‘A national icon for South Australia’: Barossa’s $50m luxury hotel gets green light

A $50 million six-star luxury hotel in South Australia’s Barossa Valley has been granted planning approval in a landmark decision that is expected to drive tourism in the region.

The Oscar Hotel at Seppeltsfield Winery was given the thumbs up by the Light Regional Council at a council meeting on June 1, after a lengthy and costly consultation process.

“We are thrilled to finally have approval and to move into the next phases after investing almost $2 million into the project to date,” said Project Director, Toby Yap.

An application for the project was first submitted in April 2020, but following consultation with neighbours soon after, changes were made to the project, including the location and height of the hotel. A revised development application was then submitted in February 2022.

Construction is set to being later this year, and the luxury hotel operator selected through a tender process will be announced soon.

The 12-story hotel will have 71 rooms, including suites and penthouses, each with a private balcony. The property will also feature a 360-degree viewing deck on the top level, a wellness day spa, relaxation spaces and infinity pool, as well as a world-class restaurant, private dining room and boardroom.

“The Oscar Seppeltsfield will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan – to be the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide,” said Seppeltsfield Proprietor and Executive Chairman, Warren Randall.

“A national icon for South Australia, a Sydney Opera House for the Barossa.”

The hotel will be positioned in the middle of Seppeltsfield’s Great Terraced Vineyard and surrounded by century old bush vines. It will also be a short distance from the Seppeltsfield precinct which features its Cellar Door, Centennial Cellar, 1888 Gravity Cellar, FINO restaurant, Jam Factory Craft and Design Studios, Artisan Knife Making, and much more.

“After wide and extended community consultation and support for the first six-star luxury resort and spa in an Australian wine district, the Barossa is the winner,” Randall added.

The property is expected to bring an additional $90 million in tourism expenditure and drive growth in domestic and international visitor economy within the first five years.

“It is anticipated that the construction of this iconic building will drive visitation in the broader region and act as a catalyst future new development activity,” Yap said.