Barossa Valley - Tanunda part one

 We arrived at Tanunda on the afternoon of 15 March. Our accommodation was the Wine Vine Hotel.

Many of the car parking spots at the hotel had vines growing at the side.

However the plant outside our door was definitely dead.

The Barossa Valley was named by Colonel William Light in 1837. Light had been a soldier during the Battle of Barossa in Spain in 1811.

The hotel was a short drive from the centre of the town. The name, 'Tanunda', is derived from the Aboriginal word for waterhole. Prussian immigrants started settling in the area from 1842. Initially there were two settlements with German names which were changed during the First World War. Eventually the two settlements joined to be known as Tanunda.

After we had settled into our room we decided to explore part of the town. At each end of the main shopping area is an arch welcoming you to Tanunda and carrying the name of a major wine company in the area. Seppelt is the name on the other side of this arch. At the other end of the town is a similar arch carrying the name of Jacob's Creek.

Our first stop was the information centre where we collected pamphlets and ideas on places to visit when there was no cricket.

A small public library also operates in this space.

We had a short walk exploring the main street but then decided to explore the area properly when the temperature was not 43 degree. We did stop at Beans and Cream to enjoy an ice cream though it was a challenge to eat it before it melted.

That evening, Robin went back into Tanunda and purchased half a chicken, chips and coleslaw from Tanunda Chicken and Seafood.

On another occasion we enjoyed delicious butterfish, with chips,coleslaw and potato salad from the same cafe.

During the next week we had lots of opportunity to explore Tanunda.

 With its Prussian / German origins it is not surprising that there are many Lutheran churches in region.

In Murray Street is located St Paul's Lutheran Church.

Tabor Lutheran Church

Langmeil Lutheran Church.

Around the corner in Jane Street is St John's Lutheran Church.

One of the features that you notice when exploring Tanunda is how the older buildings have been preserved and repurposed.

The Tanunda Institute was established in 1869 and this building was constructed in 1879. It originally consisted of a hall, meeting room and library. A major function was to promote the learning of English among the German speakers.In 1920 the building was purchased by the Barossa News and printed newspapers until 1987. Since then the building has been used as offices.

Many examples of the town's history can be viewed as you walk down Murray Street.

View of part of a former flour mill.