Welcome to the 7th Border Collie National

7 - 10 OCTOBER 2027

​HOSTED BY THE BORDER COLLIE CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.
GAWLER SHOWGROUNDS, NIXON TCE, GAWLER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Located on Kaurna country near Paridla Taikunthi (meaning 'rivers coming together') at the junction of the North Para, South Para and Gawler Rivers, the Gawler Showgrounds will set the stage for the 7th Border Collie National in Australia, proudly hosted by the Border Collie Club of South Australia Inc. and supported by the Town of Gawler.

45 minutes north of South Australia's capital city Adelaide, Gawler is easily accessible to travellers from all directions via the Sturt Highway, Horrocks Highway/Main North Road, the Northern Expressway (from National Highway A1 or the North/South Motorway) and from the Princes Highway through the Adelaide Hills from Murray Bridge through to Barossa Valley Way and down into Gawler. For those using public transport, the Adelaide Metro train service along the Gawler Central line has the closest station at Gawler Oval a quick 250m (4 min) walk to the showground entrance, and Adelaide Metro buses running regular loop routes throughout the town.
The oldest country town in the state of South Australia and often known as 'The Best of Town and Country' and the gateway to the Barossa, Gawler and the surrounding area has plenty to offer visitors. There are multiple accommodation and shopping options within the town, various parks and paths for opportunities to explore, relax or play, and if you're looking to visit and take advantage of the region's world-famous wineries, enjoy a short 30 minute drive into the Barossa Valley to visit towns such as Lyndoch, Tanunda or Angaston! Families may also like to take advantage of the local skate park or head out for some fun to the Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir in Williamstown and hear each other whisper from over 100 metres away.
The Border Collie Club of South Australia Inc. is excited to have the opportunity to host the 7th Border Collie National and showcase our state and the wonderful Border Collie breed across a variety of disciplines throughout the event. Border Collie exhibitors, owners and lovers are invited to join us from the 7th to 10th of October 2027 to share in this massive event promoting and celebrating our beautiful breed and dog sports in such a fantastic location. We thank the Town of Gawler staff and elected members for their ongoing support and enthusiasm. More details will be coming soon, so stay tuned!

Dog Sports at the National

Come and watch dogs from all over Australia and even some international entrants compete in a variety of events such as the huge national conformation show, agility, jumping and agility games trials, dances with dogs competition, trick dog test, herding trial, obedience trial, rally trial, and scent work trial. The Border Collie is an extremely intelligent, athletic and versatile breed, with many dogs and their handlers likely to compete across a range of these different disciplines throughout the National.

All disciplines will be hosted at the Gawler Showgrounds, with the exception of herding - the location of which is TBA.

About the Venue

Full Complex Access

The event will be held across the full complex comprising the Gawler Oval/Greyhound Racing Track, Princes Park, Sport & Community Centre and Nixon's Function Centre with plenty of space for all events (except herding) to be run as well as food trucks, stalls, exhibitor camping, parking and the ability to host all official catered functions on-site.

Indoor Facilities

The Gawler Sport & Community Centre will serve as our official office location and one of our scent work areas, as well as provide us with an indoor option if required due to weather. Located between the Oval and Princes Park, it contains multiple rooms, a large court area and toilet/change facilities with plenty of parking for the public outside.

Function Centre

Nixon's Function Centre can host up  to 190 patrons and offers a beautiful second storey view with huge windows and a deck overlooking the picturesque Gawler Oval/Greyhound Track. This is where we will host all official functions such as the dinner and presentations. Full kitchen and bar facilities featuring quality local wines from the Barossa and Hills.

Local Accommodation

On-site self-contained camping will be available to exhibitors, and a notification will go out via social media when bookings are open for this. In the meantime, there are lots of options for accommodation throughout Gawler and surrounds, from dog friendly caravan parks to hotels, motels, apartments and boutique bed & breakfast venues.
Caravan Parks

G'Day Parks - ​Gawler Caravan Park

7 Main North Rd, Gawler
​Distance to Gawler Showgrounds - 1.1km
Gawler Caravan Park is located opposite the intersection of Main North Rd and Victoria Tce - which leads directly down to the Showgrounds on Nixon Tce. They have a number of powered sites available, as well as quite a few dog-friendly cabins for those travelling without self-contained camping ability. Below we have marked their dog-friendly cabins with a paw print and listed which cabins they are, please visit the links to review their Pet Policy and to see their cabins.

Gawler Gateway Tourist Park

3134 Main North Rd, Evanston South
​Distance to Gawler Showgrounds - 10.7km
Situated 5km south of Gawler in between the town and the northern suburbs of Adelaide, the Gawler Gateway Tourist Park allows dogs on powered sites only. Please visit the links to review their Pet Policy and website.

Other Caravan Parks

There are a number of other caravan parks in the surrounding areas, please see the links below for more information.
Williamstown - 20km
​21 mins
Tanunda - 25km
​21 mins
​​Nuriootpa - 32km
​25 mins
Bolivar - 30km
​25 mins
hotels/motels
  • Gawler
  • Lyndoch
  • Rowland Flat
  • Tanunda
  • Nuriootpa
  • Angaston
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The Gawler Arms Hotel

102 Murray St, Gawler
​Distance to Showgrounds - 1.2km
The Gawler Arms Hotel features 14 guest rooms which will be reserved predominantly for judges and other travelling event officials and dignitaries. Located in the main street of Gawler with a popular restaurant downstairs, the Arms is Gawler's most sophisticated accommodation option and a fantastic venue for our event officials.

The Lyndoch Motel

1221 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch
Distance to Showgrounds - 14km
The newly renovated Lyndoch Motel has 34 guest rooms blending retro 60's charm with modern comfort and is only a 15 minute drive from the event, located at the edge of the Barossa Valley overlooking rolling hills and beautiful vineyards.

Novotel Barossa Valley Resort

Pioneer Ave via Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat
Distance from Showgrounds - 23km
Located in the heart of the wine region adjacent the Tanunda Pines Golf Course, the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is approximately 25 minutes away from the Border Collie National and all 140 rooms and apartments feature balconies and stunning panoramic views of the Jacob's Creek vineyards and Barossa Valley Ranges. The Cellar Kitchen Restaurant is open 7 days a week and the Endota Day Spa completes the resort pampering experience.

The Tanunda Club Guest Suites

45 MacDonnell St, Tanunda
Distance to Showgrounds - 27km
Just under half an hour from Gawler, the township of Tanunda is a great option for those looking to maximise their time in the Barossa Valley region whilst still not missing any of the action at the Border Collie National. Upstairs at the popular local Clubhouse are newly completed Guest Suites with King Rooms (some with balconies) and a Two Bedroom Family Suite. Click on the link below for more details.

Tanunda Apartments

51 Murray St, Tanunda
Distance to Showgrounds - 27km
At the rear of the historic Tanunda Hotel, the Tanunda Apartments are a great option for travellers looking to be close to the National and based in the beautiful Barossa Valley. Alongside the 9 modern, spacious self-contained apartments all with spas, queen beds, ensuites, kitchenettes and laundry facilities, the hotel also has budget accommodation with ensuite rooms and shared facilities. See the link below for more information.

The Wine Vine Hotel

182 Murray St, Tanunda
​Distance to Showgrounds - 28km
The Barossa Valley's newest hotel, The Wine Vine is located slightly further than the Tanunda Hotel and another great options for those travelling without dogs who would like to take advantage of the proximity to the Barossa Valley while still being within a half hour drive of the Border Collie National.

Barossa Weintal Hotel

235 Murray St, Tanunda
Distance to Showgrounds - 29km
Still within walking distance of the Tanunda town centre but tucked away from the main road, Barossa Weintal features an on-site restaurant and spacious refurbished suites with a choice of spa suites, one or two-bedroom apartments and ensuite rooms with king-size beds. Even better, they are pet friendly! Contact the hotel to enquire.

Barossa Palms Motel

5-9 Kalimna Rd, Nuriootpa
Distance from Showgrounds - 32km
Further from Gawler than Tanunda yet located right on the Sturt Highway keeping the travel time to just under half an hour, Nuriootpa is well located in the Barossa Valley and the Barossa Palms Motel is a peaceful, comfortable accommodation option with Queen, Triple and Family Rooms, a Spa Apartment and wellness spa and gym amenities.

Vine Inn Barossa Community Hotel

14-22 Murray St, Nuriootpa
Distance from Showgrounds - 32km
With accommodation options across two locations in the heart of Nuriootpa, you can choose between staying at the Vine Inn Hotel with 18 4-star rooms both upstairs and at ground level and award-winning restaurant, or in one of the seven one-bedroom or four 2-bedroom 4-star self-contained apartments at Vine Court 350m away.

Angaston Vineyards Motel

751 Stockwell Rd, Angaston
Distance to Showgrounds - 38km
Deeper into the Barossa Valley lies the Angaston Vineyards Motel centrally located between Angaston, Nuriootpa and Tanunda with King, Queen, Double Queen, Twin, Triple and Family Rooms. Just across the road from the Barossa Farmers Market and Vintner's Bar & Grill, The Angaston Vineyards Motel is approximately 30 minutes from Gawler.

Barossa Brauhaus Hotel

41 Murray St, Angaston
​Distance to Showgrounds - 40km
Located in the main street of Angaston, the Barossa Brauhaus Hotel has 5 traditional upstairs hotel rooms with 4 shared bathrooms and a shared balcony overlooking the main street. The Brauhaus is a 30 - 40 minute drive to Gawler past scenic vineyards amongst farmland and the natural South Australian landscape.
​Bed & Breakfast

Recommended Properties

Being in such a tourism-friendly area, there are quite literally hundreds of self-contained accommodation options throughout Gawler and the surrounding areas. Notable mentions close to the Gawler Showgrounds are the Eagle Foundry Bed & Breakfast (23-25 King St) with four suites, The Palms (next door at 21 King St) which is a pet-friendly four-bedroom home, Number 24 (24 King St) with three bedrooms and also pet-friendly, and The King Suite (27 King St) with three bedrooms. Located just around the corner on Victoria Terrace is The Victoria Suite (17 Victoria Tce) with two bedrooms and on Cameron Street houses number 4 (one bedroom) and 6 (two bedrooms) are homes with pet-friendly, secure backyards. Another pet-friendly residence close by is 'Church Hill Mews' at 19 Cowan Street, with three self-contained suites available. Bookings or enquiries for these properties can be made using the below links.

Other Listings

More Details Coming Soon!

We are very early in the planning phase of the National and notifications will increase as we get closer to the event.
In the meantime, stay tuned to the Facebook page and keep checking back here!