Visitors keen to experience all that the world-famous Barossa Valley has to offer are being urged to jump on the “blue bus” this weekend.
A fleet of free blue Bounce Around the Barossa buses will provide locals and visitors a free hop-on-hop-off service connecting towns, wineries and other businesses across the iconic wine region.
And there’s good news too for those staying in the city for the footy festival, with the announcement that fans can ride for free on the Adelaide Metro network to every game with a valid Gather Round ticket.
Travellers on the Bounce Around the Barossa service can stop and experience more than 45 local businesses and townships, staying for a tasting, enjoying a long lunch or taking in a cooking demonstration.
Special AFL Gather Round associated events will be hosted at selected venues, including Barossa Distilling Co, Artisans of the Barossa, Barossa Valley Cheese Company, and Seppeltsfield Wines.
The buses will operate from Thursday 10 April to Sunday 13 April, from 9:45am until 5pm each day.
They will depart from Gawler Train Station, with all three routes on offer connecting to Tanunda, and a special Adelaide Metro bus shuttle service will take fans from Gawler Railway Station to Barossa Park and back.
Gawler train services will run every 15 minutes before and after both games at Lyndoch.
To catch the extra Gawler train services, Gather Round ticketholders are encouraged to travel from Adelaide Railway Station or Park’n’Ride from designated stations at Mawson Lakes, Salisbury, Elizabeth or Smithfield.
Fans staying in the Barossa will also have the option of catching a special Barossa Park ‘n’ Ride bus shuttle, with stops at Angaston, Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Williamstown, and the Nuriootpa and Tanunda caravan parks.
Footy Express bus, train and tram services will transport footy tragics to and from each of the five games at Adelaide Oval, with free travel for ticketholders from noon until last service on Thursday 10 April and Friday 11 April, and all-day across the weekend.
Five dedicated bus shuttles will also operate direct to Lyndoch and back, and to and from both games at Norwood Oval, departing from the Festival of Footy at Elder Park, King William Rd.
The Norwood bus shuttle will start earlier and run later on Sunday 13 April to ensure a hassle-free ride for fans kicking on at the Norwood Food & Wine Festival.
And with April being Autism Awareness Month, South Australia is leading the way to be the autism-inclusive state throughout Gather Round.
There will be sensory spaces available at every match and across all three venues.
In addition, the Office for Autism will have an information stand at Adelaide Oval where anyone can learn more about autism and share their ideas for our inclusive state.
Plan your trip, get real-time updates and explore your Gather Round transport options at www.adelaidemetro.com.au.
