Adelaide Hills

Escape the city bustle and ascend into the Adelaide Hills, a cool, green refuge of rolling vineyards, historic villages, and bushland trails just a 20-minute drive from Adelaide's centre. This is South Australia's original wine region, where German settlers left a legacy of stone cottages, artisan bakeries, and cellar doors tucked into misty valleys. Whether you're after a gourmet road trip, a cultural detour, or a scenic hike, the Hills reward with every twist of the road.

Highlights & What to See

• Hahndorf – Australia's oldest surviving German settlement, brimming with half-timbered buildings, fudge shops, and pubs serving schnitzel and steins.
• Cleland Wildlife Park – Get up close with kangaroos, koalas, and emus in a bushland setting; you can even hand-feed a wallaby.
• Mount Lofty Summit – Panoramic views over Adelaide to the sea; arrive for sunrise or sunset, and combine with a walk in Cleland Conservation Park.
• Beerenberg Farm – Pick your own strawberries in season (October–April) or stock up on jams and chutneys at the farm shop.
• Lobethal & Woodside – Quaint villages known for the Lobethal Bierhaus craft brewery and the Woodside Cheese Wrights' artisan fromage.
• Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary – A predator-proof haven where you can spot platypuses, bilbies, and other native critters on guided night walks.
• The Cedars – Home and studio of acclaimed painter Hans Heysen, set amid beautiful gardens and galleries.

Suggested Time to Spend

You can easily do a day trip from Adelaide, but to really soak up the Hills' pace, spend two days. Start with Hahndorf's shops and a winery lunch, then hike Mount Lofty or visit Cleland. On day two, explore the southern villages (Stirling, Aldgate) and a wildlife sanctuary. If you're self-driving, the Hills make a perfect overnight stop en route to the Barossa Valley or Fleurieu Peninsula.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Barossa Valley – Just north, Australia's most famous wine region, with cellar doors from Penfolds to boutique labels.
• Clare Valley – A scenic drive north through the Riesling Trail and historic mining towns.
• Fleurieu Peninsula – South of Adelaide, with surf beaches at Victor Harbor and the whale-watching centre of Encounter Bay.
• Kangaroo Island – A ferry hop from Cape Jervis; wildlife, wilderness, and gourmet produce in spades.
• Adelaide City – The vibrant capital's Central Market, cultural boulevard, and laneway bars are all within easy reach.

Please check official sources for current details.