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| A vineyard in
the Barossa Valley (courtesy S. A.
Tourism Commission) |
Bethany
The first major European settlement in the
Barossa Valley
Located 74 km north east of Adelaide in the
heart of the Barossa Valley, Bethany is a small
and beautiful village which was originally laid
out in a careful democratic way (known as the
Hufendorf settlement pattern) so the houses run
along the road and the land attached to the
houses stretches behind them in narrow strips.
Prior to European settlement a small number
of Aborigines were well established in the
district. They lived on a diet of grass seeds
(made into a kind of damper), kangaroos,
wallabies, possums, lizards and fish and
protected themselves against the winter cold
with possum skin rugs. Their life was simple but
perfectly in tune with the climate, flora and
fauna of the region.
Soon after the arrival of colonists in South
Australia in July, 1836 expeditions were sent
out to explore the hinterland. By December 1837
explorers had reached Lyndoch and by 1838 other
explorers had reached the Murray River passing
through the Barossa Valley. The valley was named
by Colonel Light after Barrosa (Hill of Roses)
in Spain where he had fought against the French
in 1811 in the Peninsula War. The spelling
mistake was never corrected.
By 1839 Colonel Light, the Surveyor General
of South Australia, was selling off large tracts
of land in the valley. It was as a result of
this that in 1842 the first major settlement in
the Barossa Valley occurred at Bethany when 28
Lutheran families - 34 children and 83 adults
arrived and named the area Neuschlesien (New
Silesia). They called it Bethanian, a German
rendering of the Biblical town. It was from
Bethany that the first missionaries to the
Aborigines of Central Australia departed for
Hermannsburg.
|
| A vineyard in
the Barossa Valley (courtesy S. A.
Tourism Commission) |
Things to see:
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Bethany Reserve
A delightful picnic spot on Bethany Creek. It
was originally the village common where the
animals of the original residents were allowed
to graze. Today it is a pleasant place to rest
and relax.
Pioneer Cemetery
A fascinating insight into the early history of
the town with lots of German graves which offer
a glimpse into the lives of the early settlers.
Lutheran Church
Dating from 1883 it was a vital part of the
fabric of the town. Its spire can be seen from
some distance. The bell was rung at the end of
each day to tell the workers it was time to
return from the vineyards and fields.
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| Statue park
in Barossa Pioneer Memorial, Menglers
Hill |
Landhaus
Now a restaurant (contact (08) 8563 2191 for
bookings) this small and simple dwelling in
Bethany Road dates from the 1840s and is built
from mud and stone - the only materials
available at the time.
Mengler's Hill Lookout, Mengler's Hill Rd
The road that connects Tanunda and Angaston (and
is only a few kilometres north of Bethany)
crosses the Barossa Valley at Mengler's Hill.
The hill was named after an early vine grower,
Mr Mengler. It is an excellent vantage point to
appreciate the seemingly endless vineyards and
the richness of the Barossa Valley.
Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail which runs from Hahndorf
through to the Flinders Ranges passes through
the Bethany Common.
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| Bethany Wines
cellar door |
Bethany Wines
Signposted at the eastern end of Bethany Road
(turn right at the T-intersection) this
beautiful stone winery boasts some of the best
views across the Barossa Valley. It has been
owned for many years by the Schrapel family. It
specialises in varietal red and white table
wines, ports and sparkling wines derived from
cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, riesling, semillon,
merlot, white frontignac, muscadelle, cabernet
franc and chardonnay grapes. For opening times
and details of wine tasting contact (08) 8563
2086.
Glaetzer Wines
Located at 34 Barossa Valley Way this small
family winery was established in 1996 and
specialises in both red and white table wines
and sparkling wines. It is open seven days a
week for tastings and sales. For more details
contact (08) 8563 0288.
St Hallet Wines
Located on St Hallets Road south of Bethany this
winery was established in 1944. It specialises
in premium red and white table wines and
fortified wines derived from cabernet sauvignon,
sauvignon blanc, shiraz, riesling, semillon,
Grenache, Touriga, riesling, merlot, Pedro
Ximenes and chardonnay grapes. It is open seven
days a week for tastings and sales. For more
details contact (08) 8563 2319.
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| Krondorf
Wines advertise themselves on the main
road |
Krondorf Wines
Located on Krondorf Road south of Bethany this
winery was established in 1846 by one of the
first German families in the Barossa Valley. It
specialises in quality premium red and white
table wines derived from cabernet sauvignon,
shiraz, riesling, semillon, frontignac and
chardonnay grapes. It is open seven days a week
for tastings and sales. For more details contact
(08) 8563 2145.
Charles Melton Wines
Located on Krondorf Road south of Bethany this
winery was established in 1984. It specialises
in traditional dry red wines (particularly the
noted Nine Popes label) derived from cabernet
sauvignon, shiraz, grenache, pinot noir and
cabernet franc grapes. It is open seven days a
week for tastings and sales. For more details
contact (08) 8563 3606.
Rockford Wines
Located on Krondorf Road south of Bethany this
winery was established in 1984 in restored
buildings from the 1850s. It specialises in red
and white table wines, fortified and sparking
wines derived from cabernet sauvignon, shiraz,
riesling, semillon, grenache and Alicante
Bouchet grapes. It is open seven days a week for
tastings and sales.
