Barossa Valley

Saturday 12^th November and onwards for a few days.

On the way up to the Barossa Valley, we called in at a Caravan Yard on the northern outskirts of Adelaide.  We had previously phoned them, and they said they were interested in looking at our van and giving us a price.  After a quick look over the van, they offered us a price which we felt we could accept, if nothing better came along.

The famous Wine Region of the Barossa Valley is about 60km north of Adelaide City.  It is situated in gentle rolling hill country, and the whole country side is very picturesque with the dark green lines of the grape vines growing in the low lying valley areas, contrasting with the golden brown of the wheat growing on the surrounding hills.

Combined at this time of the year with temperatures in the early thirties, makes it a very pleasant place to spend a few days. With the end of the trip rapidly drawing near, we are going to spend a few days here while we sort out the sale of the caravan, and get a few minor repairs done to the Pajero.

While this is all happening, we are having a few lazy days chilling out, and making the most of the campground’s swimming pool and its water temperature of anything between 29 and 32 degrees.

About 30 km south east of us is the small town of Birdwood, home to the National Motor Museum, and we spent a very interesting day taking a scenic drive down to it, and after viewing the museum, taking another route back to camp.

The museum itself was extremely interesting with hundreds of cars and motorbikes on display, some of them the only examples in the world still in existence. 

Almost every museum or place of interest we have visited has a visitors’ book for you to sign and make any comments.  Christel went over to sign this one, and there about a week earlier was the name B. Buckthought, Inglewood, N.Z.  How’s that for a small world?  Brian Buckthought used to farm on the Durham Road.  He obviously still lives in the Inglewood area.

On another day we took a tour through the Barossa Valley itself and visited a few of the wineries.  One winery, called Winter Creek, had accommodation set up beside it, consisting of old Railway Carriages set up on tracks.  They also had a Car and Motorcycle Museum, (another one), specialising in Chevrolet Cars and Ariel Motorbikes.  We didn’t taste their wines, but enjoyed their museum.

Further down the valley we came to the Jacob Creek Winery, which I’m sure you have all heard of, and probably tried their product.  This was a must stop, and after trying three or four different varieties, came away with a few bottles to tide us over for the next couple of days.

Our next stop was the Kellermeister Winery which had been recommended to us by some other travellers at the motorcamp. They had a beautiful white bubbly, so that too was added to our collection.  Unfortunately Kellermeister don’t export to New Zealand. We would have loved to bring some back with us, but as it is we are going to be struggling to bring back everything we have accumulated and want to bring home.

We need to get a few minor repairs done to the Pajero to make it ready for sale when we get to Melbourne, including a new windscreen, and a replacement hinge for the spare wheel.  There are about 4 panel beaters in nearby Gawler, but trying to get a car fixed by any one of them before Christmas is virtually impossible.  They are all up to their elbows in work, as all the locals want their repairs done before Christmas, and they aren’t very interested in helping out a Kiwi family who want a job done within the next few days.

We finally managed to bribe one with a cash job, and spent the morning wandering around the shops of Gawler.  It’s amazing how many dresses a woman can try on and still find nothing that’s right.

We had two perspective buyers for the caravan lined up in Queensland, but after much negotiation, and many emails they both pulled out. Luckily we had the dealer in Adelaide to fall back on, and after some more phone calls, we agreed on a price and settlement date. With the arrangements for the sale of the caravan all in place, it is time to seriously look at the end of this great adventure.  Our next move will be to get on the computer and check out the availability of flights back to New Zealand.  We’ll keep you posted.