. Some campgrounds also offer cabins for rent. Accommodations are scattered throughout the valley, most of them near the villages of Gawler, Yarunda and Nuriootpa.

No matter where you decide to spend the night, you'll find friendly people ready to swap stories about wine and just about anything else.

For more information on accommodations in Australia, contact a business like Motel Travelway.