20 December 2016

Our family roadtrip - Our 20th Anniversary - part 3

For this part of Our family roadtrip (you can catch up on part 1 and part 2 here), I thought I'd write about our 20th wedding anniversary, which was the main reason for our big adventure in the first place.

For as long as my Hubby and I can remember we have always wanted to visit the Barossa Valley. Over the years we have travelled to the Hunter Valley (NSW) wineries many many times, have visited wineries in the Yarra Valley (VIC), travelled around the Tamar Valley wine route when we went to Tasmania, as well as bought wines from other wine regions in Australia and overseas, but we always seemed to put travelling to South Australia off as a "one of these days we'll go on a road trip and visit the Barossa Valley"

So when we thought about where we wanted to stay for our anniversary, it was only appropriate that we book a cute B&B in the Barossa Valley.

I instantly fell in love with the Barossa's rolling hills, big blue skies and vineyards as far as the eye could see. The wine region is located in a rural farming area, so when you don't see a vineyard you notice hay fields and bales dotting the countryside.

We were surprised that for such a touristy destination, it wasn't too busy. Maybe it was due to the time of year we were there, but most vineyards were very welcoming & laid back, and the region itself didn't have the big tourist groups or coaches, unlike the vineyards in the Hunter Valley.

For our anniversary we stayed in a sweet little B&B in Tanunda. The girls decided to share a "double" bed choosing to stay together in the same room, rather than have their own room with their teddies. The rooms were huge, and very comfortable. Hubby and I loved it!

L to r: The girls in their big bed, our B&B, something naughty for
our anniversary, Hubby enjoying the goodies we picked up for our anniversary dinner

We decided to dine at Jacob's Creek winery for our lunch. It's such a gorgeous location, the restaurant windows overlook the vineyards and rolling hills surrounding the vineyards. We couldn't have asked for better weather, it was just gorgeous!

Picture perfect!

L to R: Cheers to us!, more vineyards, driving into Tanunda, just another hay bale!

After a delicious lunch we walked around the vineyards taking in the beautiful scenery and some pics, then we sampled some of their wines.

 L to R: The "Whispering Wall" dam, Lavender farm, the girls loved running through the vineyards,
and lazing on the big bean bags outside the restaurant at Jacobs Creek.
 
Afterwards we drove out to Lyndoch Lavender farm where we walked around smelling 90 different varieties of Lavender they had growing on the farm. Followed by a visit to the "Whispering wall", a water supply dam built for the Barossa. The unique topography and curved design of the wall allows sound vibrations to pass along it. You could have one person on one side whisper to someone on the opposite side, and hear them as if they were standing right next to you!


The following day we visited a beautiful rose garden at Lyndoch Hill which grows over 30,000 roses, found a boutique winery (Whistler Wines) where we bought a nice bottle of wine (an anniversary present from my Mum), then headed to Maggie Beers farm shop for a nice lunch. Hubby and Popette were in their element trying all the jams, chutneys, pates, olives, vino cotto, verjuice, sauces etc.




While eating our scrumptious lunch we sat overlooking a lovely pond home to some turtles - the girls last count was 12 swimming around.

Unfortunately we missed out on meeting Maggie, but we did get to watch a cooking demonstration in the kitchen Maggie used for filming "The Cook & The Chef". We got to try caramelised onions, baked pumpkin & pan fried mushrooms done in Verjuice. As well as baked apples in Vino Cotto. Cherub was very excited seeing them cook her favourite - mushrooms, but hugely disappointed in the taste!

After a little more wine tasting at Wolf Blass, we returned to our B&B where the girls got to watch TV (they haven't watched much staying at the caravan parks) before heading out for a pub meal for dinner.

We all loved the Barossa Valley, such a lovely spot not just for us wine consuming parents, but for all the family. I wished we had spent longer there.

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The next instalment of "Our family roadtrip" will be published in the new year! So keep your eyes open.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about our holiday, and it's made you want to go on your own roadtrip and discover our beautiful country.

Just want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy & Safe New Year!!

xx

*There was no endorsement or sponsorship made by any of the places that were mentioned in this post.

5 comments:

  1. Oh yum, love Jacobs Creek wine! Jealous! Looks like you had a fantastic anniversary! #TeamIBOT

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  2. Sounds amazing! My parents took my sisters and I on a holiday to the Barossa Valley (about the same ages as your girls!) and I still remember so much of it! Would love to take our girls back there. What beautiful memories your family have created! X

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  3. Looks amazing Julie! Love the pics! My miss five would love wandering through the lavender - it's her favourite flower! My parents took us on a holiday to the Barossa Valley when my sisters and I were similar ages to your girls and I still remember much of it! Would love to take our girls there too. Such beautiful memories you have created together xx

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    1. Thanks Elisa, it was fantastic! The Barossa is such a beautiful place, I'm hoping the girls remember it for a long time to come. xo

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