Getting to the Barossa Valley from Adelaide: Car, Train and Pickups
The Barossa is about an hour from Adelaide, and the hard part is not the road. It is getting home after the tastings. Comparing Barossa Valley winery tours? Decide who drives first, and the rest follows.
Car, train, taxi or tour: the four ways in
Each way in answers the same question differently: who drives after the tastings? If you drive yourself, one of you stays sober all day. On a train, a taxi or a tour, everyone tastes.
| How you travel | Who drives | Who can taste | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your own car | One of your group | Everyone but the driver | Staying several days |
| Train to Gawler, then LinkSA bus | Nobody in your group | Everyone | Travellers without a car |
| Taxi between cellar doors | A local cab | Everyone | Short hops inside the valley |
| A tour with pickup | Your guide or driver | Everyone | A single day from Adelaide |
Adelaide to the Barossa by car
Driving gives you the most freedom and the fewest pours. Tourism Australia puts the valley about an hour from Adelaide, and South Australia's tourism body says 50 minutes north-east of the city. These steps get you there.
- Allow about an hour. Tourism Australia puts the valley about an hour's drive from Adelaide.
- From the airport, allow longer. It is 76 km from Adelaide Airport.
- Head north-east. The Barossa lies north-east of the city.
- Start at the Visitor Centre. Park in Tanunda at 66–68 Murray Street.
- Agree the driver. Whoever drives does not taste.
By train to Gawler and LinkSA bus
You can reach the valley without a car. Take the Adelaide Metro train north to Gawler station. From there, LinkSA runs a regular bus service into the Barossa. Inside the valley, LinkSA's Keoride service offers door-to-door trips.
Check routes, fares and times with LinkSA before you travel, and plan your return before your first tasting. The Barossa Visitor Centre's concierge can help you plan the connection.
Taxis and getting between cellar doors
The Barossa Council lists two local cab companies. Book the ride back before you sit down to taste, because the valley is spread out and cabs are few.
- Barossa & Light Cab Service: 0400 631 631
- Barossa Taxis: 0411 150 850
Where the tours pick you up
Most tours solve the driving question by collecting you. Days from Adelaide start in the city or Glenelg between about 9:00 and 9:30. Days from inside the valley start later, at 10:00 or 10:50, or at 9:00 for the e-bike. Find where you are staying in the first column.
| Where you are collected | When | Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide | 9:30, back about 17:30 | Hop-on hop-off bus from Adelaide or Tanunda Four tastings and lunch from Stamford Plaza Hahndorf first, then the Barossa, with lunch |
| Your address in Adelaide city or Glenelg, or in the Barossa on some days | Confirmed when you book | Tastings, platter lunch and chocolate from Adelaide Barossa tastings and Hahndorf from Adelaide Winemakers' sheds, eight guests at most Small group with a lunch platter, tastings paid on the day |
| Your Adelaide hotel | About 9:15 | Six guests at most, restaurant lunch Private day from your Adelaide hotel |
| Barossa Visitor Centre, 66–68 Murray Street, Tanunda | 10:50 | Hop-on hop-off bus from Adelaide or Tanunda |
| Your Barossa accommodation | 10:00 | Six guests at most, from Barossa accommodation Private day for up to four, from Barossa accommodation |
| 18–28 Tanunda Road, Nuriootpa, or a Barossa hotel | Confirmed when you book | Trike ride for two 1966 Mustang convertible for two |
| Yalumba cellar door, 40 Eden Valley Road, Angaston | 9:00 | E-bike day from Yalumba, Angaston |
Found a pickup near you?
Compare the days that start there, with what each fare includes.
Barossa Visitor Centre in Tanunda
The Barossa Visitor Centre is in the Tanunda Town Square precinct. It opens Monday to Friday 9:00–17:00, Saturday 9:00–16:00, and Sunday and public holidays 10:00–16:00. Its free concierge service replies within 24 hours.
Next door, the Barossa Cycle Hub has public toilets, showers, a drinking fountain and undercover bike parking. The hop-on hop-off bus collects from the centre at 10:50.
Getting-there questions
How far is the Barossa Valley from Adelaide?
Can you get to the Barossa Valley by public transport?
Where do Barossa tours pick up in Adelaide?
Is there a taxi in the Barossa Valley?
Next: see every start on the Barossa Valley map, find the estates on Barossa Valley vineyards and wineries, or compare every day out on Barossa Valley Tours.