After a hectic first week staying in an apartment in North Adelaide, we were well and truly ready for a change of pace. Travelling north for an hour or so, we arrived at Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Our stress ebbed away as we drove along the main street, brimming with beautiful heritage buildings housing cafés, restaurants, museums, galleries and, of course, pubs. We had booked to stay a few days at Tanunda Cottages on the outskirts of town.

There are three self-contained cottages which were purpose built in 1992 and when Grant and Helen Burge took over the operation in 2015, the original Winery Cottage on the neighbouring winery property was also offered for accommodation. Our self check-in to Cottage no.1 went without a hitch

and we were greeted by an immaculate sitting room, brimming with warm sunlight and cosy ambience. The unique Christmas tree in the corner added a delightful sparkle after dark.

The kitchen had everything we needed to cook a meal for ourselves and breakfast provisions were plentiful in the fridge.

At the end of the hallway, the main bedroom was very inviting

and next to it, an equally comfortable second bedroom.

The bathroom was spacious and spotless

with extra towels and eco-friendly toiletries.

Being the only occupants, we had the outdoor seating to ourselves to enjoy a vino or two on a hot afternoon.

We didn’t make use of the barbecue but it was a great space for alfresco dining.

Although situated on the main road, traffic noise was not noticeable and there were no close neighbours with the driveway to the Winery Cottage and gardens at the rear of the property.