Adelaide Hills Guides Attractions Events in South Australia

As the oldest wine region in South Australia, the Adelaide Hills has had time to get things right.

The first vines were planted here in 1839, just three years after settlement.

Drive Adelaide Hills's many scenic routes and you'll find picture-postcard views at every turn; some of the best cool-climate wines in Australia; koalas, kangaroos and enough cute native animals to melt even the most world-weary heart; and gorgeous places to rest your head at the end of gentle days of discovery.

And this little pocket of paradise is so close to Adelaide. Just a few minutes' drive down the South Eastern Freeway and you're away from the rat race and surrounded by manicured vineyards and market gardens, natural Australian bushland and lush green pastures. Each season offers its own appeal: leafy landscapes ablaze with changing colours in autumn; warm fires and historic cottages in winter; blooms and berries in spring; and cool cellar door retreats in summer.

Village Charms

Rolling hills and leafy valleys provide a spectacular backdrop for pretty towns across the Adelaide Hills. You're unlikely to pass through any village without being enticed by a roadside stall, nursery, intriguing shop, aromatic bakery or historic pub. Visit Hahndorf for its German heritage; Woodside for its antiques; Stirling for its organic market and excellent shops; Gumeracha for its giant rocking horse (voted best big thing in Australia); Bridgewater for the award-winning cellar door and restaurant at Bridgewater Mill; Birdwood for the National Motor Museum; Macclesfield for its Sunday market; and Norton Summit for the Scenic Hotel.

Festivals & Events

Experience the best of the Hills at one of many great regional events. There's everything from the Adelaide Hills Harvest Festival for food and wine lovers in February; to the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival in March; the Heysen Festival for arts lovers in September/October; and the spectacular Lobethal Lights Christmas extravaganza in December. Check out the full range on our events listing.

Wine Country

The cool-climate wines of the Adelaide Hills are among the most prestigious in Australia. Discover them at more than 20 cellar doors from Macclesfield in the south to Kersbrook in the north. The region is home to more than 200 grape growers and 50 wine labels: look out for famous names like Petaluma, Nepenthe, Shaw & Smith, Ashton Hills and Chain of Ponds at Gumeracha.

Warrawong

Only in South Australia could a sanctuary for native plants, rare and endangered animals and Aboriginal culture be so close to the city centre. At Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, you can enjoy a self-guided walk between 9am and sunset all year round, or take a guided nocturnal tour to see bilbies, brush-tailed bettongs, Tamar wallabies and the elusive platypus. The sanctuary is just near Mylor (less than 30 minutes from Adelaide) and features convention facilities, a family picnic area, Bilby Cafe and accomodation. A visit to Warrawong is definitely worthwhile.

Food Trail worth Following

Hills producers and chefs show off their skills on the Taste the Adelaide Hills trail. At venues including restaurants, wineries, pubs and cafés, at least one special dish comprises over three-quarters local produce. You’ll also find local specialties at farmers markets through out the region. Grab a trail brochure at Visitor Information Centres throughout the Adelaide Hills.

National Motor Museum

Pick your dream vehicle at the National Motor Museum: the Australian FJ, the Monaro, an Italian beauty, a Norton or Triumph. The museum is much more than a fantastic collection of vehicles – it tells the stories about Australia’s love of cars, and how motoring changed who we are and where we went. Located in Birdwood, the museum costs $9 for adults.

Hans Heysen's The Cedars

Walk in the steps of world famous artist Hans Heysen. The Cedars, his historic property, home, gardens and studio remain much the same as when the great artist died in 1969. It’s just outside the much-loved heritage town of Hahndorf. Tours of The Cedars cost $8 for adults.

Stunning Scenery around Every Bend

Follow the landscape on a scenic drive in the Hills. The valleys, gorges and ridges, and the bush, orchards and vineyards make every route a reward. There are historic villages on the way, national parks and reserves for walks and picnics, and gardens, cellar doors and galleries to visit.

Mount Lofty Summit

Check out spectacular views of Adelaide and Gulf St Vincent at Mount Lofty Summit, a great tourist attraction in its own right but also home to an excellent restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence. The refurbished Visitor Information Centre features hands-on displays of attractions and conservation activities throughout South Australia.

Cuddle a Koala at Cleland

Cuddle a koala and see kangaroos and 120 other native species at Cleland Wildlife Park, just 12 kilometres from the heart of Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills. You'll also see the world's biggest bird aviary, plus there's feed runs at 10am to 3pm daily and great night walks for a look at the world of native nocturnal animals.

