Tanunda, Barossa Valley

Located in the heart of the Barossa Valley, 70km from Adelaide, the town of Tanunda boasts a strong European heritage.

Things to Do in Tanunda

The pretty town is populated with jutting church spires, picturesque wineries, and a selection of cafes and restaurants perfect for people watching. As well as the beautiful backdrop, there is also plenty to see and do in Tanunda, who’s name derives from the Aboriginal word meaning “water hole”.

These days, the Tanunda town is home to around 4,000 people. It presents itself as a very religious city with no less than four Lutheran churches in its small quarters. It runs parallel to a scenic river and many of the ironstone cottages and barns that characterise the place are the originals.

The History of Tanunda

Tanunda used to be a collection of smaller settlements, the first of which was Bethanien, a town settled back in 1842. It was run by Prussian immigrants alongside Pastor Gotthard Fritzsche, and it was then joined by Langmeil, a settlement created in 1843 by more Prussian immigrants. Tanunda was the last of the settlements to emerge, but as it began to develop over the years, it became the most prominent, and soon the surrounding settlements were all known under the name Tanunda.

Things to do in Tanunda

There are plenty of things to do in Tanunda, along leafy lanes and in colonial town squares.

  • Barossa Wine and Visitor Centre

    At the town Visitor Centre, there is a display that unravels the history of the wine industry in the region, including the processes used and the role of the grape grower.

  • Goat Square

    Though on first inspection it might just seem like a crossroads, Goat Square is actually a tiny square with picturesque cottages flanking it on either side. It was once an important meeting place for town traders.

  • Lutheran Churches

    Lutheran Church

    The spires of Tanunda’s Lutheran churches add to the scenic silhouette of the town. Tabor Lutheran Church dates back to 1849, while the Langmeil Lutheran Church, and St. John’s Lutheran Church both offer an insight into the religious past of the town.

  • Mengler’s Hill Lookout

    If you’re on the hunt for a breath-taking view, head to Mengler Hill, where you can look out over the Barossa Valley in all its patchwork glory. Here, you can soak up the endless vineyards and the lush greenery from above.

  • Wineries

    A visit to the Barossa Valley wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one (or two or three) of the many wineries in the region. Take a tour, sample the local offerings, and relax in the peaceful surroundings.

Other tourist attraction: