Bounce Around the Barossa bus service underway

South Australians and visitors heading to the Barossa to soak up the AFL Gather Round can catch a free hop-on-hop-off bus, connecting footy fans to towns, wineries and businesses across the iconic wine region.

The ‘Bounce Around the Barossa’ service runs each day of Gather Round and has returned this year to provide a free and safe option for people to enjoy world-class hospitality paired with action-packed footy in the region.

Travellers can stop and experience more than 55 local businesses and townships, stay for a tasting, enjoy a long lunch and get behind Barossa traders. 

This year’s initiative builds on the inaugural Bounce Around the Barossa, with more than 4,000 trips taken last year and 45 local businesses and townships covered.

Available to anyone, with or without a Gather Round footy ticket, services will run daily from 10am to 4pm across three dedicated loops – South, East and West.

The South Route departs from the Gawler Railway Station, stopping at Lyndoch Town Centre, Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo and Grant Burge wineries and finishing in Tanunda’s main street, before returning to Gawler.

The East Route leaves Tanunda before visiting Artisans of Barossa, Lambert Estate, Yalumba and Melba’s Chocolates before stopping at Angaston. It will then continue to Provenance, Kaesler Wines, Pirathon and Barossa Valley Chocolate Company before returning to Tanunda.

The West Route departs Tanunda heading to the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, Pirathon, Kaesler Wines and Provenance Barossa before stopping at Nuriootpa, then Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, Seppeltsfield Estate and Marananga.

The Barossa Food and Wine Village – a feast of flavour, fun and footy transforming Tanunda’s main street – is a post-match option the service will cover on Saturday.

Last year footy fans and visitors spent almost $5 million in the Barossa over the course of the weekend, part of Gather Round’s almost $114 million economic boost for South Australia.

This weekend’s Barossa Park matches follow a $45.7 million upgrade to the Lyndoch Oval venue – jointly delivered by the State Government and The Barossa Council – transforming the site ahead of the 2025 AFL Gather Round.

Visitors and locals are also reminded to take advantage of the new travel app Explore South Australia, which makes it even easier for local and interstate footy fans to discover the best of the state and everything AFL Gather Round has to offer.

The app allows fans to quickly and easily check fixtures, find details of club appearances and Festival of Footy events and search nearby hospitality and experiences wherever they are in SA.

Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said getting on board this initiative helps drive more visitors into local cellar doors, restaurants, shops and the main streets – delivering a big economic boost to the Barossa region.  

“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 said.

“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 last year was a huge success

“This year we’re looking forward to building on that momentum to deliver an even bigger and better experience for footy fans and visitors,” he 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.”

“As a region, we can’t wait to welcome interstate visitors and encourage them to spend time exploring the region beyond football.”

“The whole Gather Round weekend in the Barossa reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for events and experiences.”

Melba’s Chocolates Managing Director Tom Foristal said he and the team are very excited to welcome AFL Gather Round back into the Barossa for 2026.

“Melba’s at Angaston is all decked out and ready to party, we’ve got games on the lawns, special treats and a few surprises,” he 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.”