From the Barossa to France in 20 minutes
South Australians like to boast about their beaches, their hills and 20 minutes-to-everywhere drives.
But it's not often they pride themselves on delivering a slice of France.
The Barossa Chateau could well be their best attempt to capture this Gallic spirit, with its intricate Baroque architecture, touch of renaissance design and period antique and art pieces.
The function room has marble floors, while three Maria Theresa-style chandeliers hang overhead; the elegance lifts visitors out of the doldrums of city life and into a world of opulent sophistication - it's up to them to embrace it or shun it.
The chateau is located in South Australia's famed wine producing region, the Barossa Valley, an hour's drive from Adelaide.
The Barossa is a gourmet delight, where tourists indulge in local fresh produce and, of course, a glass or two of wine.
What truly sets the chateau apart is its sprawling grounds, home to more than 30,000 roses spread across an estate.
There are five kilometres of sweet-smelling paths to explore the roses.
The chateau's former owner, wine baron Hermann Thumm, settled in the Barossa Valley in 1947.
He was a huge success in the wine industry and he and his wife, Inga, had a love of antiques, and also turned to promoting fine arts and tourism in the area.
Thumm's passion for finer things led to an unlikely and unexpected meeting.
He started his rose garden hoping to leave a grand legacy for South Australia - which he did.
The project led to him enjoying an audience with Queen Elizabeth who opened the gardens in 2002.
Looking over the rose gardens and sipping complimentary wine and tasting some cheese you can feel a little like the Queen herself.
The estate also showcases one of the largest collections of porcelain in Australia.
Thumm's extensive 35-year collection is from the early 18th and 19th centuries and includes pieces from the great porcelain houses of Meissen, Sevres, Royal Worcester and Chelsea.
Lyndoch Hill Restaurant is a short stroll from the chateau and has a large outside terrace where you can take in the majestic purple and fiery orange sunset over the Barossa ranges and, if you are lucky, listen to a symphony of local birdlife.
The restaurant's focus is regional and seasonal produce, much of it from its own herb and vegetable gardens.
You might even catch the charming English chef, Dave Friend, who tends to the organic produce and shares his love of the plants with anyone wanting to stop for a chat.
That can sometimes include his companion chef, Alana Brabin, who spends her days off soaking up the experience and wisdom of her learned counterpart.
He passes on his knowledge of the humble plant life, just as she delights in the results when the produce is harvested for sautéing, blanching, caramelising, or simply raw sculpting; and tenderly plated for guests.
More than 170 years after European settlement, visitors can experience much of the Barossa's heritage in its museums, old churches, historic cemeteries and natural wonders.
The Barossa Heritage Trail links many of these sites, and is a key to unravelling the region's secrets.
The Barossa Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail is an experience in itself.
Along the self-guided, wine-tasting walk you can visit Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, Penfolds Winery, local bakeries, butchers, farmers markets and olive farms - the fun is in planning your own itinerary and your gourmet hamper, of course.
The Lyndoch Lavender Farm is also close by, should you feel the need to soothe your soul.
With all the wine consumption and what kids might consider "boring" rose gardens, the Barossa can sound like an adults-only destination, but your kids may find it hard to resist knowing more about the family who lived in a tree house.
The Herbig Family Tree in Springton is the first home of Johann Friedrich Herbig, his wife and their first two (of 16) children.
A skate park, BMX track, bike trails, public pools, bowling centre with glow-in-the dark lighting and family-friendly mini-golf are all in close proximity.
A family trip to the Barossa may just have you smelling the roses.
Written by Betty Samis. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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