Sample the food and Wine on offer in Tanunda, Barossa Valley
Tanunda, South Australia, is in the heart of Australia's premier wine growing region - the Barossa. Look in any direction, from any street in town and you will see vineyards. In fact, the city of Tanunda is virtually at the cellar door of at least eight wineries. If that's not enough for you, hop in your car and while exploring the scenic hills and valleys of the Barossa ranges, you will stumble across many more.
Tanunda's roots go back to the aboriginal dreamtime. Tanunda is an aboriginal word whose original meaning is so old it has been all but forgotten, but is variously interpreted as "watering hole" or "many birds on a creek." No matter what its literal translation might be, the name alludes to the availability of water in the area - as valuable a commodity to the ancient aboriginals as wine is to today's visitors to the town.
Initially named "Langmeil," Tanunda was among the first settlements after the Barossa Valley was first discovered by explorers in 1836. Captain Light, who had fought on the Spanish "Barrosa" or "Hill of Roses" gave the valley its name and its mispelling, which has been retained to this day. The first settlers were German migrants who were forced to escape their homeland as a result of religious persecution. For a few years, it was thought that Tanunda must be a German name. An 1859 article in the Register, the most respected newspaper in the area, corrected the mistake, stating that Tanunda was actually an aboriginal word meaning "the waters that skirt the place the year 'round."
The German influence is still extremely noticeable in Tanunda today. In reality, a number of the old Lutheran churches are among the chief tourist attractions in the town. Tabor Lutheran Church, on Murray Street (the main street) dates back to 1849. At the top of an 85 foot (26m) spire stands an orb that carries lots of the church's old records. Langmeil Lutheran Church, approached via an avenue of Cypress trees, is in a particularly magnificent setting and contains the remains of Pastor Augustus Kavel, who was responsible for bringing the German emigrants to Australia. St. John's Lutheran Church, also on Murray Street, dates back to 1868 and featured 5 extraordinary life-sized timber statues of Peter, Paul, Moses, Jeremiah and Jesus.
While the wonderful vineyards of the Barossa are unquestionably the main reason why so many tourists flock to Tanunda each year, there's lots of sights and activities for the whole family in the region as well. While the kids would most likely grow quickly bored if they had to tag along with their parents to wine tastings, luckily there is much for them to do and see in the region, too. They will love visiting spots like Norm's Coolie Sheep Dogs, where sheep dogs display their abilities and the beautiful Story Book Cottage and Whacky Wood.
Although the population of Tanunda is only about 3000, there tend to be around twice that number of people within the town at any given time. Fortunately, there's a Tanunda accommodation for every taste and budget. The tent and caravan parks vary from simple to luxurious. If you are looking for an unusual place to stay, you will find bed & breakfast inns and even entire historic homes and cottages available. What better way to soak up the ambiance that in a two bedroom stone cottage built in the 1920s, unless it's from a tent site under a tree along the banks of Jacob's Creek? Wherever you choose to stay in Tanunda, you are sure to love it there!
Tanunda's roots go back to the aboriginal dreamtime. Tanunda is an aboriginal word whose original meaning is so old it has been all but forgotten, but is variously interpreted as "watering hole" or "many birds on a creek." No matter what its literal translation might be, the name alludes to the availability of water in the area - as valuable a commodity to the ancient aboriginals as wine is to today's visitors to the town.
Initially named "Langmeil," Tanunda was among the first settlements after the Barossa Valley was first discovered by explorers in 1836. Captain Light, who had fought on the Spanish "Barrosa" or "Hill of Roses" gave the valley its name and its mispelling, which has been retained to this day. The first settlers were German migrants who were forced to escape their homeland as a result of religious persecution. For a few years, it was thought that Tanunda must be a German name. An 1859 article in the Register, the most respected newspaper in the area, corrected the mistake, stating that Tanunda was actually an aboriginal word meaning "the waters that skirt the place the year 'round."
The German influence is still extremely noticeable in Tanunda today. In reality, a number of the old Lutheran churches are among the chief tourist attractions in the town. Tabor Lutheran Church, on Murray Street (the main street) dates back to 1849. At the top of an 85 foot (26m) spire stands an orb that carries lots of the church's old records. Langmeil Lutheran Church, approached via an avenue of Cypress trees, is in a particularly magnificent setting and contains the remains of Pastor Augustus Kavel, who was responsible for bringing the German emigrants to Australia. St. John's Lutheran Church, also on Murray Street, dates back to 1868 and featured 5 extraordinary life-sized timber statues of Peter, Paul, Moses, Jeremiah and Jesus.
While the wonderful vineyards of the Barossa are unquestionably the main reason why so many tourists flock to Tanunda each year, there's lots of sights and activities for the whole family in the region as well. While the kids would most likely grow quickly bored if they had to tag along with their parents to wine tastings, luckily there is much for them to do and see in the region, too. They will love visiting spots like Norm's Coolie Sheep Dogs, where sheep dogs display their abilities and the beautiful Story Book Cottage and Whacky Wood.
Although the population of Tanunda is only about 3000, there tend to be around twice that number of people within the town at any given time. Fortunately, there's a Tanunda accommodation for every taste and budget. The tent and caravan parks vary from simple to luxurious. If you are looking for an unusual place to stay, you will find bed & breakfast inns and even entire historic homes and cottages available. What better way to soak up the ambiance that in a two bedroom stone cottage built in the 1920s, unless it's from a tent site under a tree along the banks of Jacob's Creek? Wherever you choose to stay in Tanunda, you are sure to love it there!
