Words whispered at one end of this curved dam wall can be heard at the other, more than 140 metres away. A ramp leads down to the whisper stations, and a nature playground with logs and stepping stones sits beside the picnic lawns. The reserve near Williamstown closes on total fire ban days, and dogs and swimming aren't allowed.

Seventeen sculptures stand on Mengler's Hill, by artists from as far away as Japan and Egypt and as close as the valley below. Each artist made their piece over six weeks, at symposiums held in 1988 and 2008. Let kids roam between them while you take in the view across the valley towards the sea.

This sealed walking and cycling path runs 40km from Angaston to Gawler, passing through Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Lyndoch. Pick a short section between two towns for little legs. The Barossa Cycle Hub beside the Tanunda visitor centre hires hybrid bikes and has children's bikes on request.

This hollow red gum at Springton is up to 500 years old and seven metres across at the base. It was the first Australian home of Friedrich Herbig, who brought his bride Caroline to live in it in 1858. The first two of their 16 children were born inside the tree.

Copper was found here in 1842, and the mine that opened in 1844 was Australia's first successful commercial copper mine. A 1.5km walking trail with signs tells how miners dug out the ore with picks and shovels. Kapunda's 10km heritage trail also passes the old open cuts and tunnels.

The Barossa Museum in Tanunda shows how the Barossa's settlers and their families lived and worked. Entry was $5 for adults and $2 for children in October 2026. It opens Monday and Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, so it suits a wet morning in town.

Western grey kangaroos graze the grassland here early in the morning and at dusk, and echidnas come out in the evening. The 3.5km Wren Walk circles the main sandy ridge and suits most ages. Until 13 November 2026 the park closes from sunset to 5am for two weeks each month for pest control.

Two launch areas make it easy to get a kayak or canoe on the water. On land, a 5.7km loop trail looks over the dam wall, and two picnic areas have accessible toilets. Swimming and dogs aren't allowed, and gates stay shut on total fire ban days.