Located in South Australia's Barossa Valley, this wine town has four Lutheran churches and 1847 Shiraz vines at Turkey Flat. Locals play at the Kegel bowling club and make wine at Château Tanunda.
In South Australia's Barossa Valley, Tanunda maintains its German roots with four Lutheran churches and weekly performances by the Tanunda Liedertafel choir. Walk into Turkey Flat's cellar door to taste wine from their 1847 Shiraz vines, watch local teams compete at the Kegel bowling club, or join a chocolate-making workshop at the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company. The town sits among vineyards that stretch across the valley floor to Mengler Hill, where walking paths lead to panoramic views of the region.
Wine Making Traditions
At Turkey Flat vineyard, you'll find Shiraz vines from 1847 that still produce wine today. The grand Château Tanunda, built in 1890, dominates the landscape as Australia's largest 19th-century winery building. Inside its bluestone walls, winemakers crush grapes and age wine in oak barrels. You can taste wines straight from the barrel and learn about winemaking techniques that date back to the 1840s.
Cultural Activities and Events
German culture runs deep in Tanunda's daily life. The Tanunda Liedertafel male choir, active since 1850, fills the town hall with German folk songs every Tuesday night. The Tanunda Town Band, founded in 1857, plays concerts in the rotunda on summer evenings - it's the oldest continuous brass band in the Southern Hemisphere. Join locals at the Kegel bowling club for a game on traditional wooden lanes, or attend services at one of the four Lutheran churches.
Activities for Children and Families
Discovery Parks Barossa Valley's water park, a 10-minute walk from Main Street, includes waterslides and splash zones. The Tanunda Oval playground teaches kids about wine making through play - they can pretend to weigh grapes and climb through barrel-shaped tunnels. At the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, watch chocolatiers pour and mold chocolate, join a tasting session, or try different hot chocolate flavors. Children aged 6-12 can join 30-minute workshops to make chocolate freckles and take home their creations.
Hiking and Views
The trail network around Tanunda includes the 2-kilometer Tanunda Creek loop, which takes 30 minutes to complete, and the more challenging 12-kilometer Valley to Valley trail that connects to neighboring towns. When hiking to Mengler Hill, you'll climb 150 meters above the valley floor. At the summit, interpretive signs identify the surrounding vineyards and mountain ranges. The Barossa Sculpture Park, 6 kilometers from town center, contains 22 permanent stone and metal sculptures placed along a walking path that circles the hilltop.
Walking and Cycling Routes
From the lookout at Mengler Hill, take in views of vineyards that stretch across the valley. Follow the 2.5-kilometer town trail to learn about 21 significant sites, including the 1849 Tabor Lutheran Church and the old post office, now a museum of local life. Local bike rental companies will deliver cycles to your door, making it easy to explore the paths between wineries and viewpoints.
Transportation and Access
Tanunda is 66 kilometers northeast of Adelaide. Drive via the Northern Connector through Gawler, or take the scenic route through the Adelaide Hills, stopping at Warren Reservoir and Williamstown. While trains no longer run on the 1968-closed railway line, the old station remains as a reminder of early transport. The town's central location puts you within 15 minutes of most Barossa Valley wineries.
