Things to do in Nuriootpa, South Australia

The best things to do in Nuriootpa, South Australia, are the wine-blending experience at Penfold’s and Barossa Valley hot air balloon flights. You can also visit several wineries, including Kaesler Winers, Yelland & Papps and Elderton Wines.

Nuriootpa is the main town of the Barossa Valley in South Australia. That’s not to say it’s the heart of the Barossa Valley wine region, however. Wineries and activities centre around Tanunda to the south. If it’s vineyard romance and charm you’re after, Tanunda does it better.

Nuriootpa is where real life goes on in the Barossa Valley. It’s where people go to shop, go to school and go about their normal business. The Sturt Highway from Adelaide passes to the west and north of the town. It continues on the way to Mildura in Victoria and Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

8 unusual Barossa Valley experiences to book in advance

Half day Mustang convertible tour.
Two hour kayaking experience.
Half day trike tour with commentary via headsets.
Wine-tasting tour in a bright red London cab.
Winery hopping by e-bike.
Gin-making workshop with lunch.
Behind the scenes VIP tour at Seppeltsfield.
Learn about barrel-making at the Yalumba Cooperage.

Things to do in Nuriootpa, South Australia: Barossa Valley wine tasting

But there are several wineries in Nuriootpa to visit. These Nuriootpa wineries include Atze’s Corner Wines, Kaesler Wines and Yelland & Papps. You can also visit Teusner Wines and Elderton Wines.

By far the most prominent winery in Nuriootpa, however, is Penfold’s. Penfold’s is arguably the single most prestigious Australian winemaker, largely because it world famous Grange is one of wine’s true greats.

What to do in Nuriootpa, South Australia: Penfold’s Barossa Valley

The Penfold’s Barossa Valley cellar door is open for wine tasting seven days a week. But it also offers some more in-depth experiences. The one-and-a-half hour Make Your Own Blend experience is particularly good fun. This allows you to play at being winemaker for a day. Inside the winemakers’ lab, you blend your own wine from grenache, shiraz and mataro – the three grapes blended to make Penfold’s Bin 138. The blend you make is then poured into a bottle for you to take back to your Barossa Valley accommodation and drink over the next few days.

The Make Your Own Blend experience at the Penfold’s Barossa Valley cellar door is one of the best things to do in Nuriootpa. It costs $85 per person and can be booked online.

Another activity on that list of things to do in Nuriootpa should be hot air ballooning. Barossa Balloon Adventures is based in Nuriootpa, and runs early morning Barossa balloon flights whenever weather conditions allow.

Nuriootpa accommodation

Nuritootpa’s other function for visitors is as a place to stay. You’ll not find the wine region’s most glamorous and charming accommodation here. But the Vine Inn or Big4 Barossa Tourist Park might just do the trick. The Big4 Barossa Tourist Park is the best bet in the Barossa Valley if you’re camping or are travelling by campervan – the caravan park offers convenience.

Great things to do elsewhere in the Barossa Valley include tasting chocolates at the Barossa chocolate factory and cycling the Barossa Trail, which passes just south of Nuriootpa.

cycling on the Barossa Trail in the Barossa Valley, South Australia — Cycling on the Barossa Trail through the Barossa Valley, South Australia. Photo courtesy of Barossa Grape & Wine Association.

Nuriootpa driving times

Adelaide to Nuriootpa: Distance 82km, driving time one hour.
Tanunda to Nuriootpa: Distance 7km, driving time 8 minutes.
Gawler to Nuriootpa: Distance 32km, driving time 23 minutes.

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Barossa Valley South Australia things to do wine wine regions wineries