History of our Region

The early settlements in the Barossa had to become self-sufficient, separated as they were from Adelaide and each other. Some settlements remained small, and their inhabitants relied on the larger nearby towns for everyday goods and services.

Bethany and Langmeil

Both villages initially were independent of Tanunda. The settlement of Bethany in 1842 was arranged by Angas' second agent, Forster, and in the first year, 28 Lutheran families, comprising 117 persons including 34 children arrived. The majority of these people were farmers, while others were tradesmen of various kinds. Bethany clearly reflects the cultural background of the German settlers. Bethany, located close to Tanunda, was never a rural service centre, and did not develop to any great extent. Instead, Tanunda became the service centre, and Bethany farmers obtained extra supplies from there. A number of cottages dating from the 1850's still line the Bethany Road. They display a distinctive German style of architecture with a slightly pitched roof allowing space for an upper room or attic.

The village of Langmeil (originally Bilyara) near Tanunda was settled in 1843, and like Bethany, was in time overshadowed by Tanunda. In Langmeil, holdings of about 10 hectares were laid out in thin narrow strips similar to the pattern at Bethany. The village spread along its main street, Langmeil Road, which runs parallel to the North Para River. Among the most interesting buildings in Langmeil are the dark ironstone cottages and barns of the early settlers, several of which have been maintained or restored.

Tanunda

Tanunda developed from the progressive merging of Langmeil and other nearby villages. The name comes from the aboriginal word-meaning waterhole. Tanunda has retained much of its original charm and historical atmosphere. Tanunda grew fairly rapidly in the nineteenth century. The main road ran north through the town, and it had a Government Post Office and 2 large hotels in the main street. Tanunda's importance as a service center is reflected in many of its historic buildings, including the old market square (Billygoat Square), the four Lutheran churches, (the result of differences amongst the early settlers), the former Post Office and Telegraph Station, Police Station, Court House and Town Hall.

Nuriootpa

W. Jacob surveyed the area in 1841. William Coulthard, who established a hotel to cater to bullock team drivers passing through, settled it soon after. The family of Mathias Lange later joined the Coulthards. The name is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting place' as large numbers of Aboriginals once gathered there to trade. In 1850, the settlement was subdivided into blocks, and land was bought by German and British people. In 1856, it was officially declared a town. Apart from Coulthard's large bluestone home, which is now a museum, several early settlers' cottages survive in the main street. Several large wineries were established after the turn of the century and in the years following World War II, Nuriootpa developed as the modern commercial focus of the valley.

Light Pass

Light Pass, close to Nuriootpa, is a small settlement based on 2 Lutheran Churches. The name was derived from Colonel William Light's exploratory survey of the area when he was looking for a pass east through the ranges to the River Murray.

Stockwell

Stockwell, further along the road to the Murray, was laid out near the entrance to the original Light's Pass. Its owner was Samuel Stockwell, a butcher and colt breaker who owned a livery stable in Rundle Street, Adelaide.

Moculta

Abraham Shannon, who bought land in the area and arranged for its subdivision in 1850, settled the township of Moculta to the east of Nuriootpa. Originally known as 'the duck ponds' because of the large number of wild ducks, Moculta is the aboriginal name for a large hill, now known as Parrot Hill. Farmers from Bethany populated the settlement. The 2 Lutheran churches, Gruenberg and Gnadenberg, were built in 1853 and 1860 respectively.

Angaston

In 1843, John Howard Angas came to the Barossa to manage his father's Angaston estate. Subsequently new settlers, both German and British, began settling in Angaston and in 1844, the Union Chapel was built. It is thought to be the oldest building in the valley, and is therefore one of the most valuable heritage items. The main industries of Angaston were viticulture, agriculture and fruit growing.

In the area south of Angaston, on the eastern edge of the Barossa Valley, are a number of towns and settlements, including Williamstown, Mt Crawford and Keyneton.

Williamstown

Williamstown was settled in 1839, when it was known as Victoria Creek. It is thought that the founder of the township exchanged a 'mob' of horses for an 80-acre (32 ha) block, which he subdivided and named after his son. As Williamstown grew it became a service centre for nearby Mt Crawford, although Mt Crawford had a substantial population of its own, and serviced a number of scattered properties in the area. Some of these have since been bought by the Woods and Forests Department and planted with pines. The Gilbert and Ross families were among the early settlers in the neighborhood of Mt Crawford and Williamstown.

Lyndoch

At the southern extremity of the Barossa Valley lies Lyndoch, which Colonel Light visited and named in 1837. The original Lutheran settlement at Lyndoch as established at Hoffnungsthal, where migrants from Posen settled in 1847. The Aborigines in the area warned the settlers that Hoffnungsthal became virtually a lagoon in winter, but the settlers did not immediately heed their advice. They were forced to leave after the area was badly flooded in 1854. The historic area has been commemorated by a plaque, which records the names of the Hoffnungsthal pioneers. The remains of the village include the foundations of the church, remnants of the early roadway, 2 wells, fragments of the cemetery, an underground morgue, 2 threshing floors and scattered building stones. Many of the Hoffnungsthal settlers moved to Lyndoch, Gomersal and elsewhere in the Barossa.

Rowland Flat

Rowland Flat, to the north east of Lyndoch, was named after Mr Rowland, a partner of Gilbert, and settled by German immigrants in the 1850's. Amongst them were the Gramp family, founders of the Orlando winery. Johann Gramp, who arrived in South Australia in 1837, initially planted his vines at Jacob's Creek: his son Gustav moved the business in 1877 to Rowland Flat.

Cockatoo Valley

In March 2nd, 1838, Hill, Wood, Wiles and Oakden passed through a valley on their way to the Murray. After seeing many cockatoos, this valley was named Cockatoo Valley.