Top Barossa Valley Wine Tours To Book Now- Australian Traveller

Overflowing with more than 170 wineries, South Australia’s most killer drops are best discovered through a mixed bag of Barossa Valley wine tours and experiences.

Ain’t nothing wrong with getting lost in the rolling hills and country air of the Barossa – after all, this is premier Aussie winemaking territory so a visit should certainly be savoured. But if your mission involves digging up hidden gems, then signing onto one of the most eye-opening Barossa Valley wine tours and experiences is a no-brainer. Our pick of the most remarkable is calling.

Barossa Red Vintage Tours

Consider touring the region in a red London cab for a ‘full English experience’ filled with Barossa’s hottest hits, courtesy of Barossa Red Vintage Tours.

Facilitating a range of tours for up to six guests, including themed expeditions with Devonshire tea and stout tasting, and a half or full day out bouncing between wineries, distilleries, craft breweries and historical photo opportunities, your ride for the day is a 1972 Austin FX4 once owned by Sir Richard Branson.

Craft breweries make the cut on this tour. (Image: Rehn Bier pictured/Barossa Tourism)

One of the most character-filled Barossa Valley wine tours on offer, there’s even a ‘Meet the Locals’ three-hour group tour every Friday night where you’ll score an invitation to the tour operator’s personal social mixer that evening, plus dinner. Prices start from $410 for two people and each tour requires a minimum of two passengers.

Barossa Bespoke Tours

If you have a clear idea of what you’d like, Barossa Bespoke Tours specialises in creating detailed private itineraries so you get exactly what you pay for. A typical tour includes hotel transfers, visits to some of the region’s best-loved wineries, and lunch with paired wines at a local restaurant.

It’s priced from $900 for two adults and two additional guests can jump in on the two-person deal for an extra $150 per person. Part of the appeal of this service is the expert guide you’ll have on hand. Kym spent more than 20 years working within the Barossa Valley’s hospitality scene, managing several cellar doors and hotels, making this one of the most insightful Barossa Valley wine tours out there.

The Barossa Cellar

No visit to the Barossa is complete without a visit to The Barossa Cellar, a regional wine cellar (and Australia’s first) housing a staggering collection of rare and aged Barossa and Eden Valley wines. Best of all, it offers hosted, exclusive access to the country’s top drops, and an invitation to taste wines from the prestigious Barons of Barossa’s 3000-strong wine collection.

Its standout tour is the Barossa Vine & Wine Experience, allowing you to sit in the heart of the cellar, The Vault, and enjoy a private tasting, plus the ability to purchase a vine in perpetuity. Priced at $1,150 for two guests, it doesn’t come cheap, but this is exclusive access you’ll never forget on board one of the finest Barossa Valley wine tours.

Adelaide Sightseeing

Two excellent group tours, running all the way from Adelaide CBD, are offered by Adelaide Sightseeing. The first is a full-day, small group coach tour, the ‘Barossa Food and Wine Experience’, which makes stops at a handful of great wineries, including Pindarie Wines and Lambert Estate, some of the region’s finest foodie havens including Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, and at a brilliant vantage point for happy snaps in Mengler Hill, one of the Barossa’s most unmissable things to do. Prices start from $198 per adult.

Pindarie Wines Cellar Door — Pindarie Wines is one of the cellar doors on offer during the tour. (South Australia Tourism Commission/ Sven Kovac)

Meanwhile, the full-day ’Barossa and Hahndorf Highlights’ tour caters for a larger group than its other offering and includes a wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek, one of the Barossa’s best-loved wineries, a lunch and paired tasting at Lambert Estate, and a trip to Hahndorf, a gorgeous village filled with rich German heritage plus fascinating shops and art galleries. It’s priced at $189 per adult.

Hahndorf Streetscape — Take in the sights of Hahndorf. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

Small Batch Wine Tours

Live like a VIP for the day with Small Batch Wine Tours, which are renowned for their luxurious Barossa Valley wine tours. With keys to many of the region’s most exclusive wineries, some that don’t even open their doors to the general public, these guys provide incredible premium experiences to both small groups or couples seeking an intimate setting.

Seppeltsfield Winery — Opt for a VIP experience with Small Batch Wine Tours. (Image: Barossa Grape & Wine Association)

In its least exclusive offering, the ‘Small Group’ tour aims to avoid crowds, timing its arrival at the likes of Two Hands Wines, one of the Barossa’s most extraordinary wineries, and Izway Wines, a boutique label with a firm focus on organic farming, during quiet periods. Lunch is included, and prices start at $300 per adult.

On the super exclusive end, private expeditions for two, featuring lunch at Fino at Seppeltsfield, one of the region’s most celebrated restaurants, plus visits to four or so wineries are priced from $840 per person, while the ‘Penfolds vs Henschke’ tour is what dreams are made of.

Dine at Fino during a Small Batch Wine Tour. (Image: Fino Seppeltsfield)

Offering exclusive access to both Penfolds Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace, two of the wine world’s most applauded creations, and throwing in lunch at Fino once again, this is pure decadence. Prices start from $2,000 per person.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Hill of Grace experience at Henschke

Speaking of the most extraordinary blends going, Henschke’s ‘Hill of Grace Experience’ is worth mentioning in this ‘best of’ line-up.

