Guide to Adelaide Hills South Australia Australia

As the oldest wine region in South Australia (the first vines were planted in 1839, just three years after settlement) the Adelaide Hills has had time to get things right.

Drive the region’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 10am and 4pm 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 now features convention facilities for 30 people, a family picnic area and the Bilby Cafe, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

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. Cleland Wildlife Park is located at Mount Lofty and the cost for adults is $13.