Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

The back road from Tanunda to Angaston via Bethany winds through some beautiful countryside, tracking up to Mengler’s Hill Look-out – a top spot to check out the valley below (just pretend the weird sculptures in the foreground are invisible).

Arts and culture

At the Keg Factory (www.thekeg factory.com.au) on the southern fringe of Tanunda you can watch real-life coopers construct and repair wine barrels for the local wineries – an exercise in high art in the hands of such masters.

Something for nothing

The bountiful Barossa Farmers’ Market (www.barossafarmersmarket.com) in Angaston takes place every Saturday 7.30am–11.30am. It’s free to get in and roam the produce stalls, but, who are we kidding? You’ll probably emerge piled high with local breads, sausages, fruits and cheeses – all to accompany the local drop.

Shopping

Most Barossa wineries can arrange shipping, if you fancy taking a few dozen cab sauvs home. Feel the need for a fine feta or cool camembert? The perfectly aromatic Barossa Valley Cheese Company (www.bvcc.com.au) in Angaston sells handcrafted goats- and cows-milk creations. Also worth browsing are Raven’s Parlour Bookshop (08 8563 3455) in Tanunda for its stylish range of new and second-hand tomes, while Timeless Books (08 8564 2222) in Angaston also sells CDs.

Daytripper

Can’t get enough fine wine and good times? The Clare Valley – South Australia’s other big-name wine region – is less than an hour’s drive to the north. Pile into the car and prime yourself for some pleasing riesling in historic towns like Auburn, Mintaro and Clare itself. Check out www.clarevalley.com.au, or contact the Clare Valley Visitors Centre (08 8842 2131).

Perfect picnic

Quite a few of the Barossa’s wineries have a sweep of green grass out the front with views over the vines. Pack a hamper from Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop (www.maggiebeer.com.au) in Nuriootpa and hit the lawns at Peter Lehmann Wines (www.peterlehmann wines.com.au) in Tanunda. A bottle of Lehmann’s Stonewell Shiraz is the perfect partner in crime.

Walks

For a fragrant, colourful stroll head for Lyndoch Lavender Farm (www.lyndochlavenderfarm.com.au), where you can wander through several acres of flowering fields, boasting over 90 varieties of the sweet-smelling purple flora. There’s also a café, wine tastings and a shop for afters.

Children

The Barossa can be a bit of a drag for kids (know any eight-year-old grenache fanatics?) so for more child-friendly fun take them to Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park (www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks) in Angaston, which has some beaut bushwalks, valley views and plenty of wildlife (especially echidnas, kestrels, hawks and kangaroos).

Activities

For a serene, lofty perspective on the Barossa’s lanes and landscapes, contact Balloon Adventures (www.balloonadventures.com.au). Daily one-hour flights bob skywards from Tanunda and include a champagne breakfast. No visit to the Barossa would be complete without over-indulging in some wine tasting. Lots of companies can escort you so you don’t have to drive: try Barossa Experience Tours (www.barossavalleytours.com), Barossa Epicurean Tours (www.barossatours.com.au) or Barossa Valley Tours (www.barossaval

And

No visit to the Barossa would be complete without over-indulging in some wine tasting. A plethora of companies run tours so you don’t have to drive: try Barossa Experience Tours (+61 (0)8 8563 3248; www.barossavalleytours.com), Barossa Epicurean Tours (+61 (0)8 8564 219; www.barossatours.com.au) or Barossa Valley Tours (+61 (0)8 8563 3587; www.barossavalleytour.com).