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Adelaide Hills

Adelaide Hills is part of the Mount Lofty Ranges and is a pleasant, thirty minute drive South East of Adelaide. There's plenty to do in these wonderful hills full of large Gum trees, including bush walking or visiting the Conservation Parks, historic townships and wineries. The region is known for its wine, the most famous found in Lenswood, recognised for its Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, the Piccadilly Valley, or Chain of Ponds, producing a fine Chardonnay. For a full view of the surrounding hills, city and sea, climb Mt. Lofty Summit, set among the green forest, orchards and rocky views of Adelaide Hills.

On the way to Adelaide Hills there are various places worth visiting along the way, and plenty of scenic routes which you can take to get there. Heading north through Adelaide Hills towards the Barossa Valley you will come across Birdwood, a small town that is home to the National Motor Museum which has some great displays. You can either continue north from here or head south through the ranges and various nature parks along the way. The Morialta Conservation Park has absolutely fantastic landscape made up of rocky gorges and waterfalls. It is a really pretty place and shouldn’t be missed. If you want to see some animals then head further south to the Cleland Wildlife Park. Rising 727m high behind the park is Mt. Lofty, where you can dine with spectacular views over Adelaide. It is only a 2km walk from the Wildlife Park, although you can also drive. Nearby, the pleasant Mt. Lofty Botanical Gardens also make a nice visit.

South of this is the Belair National Park which hosts the Old Parliament House (a summer residence for the governor). There is also another wildlife sanctuary at Warrawong. Also towards the south of Adelaide Hills is Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia. Many of the pretty German buildings still stand, and the pub in the German Arms Hotel has all the atmosphere of any one of the exciting pubs in Germany itself. There is also an interesting museum and art and craft gallery within the Hahndorf Academy, as well as tours to Hahn’s house ‘The Cedars’.

Another historic town is Strathalbyn, which was settled this time by Scottish immigrants. There are some beautiful walking trails around the historic buildings in the town, including the Old Courthouse and Police Station (now a museum) and St. Andrew’s Church.

You can bush walk through the various forests, spotting parrots and songbirds along the way. Popular trails include the Heysen Trail, or along the Almanda Silver Mine, Scott Creek and Jupiter Creek Gold Diggings, Echunga. You can also horse ride, visit the numerous museums or take a steam train to the coast (seasonal).

There are some YHA hostels in the area, although they are open to members only. There are also several small guesthouses in the numerous towns as well as small country puns where you can get some food. However, the Adelaide Hills is only a short distance from Adelaide and so makes a perfect day trip.

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