 In the late nineteenth century many of Adelaide's wealthy residents discovered that the Hills provided the perfect cool retreat from the city's hot summers. They set about building grand summer houses and this development paved the way for picturesque villages.
The Adelaide Hills is unique in proximity to urban Adelaide - no other Australian capital city has the good fortune of such a distinct landscape being an easy half-hour drive away. Major towns include Stirling, Hahndorf and Mount Barker. |  | | | | Birdwood |  | Initially named Blumberg by the German settlers who farmed the area in the late 1840s, Birdwood is the major town in the eastern Adelaide Hills. Its most popular attraction is the National Motor Museum. The town has a traditional Australian pub and gallery that displays work by local artists, and there are some good bushwalking and cycling trails in the area, including the Mawson Trail.
|
| | | | | Echunga | | Once the most important gold fossicking area in South Australia, today Echunga is a pleasant farming town with a good selection of historic buildings. The Jupiter Creek Heritage Trail interprets the mining craze that took place in the 1800s and includes visits to the 80-metre New Phoenix Tunnel and several old shafts. Don’t forget to take your torch! There’s a heritage walk available in town and a treasure market on the first Saturday of each month. Surrounded by rich farmland and natural bushland, the 18-hole Echunga Golf Club is another attraction.
|
| | | | | Gumeracha | | Settled in 1839, Gumeracha is a town proud of its history. You’ll find several beautifully restored buildings, including two churches. One of Gumeracha’s most famous citizens was Captain WR Randell, who pioneered the Murray River boat trade in the early 1900s. Children will enjoy a visit to the Toy Factory and Giant Rocking Horse - visitors can climb to the top of the 60 feet horse or check out the wooden toys in the workshop. Gumeracha also has some good craft and antique shops, accommodation and restaurants, as well as two winery cellar doors (both with restaurants) at nearby Chain of Ponds.
|
| | | | | Hahndorf | | One of the Adelaide Hills most famous towns, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Established in 1839 Hahndorf has plenty of quality souvenir shops, craft outlets and galleries, including the Hahndorf Academy. There’s still a strong German flavour in the town, most evident in the smallgood outlets and bakeries that line the main street. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at Beerenberg or visit the former home and studio of Sir Hans Heysen - The Cedars. There are good winery cellar doors in the area and the Hahndorf Farm Barn is an enjoyable stop for families.
|
| | | | | Littlehampton | | The town of Littlehampton has a hotel, restaurant, café and other shops. The area boasts a strong farming and rail heritage, and a good place to experience this is at Platform 1 Heritage Farm Railway. Here the kids can learn all about life on the farm, as well as take a ride on the miniature railway.
|
| | | | | Lobethal | | Lobethal was established in 1838 by German settlers fleeing religious persecution. The town became famous for the Onkaparinga Woollen Mill, now a small business incubator for several food producers, artisans and craftspeople. It also hosts the Heart of the Hills Market every Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday. Today, Lobethal is perhaps most famous for its annual Christmas lights display. The Lights of Lobethal Festival sees hundreds of residents and businesses decorate their homes and premises with colourful lights, bringing festive cheer to thousands of people who make the pilgrimage to the town.
|
| | | | | Macclesfield | | A well-preserved town, Macclesfield is surrounded by rich farmland, native bushland and vineyards, making it a pleasant location for a day in the Adelaide Hills. Designed around a village square, the town was a thriving major transport route during the 1850s gold rush. Today, there are two pubs (one traditional English style), a winery and an excellent growers’ market, which is held every Sunday. The Macclesfield Historic Walk takes visitors into the backstreets of town, providing a good opportunity to admire its pink stone buildings. A relatively flat area, Macclesfield is also good for walking and cycling.
|
| | | | | Meadows | | Originally surveyed in 1840, Meadows remains a strong dairy farming and forestry area. The town has several historic buildings, craft shops, a winery and an excellent bakery, which also has a good range of tourist information. A country market is held monthly. South of Meadows, the Prospect Hill Museum tells the story of the dairy industry in the Adelaide Hills, and includes a recreated milk room. It’s open Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. The nearby 5,000 hectare Kuitpo Forest is a great spot for bushwalking, cycling and horseriding.
|
| | | | | Mount Barker | | One of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia, Mount Barker is the retail hub of the Adelaide Hills. Pubs, restaurants, petrol stations, supermarkets and speciality shops can all be found here, as well as sporting facilities, a hospital and several banks. The Mount Barker Council Heritage Walk offers a good insight into the history of the town, including Auchendarroch House built in 1878 - now part of the Wallis entertainment complex. Mount Barker Summit, Laratinga Wetlands and Keith Stephenson Park are also great attractions. Take a ride on Steamranger - a vintage steam-powered train - or tour natural skincare company Jurlique’s herbfield by appointment.
|
| | | | | Oakbank | | The site of the biggest picnic race meeting in the southern hemisphere, Oakbank is an attractive town housing two historical breweries - one now selling cordials and soft drinks to the public and the other home to the Oakbank Weaver with tapestries on display. The Oakbank Heritage Walk takes in all the historic sights, including a 130-year-old oak tree that is listed on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees. Each Easter, the racecourse brings thousands to the town to see the Great Eastern Steeplechase. There’s also a nine-hole golf course, said to be one of the best of its kind in the country.
|
| | | | | Stirling | | Home to some of South Australia’s most beautiful homes, Stirling became popular with Adelaide’s wealthy residents, who built summer houses to escape the heat of the plains in the late nineteenth century. A walk through Stirling will reveal many of these homes, including some that have been converted to bed and breakfast accommodation. The tree-lined main street, a riot of colour in both spring and autumn, has a good collection of cafes, restaurants and shops. Many of the magnificent ‘English’ gardens are open to visitors via the Open Garden Scheme.
|
| | | | | Woodside | | Established in the 1850s, Woodside is now a popular town with plenty on offer. Nearby Heritage Park houses several interesting attractions including the Mill Shop of Onkaparinga and Melba’s Chocolate Factory offers tastings, chocolate and lolly-making demonstrations using antique equipment. Head for the Woodside Horse and Trail Riding Centre, which offers guided horse riding through scenic Australian bush. In town there are several pubs, antique shops and cafes. A country market is held on the third Saturday of each month. Details on what to see and do in the area can be found at the Woodside Visitor Information outlet in the main street.
|
|
| |
|
|
BACK TO HOME
ABOUT THE ADELAIDE HILLS
