3 to 9 June 2016 - Kapunda and the Barossa

I headed West from Mildura, stopping to go through the South Australian Quarantine Station on the Sturt Highway at Yamba, before Renmark.  It reminded me quite a lot of the WA Station at Border Village.  Not quite as strict, but the SA Authorities are trying to limit fruit fly and other problems in the Riverlands & other growing regions.  Essentially, no fresh fruit or veges from interstate allowed.

At Renmark (actually Paringa), I did a small diversion North to visit Wilkedene Woolshed Brewery, also on the Murray.   It was recommended by Ric & Ann, so I had a look and sampled one of their local beers (Amazon Ale) on the sunny deck overlooking the river.  A nice drop.

Beautiful day at Wilkedene, but no kitchen, only a few cold packaged local food products to buy & eat.

From Renmark, I diverted a little to Berri, to stop at the local Coles supermarket and stock up after my preparation for the Quarantine point.  Unfortunately that resulted in a little misadventure.  I forgot to lock the freezer door, so when I arrived in Kapunda I found defrosted food and melted ice blocks scattered across the caravan floor.  Fortunately no damage, but a bit of a clean up job.......

After Berri, I drove through the small town (cum suburb) of Glossop.  Had to take a photo of the local high school to send to Michael (Glossop), yet another old friend from Perth and Aberdeen days.

Say no more.....The Glossop legacy.....

I had hoped to be able to do a Loch Luna wildlife cruise in a small local boat from Kingston on Murray (recommended by Ann), but Carl the owner & guide was having a few low season Winter days off.

So, on I went to Kapunda on the Northern edge of the Barossa.  I was attracted by what I hoped was a quiet, reasonably priced Kui (group) caravan park and was not disappointed.  This became my base for a week in & around the Barossa.   Kapunda is an old mining town and agricultural centre, much quieter & (a bit) less touristy than the main Barossa townships.

"MAP" the Cornish Miner looms large on the outskirts of Kapunda.

"Downtown" Kapunda.  The local Foodland & bakery does a pretty constant business.

 Kapunda Museum.  An impressive building, reflecting the past history of the town.

The Barossa was just beautiful in June.  Surrounded by green rolling hills with a lot of crops just starting to emerge, it was wet and cold with lots of new growth around.  In the Summer I am told it is HOT, just like the Swan Valley at home.

Beautiful Barossa near Seppeltsfield (from the family Mausoleum).

 Another great view at Jacobs Creek.

Historic Chateau Tanuda, right on the outskirts of the Tanunda township.

There are just so many different wineries that Barossa can be overwhelming.  I limited myself to visiting  just a few, that were mainly recommended by others, who had visited previously and was very happy with all those that I did get to over the week.  Highlights for me were Langmeil (my first Barossa Winery & a very old one), Rockford, Henschke, Seppeltsfield (for the history, Fino Restaurant & excellent set up for visitors), and Torbreck for a great range of shiraz.  There are of course so many more that are also very good.....

 Seppeltsfield Courtyard on a very quiet wet day.

 Historic Seppeltsfield.

 The old Bacon House.

 The spectacular Seppelt Family Mausoleum with fantastic views over the surrounding area.

Scenic Langmeil Winery.

 Rockford Winery Courtyard with the old stables tasting room.

Inside the rustic tasting room at Rockford.

Krondorf Road is home for Rockford, Charles Melton and Grant Burge, which all got a visit from PJ.

The 1918 Bistro & Grill in Tanunda, as well as Fino Restaurant at in the old Seppeltsfield bottling hall, and a number of local bakeries were recommended to me to try.  I enjoyed many of them, in between trying to maintain a diet and lose some weight whilst travelling.  Just a bit of a challenge.

So many things to see & do in the Barossa.  Another is the weekly growers market on Saturday, just outside Angaston - much better than our local Midland "Farmers" Market & comparable (in quality of products) with the Margaret River market, which is also  very good.

 Much of the weekly Angaston (Barossa) Farmers Market is undercover.

 "Thunderbirds" (some of you will remember the show) were there as well....

That's a pretty good overview I reckon.  I really just scraped the surface of the Barossa and hope to return at least a few more times whilst I am able to.......