Aldgate has retained a historic feel, with the town's buildings now home to a selection of art and craft shops and restaurants. This Adelaide Hills village grew following the construction of the Aldgate Inn in 1864, now the Aldgate Pump.

Stangate House, built in 1840, features an extensive camelia garden and the town's deciduous trees are a delight in both spring and autumn.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Balhannah is a pleasant Adelaide Hills village, popular for its roadside stalls such as the Olde Apple Shed.

Balhannah boasts has a renowned chocolate shop for pure indulgence. If wine tasting is your thing, be sure to visit Nepenthe Wines and Shaw and Smith just out of town. The Balhannah Hotel is popular with locals and the Stanley Bridge Hotel and Maximilian’s Restaurant can be found nearby at Verdun.

Balhannah was founded by a Scottish immigrant named James Turnbull Thomas. There has long been controversy about the name he gave the village, since it may have been known at one time as Belhannah. His mother’s name was Belle and his sister was Hannah, and Bel is Gaelic for village.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Birdwood is an attractive Adelaide Hills village that's home to the popular National Motor Museum.

This museum tells the history of motoring in Australia and has an excellent collection of vintage cars - more than 300 in fact. It’s set in a beautiful complex by the River Torrens. The museum hosts special events each year including the Bay to Birdwood Run, held in September on even years. This is one of the world's great historic motoring events, with a spectacular list of more than 1800 vintage vehicles, complete with passengers in period dress.

And the Bay to Birdwood Classic is held in September on odd years. More than 2,000 classic motor vehicles follow the route from Glenelg to Birdwood, followed by a day of pure classic entertainment at the museum.

Birdwood is the major town in the eastern Adelaide Hills. You'll find a traditional Australian pub and gallery that displays work by local artists, plus several cafes you can stop in. There are some good bushwalking and cycling trails in the area, including the Mawson Trail.

Birdwood was initially named Blumberg by the German settlers who farmed the area in the late 1840s.

Largely regarded as the gateway to the Adelaide Hills, Crafers is one of the oldest towns in the region.

Adelaide’s highest peak, Mount Lofty Summit (710 metres), is a three minute drive from Crafers, and there is an excellent Visitor Information Centre and cafe at its peak.

Other Crafers attractions include the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens - which has an extensive collection of deciduous trees, rhododendrons and a fern gully - and wonderful Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can see and interact with South Australian wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos.

The nearby market gardens and vineyards of Piccadilly and Summertown provide an ideal backdrop for a scenic drive, and the picturesque Mount Lofty Golf Course is nearby.

Crafer's first building was the Sawyers Hotel, built by David Crafer in 1839 – just three years after South Australia was settled. The gathering place of ‘tiersmen’ (timber cutters) who worked the Stringy Bark forests that covered the hills, the pub was a popular haunt for the colony’s cattle thieves, sly grog merchants and bushrangers, who took refuge in the relative isolation of the Hills.

A village quickly grew around the pub and, in 1840, Crafers built a second inn – the Norfolk Hotel, but this burnt down in 1926. In 1880 the Crafers Inn was built and it has remained a popular watering hole to this day.

Once the most important gold fossicking area in South Australia, today Echunga is a pleasant farming town with historic buildings to admire.

The Jupiter Creek Heritage Trail interprets the mining craze that took place in the mid to late 1800s and includes visits to the 80 metre New Phoenix Tunnel and several old shafts. Don’t forget to take your torch! There’s also 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.

Echunga Golf Course covers 5,403 metres of well watered fairways in an Australian setting among large gum trees. 18 greens complement the par 70 course that will suit the average golfer, while providing a challenge to the more experienced. The course is available for play everyday with an honesty box available when the clubhouse is closed.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills is famed for its 18-metre high Giant Rocking Horse, which visitors can climb to survey the leafy surroundings.

Afterwards, wander through the toy factory featuring a wealth of charming wooden creations. Continue through the toy factory and into the adjoining wilderness park, where you can see (and feed) a variety of birds and animals.

Gumeracha is a town that is proud of its history. See beautifully restored buildings, including two churches. The Gumeracha and District History Centre holds a collection of photographs and paraphernalia.

There are also craft and antique shops, two winery cellar doors with restaurants at nearby Chain of Ponds, and various accommodation options.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks. Wander through the National Motor Museum and explore the local wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

One of the Adelaide Hills's most famous towns, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement.

There’s still a strong German flavour in Hahndorf, most evident in the smallgood outlets and German bakeries that line the bustling main street.

Visit the former home and studio of artist Sir Hans Heysen - The Cedars. Take a guided tour of this gracious old home, still owned by the Heysen family. It houses a fine collection of paintings and drawings displaying Heysen's remarkable versatility in subject and medium. Also on the grounds, see Heysen's working studio, his painting materials and tools, sketches, notes and more.

