A Long Day but a Short Drive………Day 31

24 April:

We were out for a lot of the day but we didn’t actually drive very far. First on our list was Nuriootpa, about 30 kms south of Kapunda where we are camped.We knew we were in wine country when we saw this BIG wine bottle in someone’s garden coming into Nuriootpa. Another BIG thing to add to my collection.

 

Nuriootpa has a population of around 5500 and is the commercial centre of the Barossa Valley as well as servicing more than 42 wineries in the nearby areas. Yes we are in the famed Barossa Valley. We had a look around, especially William Coulthard’s original bluestone home “ Coulthard House”, but it was a bit of a shock to come to a large town again after 4 weeks of small towns and minimal traffic.

Coulthard House was built in 1855.

After a bit of a look around Nuriootpa we decided to take the Barossa Scenic Heritage Drive. We did go into one winery but as they charged for tastings and their wines were expensive, we walked out and carried sight seeing. Next stop was Tanunda where many of the early settlers were Germans seeking religious freedom. This is still obvious today with the number of Lutheran churches we saw. Here is the beautiful Tanunda Hotel.

We continued driving upwards to Menglers Hill where we saw the most awe inspiring views so far on this trip.(I think I said this while on the Australian Bight.)

Today it was wall to wall vineyards. Coming from Western Australia which has a vibrant wine industry, it does not compare in size to what we saw today. It makes you wonder who is drinking all the wine being produced..

After passing through Angaston we had a look at Truro. Both Lance & John thought it was the place of a serial killer so I looked it up on google. Here is what is said:

“The Truro murders is the name given to a series of murders uncovered with the discovery in 1978 and 1979 of the remains of two young women in bushland near the town of Truro, South Australia. After police searches, the remains of seven women were discovered in total: five at Truro, one at Windfield  one at Port Gawler. The women had been murdered over a two-month period in 1976–1977 by Christopher Worrell James Miller.

Truro has become known for its Olive Oil and its interesting buildings. No sky photo tonight but another photo of the Barossa Valley. In this one you can see vineyards for as far the eye can see.

Don’t forget ANZAC Day tomorrow. We will be at the Dawn Service here in Kapunda.