A free hop-on-hop-off bus is back in the Barossa for Gather Round, giving footy fans and day-trippers an easy way to explore towns, wineries and local businesses across the region this weekend.
The Bounce Around the Barossa service is running daily throughout Gather Round from 10am to 4pm, with three dedicated loops connecting visitors to more than 55 businesses and townships. Open to everyone, whether they’ve got a match ticket or not, the initiative is designed to help people make the most of the Barossa’s food, wine and festival atmosphere while supporting local traders along the way.
Returning after a strong debut last year, the service builds on an initiative that recorded more than 4,000 trips in 2025 while linking visitors with 45 local businesses and townships. This year’s expanded version arrives as the Barossa prepares to welcome crowds for another big AFL Gather Round weekend, with matches again set to bring visitors deep into one of South Australia’s most recognisable tourism regions.
The South Route departs from Gawler Railway Station and stops at Lyndoch Town Centre, Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo and Grant Burge before finishing in Tanunda’s main street and returning to Gawler. The East Route departs Tanunda and travels through Artisans of Barossa, Lambert Estate, Yalumba and Melba’s Chocolates before reaching Angaston, then continues through Provenance, Kaesler Wines, Pirathon and Barossa Valley Chocolate Company before heading back to Tanunda. The West Route leaves Tanunda for Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, Pirathon, Kaesler Wines and Provenance Barossa, then continues to Nuriootpa, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, Seppeltsfield Estate and Marananga.
On Saturday, the service will also help visitors get to the Barossa Food and Wine Village, which is set to transform Tanunda’s main street into a post-match hub of food, fun and footy.
Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said, “Bounce Around the Barossa is a great way to see the world-class wine region and support local businesses, whether you’re going to a game or just keen to get around the incredible festival atmosphere.” She added, “Every fan, local and visitor can hop on – with or without a game day ticket – and embrace everything Gather Round has to offer in our regional communities.”
The Barossa Council Mayor Bim Lange said, “It’s been fantastic to see the entire community get behind Gather Round again this year, maximising the opportunity to create a region-wide experience that extends well beyond the games and delivers real economic benefit.” He also said, “The whole Gather Round weekend in the Barossa reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for events and experiences.”
Local businesses are also getting into the spirit. Melba’s Chocolates Angaston and Woodside Managing Director Tom Foristal said, “We are doing a ‘wear your team colours’ for a free scoop of ice cream deal, and we even have team-coloured sprinkles to top them off.”
The service lands at a time when Gather Round continues to deliver major returns for the state. Last year, visitors spent almost $5 million in the Barossa over the weekend, contributing to Gather Round’s broader $114 million economic boost for South Australia. With Barossa Park now upgraded through a $45.7 million redevelopment of Lyndoch Oval, the region is set for another huge weekend of footy, food and local discovery.
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