Near Hahndorf, you can pick your own strawberries at Beerenberg. And there are several good winery cellar doors in the area.

Hahndorf has plenty of souvenir shops, craft outlets and galleries, including the Hahndorf Academy - a regional centre for the arts and heritage based in a charming 150-year-old building. Walk through its four galleries, migration museum, artist's studios, art classes and retail gallery.

Take the children to the Hahndorf Farm Barn, a combination of a children's farmyard and a nature wildlife park. You can interact with a wide variety of tame and friendly animals.

Dine at Hahndorf's restaurants and cafes, including the Hahndorf Inn Hotel's award-winning restaurant. It offers traditional German fare and a delightful range of local favourites. Faithfully following traditional German recipes and cooking methods, the Hahndorf Inn is a delightful retreat with family and friends.

Experience South Australia's rail heritage in the town of Littlehampton. Begin your journey at Platform 1 Heritage Farm Railway, where the children can learn all about life on the farm and take a ride on the miniature railway.

This area boasts a strong farming and rail heritage and Littlehampton offers a hotel, restaurant, café and other shops.

Lobethal is a favourite Christmas destination, as this whole Adelaide Hills town gets into the Christmas spirit and decorates homes and businesses with a myriad of coloured lights to welcome the thousands of visitors who come to celebrate the festive season.

The Onkaparinga Woollen Mill, for which the town was once well known, is now a small business centre that includes several food producers, artisans and craftspeople. The Mill also hosts the Adelaide Hills Market on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike.

Families will also enjoy Fairyland Village, which depicts fairy tales in life-sized displays, and the National Costume Museum, which holds an amazing collection of clothing and accessories from the past two centuries.

Macclesfield is a small town in the leafy Adelaide Hills of South Australia.

You can wander the town with its historic buildings and old village feeling and enjoy a meal and a drink at one of the local historic hotels.

It still has wonderful examples of early stone architecture that remain as dwellings to this day and there are an abundance of good walks both in and around the village.

The Macclesfield Weekly Market is operated by the Battunga Country Growers' Market, held every Sunday. Grab fabulous home-grown, handmade, organic and fair trade produce.

You can drive to Macclesfield on the beautiful Angus River Scenic Drive (route B33). It takes about 45 minutes from the city of Adelaide.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

One of the fastest growing regional centres in Australia, Mount Barker is the retail hub of the Adelaide Hills.

Mount Barker is also a town rich in history. The Mount Barker Council Heritage Walk offers an insight into the history of the town, taking in the heritage buildings of Murray Street and Auchendarroch, built in 1878 by prominent South Australian Robert Barr Smith as the family’s summer residence. Restored to its former glory, it is now part of the Wallis entertainment complex.

Looming over the town is Mount Barker Summit, which has excellent views of the surrounding area. The Mount Barker Summit Scenic Drive takes in the Summit Conservation Park as well as the Laratinga Wetlands, where there is a good linear walk. Families will enjoy a visit to Keith Stephenson Park, which has picnic facilities and South Australia’s largest skate park.

Mount Barker is also the home of Steamranger - a vintage steam-powered train that travels to Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor - and a tree-lined 18-hole golf course. And more recently, the town has become known as the home of leading natural skincare company Jurlique. Tours of their herb field, where much of their produce is grown, are available by appointment.

Pubs, restaurants, petrol stations, supermarkets and speciality shops can all be found here, as well as sporting facilities, a hospital and several banks.

Mount Torrens is one of the Adelaide Hills's most well preserved historic towns.

Declared a State Heritage town by the South Australian government, Mount Torrens's main street is lined with picture perfect 19th century buildings including an old inn, flour mill and several private homes. Today small acre farming, dairying and grape growing are the main industries and there is also a Clydesdale Stud near the town.

Mount Torrens is halfway between Adelaide and the Murray River, which saw it become a popular staging point for bullock teams travelling from the river. It was settled in 1853 by George Dunn. In the 1860s gold was discovered and this led to a population boom.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Visit Mylor in the Adelaide Hills. Stop for a meal in its fully licenced cafe has opened, boasting international cuisine.

Don't miss the nearby Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, set on 14 hectares of natural bushland. Take a guided dawn or dusk walk, enjoy the restaurant, or even stay overnight in its bush cabin accommodation. Depending on the time of day, you might see bettongs, potteroos, native birds, wallabies, reptiles and platypus.

