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:  

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.

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.

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.

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. For more details contact (08) 8563 2720.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Bethany Cottages Nicolai Rd Bethany SA 5351 Telephone: (08) 8563 3581
	Sonntag House Cottage Bethany Rd Bethany SA 5351 Telephone: (08) 8563 0775 Facsimile: (08) 8563 0200 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	The Landhaus Restaurant Bethany Rd Bethany SA 5351 Telephone: (08) 8563 2191