Priced at $325 per person, the small group expedition, capped at six people, offers access to Henschke’s revered Hill of Grace vineyard, plus a once-in-a-lifetime chance to taste vintage varieties in a private tasting room, away from the label’s main cellar door, which stands as one of the Barossa’s best winery experiences regardless.

Henschke Hill Of Grace Vineyard — Gain access to Henschke’s revered Hill of Grace vineyard. (Image: Barossa Grape & Wine Association/ Sven Kovac)

Visits to the working mechanics of the winery, plus samples of Henschke’s esteemed The Wheelwright, Cyril Henschke and Mount Edelstone drops are also included in the exceptional two-hour tour.

Barossa Unique Tours

Sometimes in life, hard choices will have to be made. With Barossa Unique Tours, that choice will be between a classic 1966 Ford Mustang convertible, a Jaguar XF or a motorcycle trike featuring a helmet intercom.

Offering everything from one-and-a-half-hour sightseeing tours (sans any wine tasting) to eight hours’ worth of winery and food experience hopping, all three head-turning automobiles will see you on the road like never before.

Prices start from $145 per person but soar all the way up to $525 per person for that memorable eight-hour journey in that super special Jag.

Taste The Barossa

Sample the best of the region under the wing of a local who once worked on the bottling line at Peter Lehmann Wines. Taste The Barossa, a small coach tour that hits the road from Adelaide before exploring wine country, will get you to the grand Chateau Yaldara in Lyndoch before a brief stop in central Tanunda, a gourmet cheese, meat and vegetable platter lunch and a wine tasting at Peter Lehmann, then more wine at Rosenvale Vineyards before rounding the day off at Wolf Blass. Groups are guaranteed to never exceed 20 people, and it costs $179 per person.

Taste of Barossa Chateau Yaldara — Go behind the scenes at the grand Chateau Yaldara. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission/ Adam Bruzzone)

Barossa Helicopters

As the name suggests, you can also explore the Barossa Valley from above thanks to Barossa Helicopters, who offer multiple scenic flights as well as luxurious food and wine experiences. Located in Lyndoch and securing more than 20 landing sites right across the region, the team can get you wherever your racing heart desires in a matter of minutes.

Barossa Helicopter tours — Experience the Barossa Valley via helicopter for the ultimate treat. (Image: Dragan Radocaj)

Scenic ventures range from just four-minute flights, priced at $50-$150 per person depending on number of passengers, to 30-minute journeys, priced from $250-$750 per person.

St Hugo's winery lunch — Dine at St Hugo’s winery. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)

Fit in glorious lunches at either Pindarie Wines, Kies Family Wines, St Hugo or Chateau Yaldara’s Vintage Chef Co Cafe with journeys that range from three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours. Prices start from $399 per person.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia

It’s all about quality over quantity with the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia crew, a high-end operator providing a wide range of unforgettable Barossa Valley wine tours.

Seppeltsfield Tawny Tasting — Join the ‘The Icons Of The Barossa’ tour for a world-class experience. (Image: Barossa Grape & Wine Association/ Sven Kovac)

Our pick of the lot? ‘The Icons Of The Barossa’ tour which includes Seppeltsfield’s exclusive Centenary Tour where you’ll sample extremely fancy fortified wines plus a vintage Tawny from the year you were born.

Once you’re done there, you’ll move on to Yalumba, yet another must-visit winery pit-stop during your adventure in the Barossa Valley, where you’ll stickybeak through the iconic brand’s fascinating cooperage before tasting some of its finest creations and washing it down with a platter jammed with outstanding local produce. Prices start from $299 per person.

Day With The Dirtman experience at Gibson Wines

Rob Gibson, affectionally known in this neck of the woods as The Dirtman and founder of Gibson Wines, has been doing his thing for around 40 years, masterfully knocking together brilliant blends that take total advantage of the Barossa Valley’s unique winemaking climate and conditions.

In the six-hour ‘Day With The Dirtman’ tour offered by Gibson Wines, guests are treated to an itinerary hosted by the Gibson family themselves, plus wine tasting at one of their favourite wineries in Eden Valley, exclusive access to other undiscovered wineries, gourmet lunch inside their fabulous 18050s cottage, barrel tasting in their private oak cellar and much more. It’ll set you back $500 per person.

The Flagship Experience at Two Hands Wines

And while we’re talking about the best-loved Barossa Valley wine tours conducted by wineries themselves, we mustn’t neglect Two Hands Wines’ ‘The Flagship Experience’.

Two Hands Wine Tasting — Do your best to sample as much of the range as possible. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)

Priced at $600 per person, this outstanding journey will see wine lovers jump into a luxury 4WD and drop in to sample the goods from three of the team’s favourite single vineyard wineries before off-roading to Seppeltsfield to explore Two Hands’ very own Holy Grail vineyard.

Two Hands Cellar Door — Soak up that serene Western Ranges atmosphere. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)

Back at the label’s cellar door, a long, meandering lunch will be served alongside a fleet of wines meticulously paired with each and every flavour.

Find more experiences, accommodation, eating and entertainment options in our Barossa Valley travel guide.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Play it safe with these top Barossa Valley wine tours