is set to unveil The Barossa Valley its first luxury resort

hero media
One of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions is set to unveil an exceptional new $100 million resort.

Renowned for its world-class wineries, rolling vineyards, and rich cultural heritage, the Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. And in an exciting development for wine enthusiasts, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Strategic Alliance have just announced they will introduce the world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand to the region: InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa .

InterContinental Barossa Resort and Spa
The resort is set to redefine luxury in the iconic wine region.

Slated to open in 2028 (subject to planning approval), the resort will sit in the heart of the Barossa Valley making it easy for wine enthusiasts to access the region’s best wineries. 

Matt Tripolone, IHG Hotels & Resorts Managing Director, Australasia & Pacific, shared his excitement for the project: “For the first time, the Barossa will boast a globally branded luxury hotel that will serve as an indelible beacon for guests seeking an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication."

Inter Continental Barossa Resort & Spa
The resort will sit in a lush landscape surrounded by vineyards.

Each room of the 150-room property will feature lush landscape views, including balcony rooms with vineyard and cellar door vistas. World-class dining options including a 130-seat signature restaurant will showcase Australia’s finest flavours with a modern twist, while the lounge bar, outdoor garden terrace, and exclusive Club InterContinental will provide luxurious spaces to unwind and relax. 

Other facilities will include a pool, a day spa, a fitness centre, scenic walking trails, and extensive conference and meeting spaces. The result will be a stylish destination that caters for corporate retreats, romantic escapes, wellness seekers, special events, and group getaways. 

InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa
The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most popular regions.

Tripolone further highlighted why this project is a major milestone for the region:

“Underpinned by stunning architecture and complemented by one of the world’s most recognised brands, InterContinental Barossa Resort & Spa will be the perfect destination for wine lovers, gastronomes, and luxury escapists."

Discover the best things to do in the Barossa Valley

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
See all articles
hero media

Film lovers need to add these Victorian theatres to their bucket list

Theatres have always been a cornerstone of regional Victoria, reflecting the character and history of their local communities.

From grand, gold rush-era masterpieces to Art Deco wonders to repurposed prisons, we’ve rounded up four of Victoria’s best regional theatres to catch a show at next time you’re travelling through.

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat

Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat 
Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat has been standing for 150 years. (Image: Michael Pham)

A monument to the immense gold rush wealth flooding through Ballarat in the second half of the 19th century, Her Majesty’s Theatre (‘Her Maj’ to locals) celebrates its 150th anniversary as the city’s premier performing arts venue this year.

Built in a classical style and immaculately preserved (thanks largely to a recent $16-million restoration), this Lydiard Street landmark is the oldest continuously operating theatre in mainland Australia, notable for its double balcony and a stage that slopes towards the front, making it one of the most audience-friendly venues in the country to see a show.

The Capital, Bendigo

The Capital Theatre, Bendigo
The Capital in Bendigo was built in 1873 as a Masonic Hall. (Image: Michael Pham)

Denoted by its distinctive Corinthian columns, more reminiscent of ancient Greece than regional Victoria, The Capital theatre in Bendigo has been through several iterations since the first stone was laid in 1873.

Originally a Masonic hall, the renaissance revival-style building became a theatre in the 1890s, falling into disrepair for a time during the 1970s, before being restored and reopened (as the Bendigo Regional Arts Centre) in 1991. Today, the 480-seat venue hosts everything from comedy to cabaret to traditional theatre, dance, opera and live music.

 Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo

a look insideBendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre
Inside Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre, a former prison. (Image: Michael Pham)

Bendigo has busted out as a regional performing arts hotspot, so it’s fitting that one of its newest venues is housed within a former prison. Meaning ‘meeting place’ or ‘gather together’ in the language of the local Dja Dja Wurrung people, the $26-million, 950-seat auditorium rose from within the red brick walls of the historic Sandhurst Gaol in 2015.

It’s an eerie feeling as you approach the imposing granite facade, pass beneath the old gallows and pick up your ticket from the box office occupying a repurposed cell block. With the building playing a main character in the show, this is performative architecture at its finest.

Rex Theatre, Charlton

the Rex Theatre in Charlton
The 1938-built Rex Theatre in Charlton is an Art Deco gem. (Image: Jenny Pollard)

Regional theatres don’t come more romantic than this Art Deco gem in the river town of Charlton, in north-central Victoria. Built in 1938, the 350-seat community-owned theatre provides an essential entertainment outlet for residents in the Wimmera Mallee region, as well as visitors making the trip up the Calder Highway from Melbourne.

The volunteer-run venue is the last remaining purpose-built cinema in regional Victoria, and hosts the Charlton Film Festival every February, plus three weekly film screenings (Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday).