For a great weekend away try Tanunda in the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is known to wine connoisseurs all over the world as the home of several of Australia's best wineries. Tanunda, SA is known to Australians as the heart of the Barossa. From any vantage point in this lovely town, you are able to see vineyards stretching towards the horizon. No less than 8 wineries surround the town and within a short drive outside of town there are dozens more spread throughout the valleys and nestled beside the hills of the Barossa Ranges.

Tanunda's roots go back to the aboriginal dreamtime. Tanunda is an aboriginal word whose original meaning is so old it has been all but forgotten, but is variously interpreted as "watering hole" or "many birds on a creek." No matter what its literal translation might be, the name alludes to the availability of water in the region - as valuable a commodity to the ancient aboriginals as wine is to today's visitors to the town.

Initially named "Langmeil," Tanunda was one of the initial towns after the Barossa Valley was first discovered by explorers in 1836. Captain Light, who had fought on the Spanish "Barrosa" or "Hill of Roses" gave the valley its name and its mispelling, which is retained to the present day. The first settlers were German migrants who had been forced to flee their homeland as a result of religious persecution. For a few years, it was thought that Tanunda must be a German name. An 1859 article in the Register, the most respected newspaper in the region, corrected the error, stating that Tanunda was in fact an aboriginal word meaning "the waters that skirt the place the year 'round."

While it has an aboriginal name, Tanunda still has an extremely German flavor. Lots of the town's most prominent landmarks harken back to the early settlers. Tabor Lutheran Church and St. John's Lutheran Church, both on Murray Street, the town's main road, date back to 1849 and 1868 respectively. Tabor Lutheran Church is distinguished by its towering 85 foot (26 meter) spire topped with an orb that has old church records. St. John's features 5 wooden statues of Jesus, Moses, Peter, Paul and Jeremiah. Not far away, down a leafy street lined with Cypress trees is Langmeil Lutheran Church. The grounds outside this beautiful church shelter the remains of Pastor Augustus Kavel, who was the man who brought the early German settlers into the region.

One of the great things about Tanunda is that, although its foremost visitor drawcard is the surrounding vineyards, visitors can discover various other fascinating things to do and see in the town and its environs. This makes it an ideal vacation spot for the whole family. While the children may not appreciate sitting around watching their parents sample fine wines, they will surely enjoy the Story Book Cottage and Whacky Wood and the chance to observe sheep dogs exhibit their skills at Norm's Coolie Sheep Dogs.

Although the population of Tanunda is merely about 3000, there are usually at least twice that number of people in the town at any given time. Luckily, there's a Tanunda accommodation for every taste and budget. The tent and caravan parks vary from basic to luxurious. If you are looking for an unusual place to stay, there are bed & breakfast inns as well as entire historic homes and cottages available. What better way to take in the ambiance that in a two bedroom stone cottage built in the 1920s, unless it's from a tent site beneath a tree along the banks of Jacob's Creek? Wherever you choose to stay in Tanunda, you are sure to love it there!

Take a few days off, find Tanunda Accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.