The Barossa Valley wine country is about 40 miles (70 km) northeast of Adelaide, in South Australia. Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and is well connected by air to other Australian cities, with multiple flights per day on different airlines. The best way to get from other parts of Australia to the Barossa Valley is to fly to Adelaide first.
There are many small towns scattered around the Barossa Valley, each with their own accommodation, wining and dining options. Nuriootpa is the main town, and other towns to know about are: Tanunda, Lyndoch, Angaston, Seppeltsfield, Cockatoo Valley, Eden Valley, Springton, and Williamstown.
Here's how to get to the Barossa Valley, with Adelaide as your starting point.
By Car
Duration: 1+ hour drive from Adelaide
Renting a car is a convenient way of getting to and around the Barossa Valley, as it will give you the freedom to move between the different towns in the region. The southern end of the Barossa Valley is only about an hour's drive from central Adelaide or Adelaide Airport, which is just west of the city center.
The route you take out of Adelaide will largely depend on which town in the Barossa you are aiming for, but head north or north-east out of the city, following signs to Tanunda or Nuriootpa. Whether you're heading to Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Lyndoch, or somewhere else in the Barossa Valley, head to Gawler first, an outer suburb of Adelaide, on the A20 or M20. To get to Lyndoch, travel east on the B19 from Gawler. To get to Tanunda or Nuriootpa, continue on the A20 north-east of Gawler, or take the longer, scenic route via Lyndoch. Tanunda is just a few miles before Nuriootpa.
The drive between Adelaide and Gawler is through Adelaide city and doesn't necessarily provide any points of interest but the wine country starts past Gawler. The drive between Lyndoch, Tanunda, and Nuriootpa in particular is dotted with cellar doors of top wineries, such as Chateau Tanunda and Penfolds. You could take your time driving this route and stop at many wineries along the way (and of course, if you're driving, saving that wine for later).
By Train and Bus
Distance: 1 hour to Gawler
If you want to take public transport, you can get a local train from Adelaide Railway Station to Gawler Central. This is to the south-west of the Barossa Valley, and some bus services from Gawler to other points of interest in the Barossa are available. The Line 810 bus travels between Gawler and Nuriootpa, stopping at Lyndoch and Tanunda en route. It takes about 15 minutes to reach Lyndoch, and 40 minutes to reach Nuriootpa. However, these buses don't run very frequently, so you'd need to time your trip well in order to make connections.
By Private Tour
Travelers staying in Adelaide for a few days who would like someone else to be the designated driver will enjoy a guided tour of the Barossa from the city. Many options are available to suit different interests, ranging from wine tasting and dining to biking tours. Contact your local specialist to work out a plan to suit your needs.