Selected as the ideal spot for a town development by former Surveyor-General Sir George Woodroffe Goyder, Mylor was established in 1891. Initially referred to as Warrakilla, the town’s name changed to Mylor after the Acting Governor’s Cornish birthplace. Interestingly, it was perhaps the only town in the Adelaide Hills not to have a pub – its largely Methodist population resisting the temptation.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Nairne, in the scenic Adelaide Hills, has historic buildings lining the main street, including the town’s first school which opened in 1851, and the Miller’s Arms Hotel.

There’s a good antique shop and a blacksmith shop selling wrought iron wares in Nairne, along with an excellent nursery, which specialises in roses and hydrangeas on the outskirts of town.

Named after founder Matthew Smillie’s wife, Elizabeth Nairne, this is a rapidly growing town with a rich history. Famous as a wheat growing area, the old Albert Mill is an impressive structure, showcasing historical architecture. In the late 19th century the Chapman’s Smallgoods Factory became a major employer and continued to be until its closure in 2002.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Surrounded by apple and cherry orchards, Norton Summit is home to beautiful 19th century homes and quaint cottages, some of which offer bed and breakfast accommodation.

At the centre of the Norton Summit is the Scenic Hotel. Its balcony offers stunning views over the Hills to Adelaide.

At nearby Aston, Marble Hill, built in 1878, was the former summer residence of South Australian Governors until it was ruined by a bushfire in 1955. Its ruins are open to the public on the second Sunday of every month. You can wander among the many walking trails, have a light lunch in the tea rooms or take a picnic and enjoy panoramic views from the ranges to the sea.

Further afield, bushwalkers will enjoy a visit to the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, while Morialta Conservation Park is popular with rock climbers. More information on what to see and do in the area can be found at the Adelaide Hills Natural Resource Centre in Norton Summit.

One of the oldest towns in South Australia, Norton Summit was settled in 1837 just months after European settlement by Englishman Robert Norton. The town is also a family home of former South Australian Premier Sir Thomas Playford.

Oakbank is the site of the biggest picnic race meeting in the southern hemisphere, the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival.

Oakbank is an attractive Adelaide Hills town housing two historical breweries – one now selling cordials and soft drinks to the public and the other home to the Oakbank Weaver, where hand woven textiles and tapestries are produced on eight large looms.

Every Easter, the Oakbank racecourse brings thousands to the town to see the Great Eastern Steeplechase.

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. There’s also a nine-hole golf course, said to be one of the best of its kind in the country.

During the two days of the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, the racecourse erupts with an explosion of racing, sideshows, fashion, picnics, friends and families. It attracts thousands of people. The centre of the course becomes a "Disneyland", a place of fun and fantasia for the young and not so young.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Pretty Stirling, in the Adelaide Hills, is home to some of South Australia’s most beautiful homes.

Stirling became popular with Adelaide’s wealthy residents in the 1800s, 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 Stirling's magnificent ‘English’ gardens are accessible to visitors via the Open Garden Scheme.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, country markets, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Surrounded by market gardens, orchards and vineyards, Uraidla’s stunning setting makes it a favourite with many visitors.

Uraidla is known for its Hills Produce Market, open on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 10am to 3pm. The market sells fresh produce, gourmet foods, plants and cut flowers.

The Uraidla Show, held in February, offers all the fun of a traditional country show and the Uraidla Hotel is a good option for meals or a glass of local wine.

While in the area, take a few minutes and divert to Basket Range - arguably one of the prettiest scenic areas of the Adelaide Hills.

Uraidla's origins can be traced back to 1840, but it wasn’t until the 1870s that the area really boomed, with farming the main industry. The valley that surrounds Uraidla was christened Chapel Valley after the wooden chapel built there by the early settlers; however, they replaced it with a stone version in the 1850s. Though its no longer there, a replica model sits in the pioneer cemetery on Swamp Road.

And there's more to discover in the Adelaide Hills.

It's the home of boutique wineries, historic homes, art galleries and charming villages. It's also the place for romantic weekends away, cosy pub meals, scenic drives and nature walks.

Children love the Adelaide Hills's giant rocking horse, National Motor Museum and wildlife parks.

Located only 20 minutes from Adelaide's central business district, the Adelaide Hills provide a wonderfully refreshing change from the pace of the city.

Woodside is a popular town with plenty on offer, including several pubs, antique shops, cafes and accommodation; and a country market is held on the third Sunday of each month.

A kilometre or so out of town, Heritage Park houses several interesting attractions, including Melba’s Chocolate Factory, which offers tastings and demonstrations of chocolate and lolly-making, using antique equipment, and Woodside Cheese Wrights.

Details on what to see and do in the area can be found at the Woodside Visitor Information outlet in the main street.