The small village of Bethany is the site of the first German settlement in the Barossa. It is one of the few surviving examples of a ‘hufendorf’, a democratic form of Silesian village layout, where each family had its own long strip of land stretching from the main street in front of the cottage to a common pasture bordered by a creek. Beautiful Herberge Christi Church is a focal point, alongside the old school buildings and opposite the pioneer cemetery with its distinctive 18th century revivalist ornamentation. The street is still lined with many early cottages (most now private residences), with some faithful examples of early German peasant architecture. Towards the hills is Bethany Reserve, a popular, peaceful and shady picnic location. The Bethany Vineyard, owned by the fifth generation of the Schrapel family is nestled into the ranges at the top of Bethany Road and offers sweeping valley views.
