A trip to Adelaide Hills is akin to a summer romance (at any time of the year). From bathing in its perfectly temperate sunshine in the warmer months, to nestling in a cosy nook of a hearty village pub in the cooler months, this enchanting region to the south-east of Adelaide is renowned for its colourful countryside, charming villages and artisanal opulence. There are a number of routes you can take on your tour around the Adelaide Hills, and the towns within the area are only a few minutes’ drive from each other. For first time visitors to the region looking for a short getaway, we recommend the round-trip drive from Adelaide to Mount Barker.
With the Adelaide Hills being only minutes from the city, you can explore the region in as little as a day. To explore the abundance of conservation parks, towns and wineries within the area, a hire car can go a long way. With a number of Hertz depots at the airport and in the city, we can get you on the road in a matter of minutes.
Adelaide – Stirling – Hahndorf – Mount Baker
As you exit the city and enter the Adelaide Hills, you’re immediately greeted by the cool microclimate that makes Adelaide Hills a wine grower’s nirvana.
The flora in the Adelaide Hills is an evolving canvas of vibrant green, gold and red hues throughout the year. As one of Australia’s most revered natural botanical beauties, the Adelaide Hills is awash with winter-gold wattles, ferns, lilies, daisies and rushes. In the winter months, you’ll often see the morning mist dance playfully along its luscious rolling hills.
Stirling
Your first stop along the trip to Mount Barker is the spirited village of Stirling, a passionate community that enthusiastically celebrates its culture and lifestyle. The friendly township is home to one of South Australia’s most popular street markets held on the fourth Sunday of every month, featuring over 80 stalls of local produce and other goods. If you happen to be in town for the markets between September and April, you’ll also witness the colourful award-winning Stirling Laneways, a vibrant spectacle of local entertainment and performance art that accompanies the monthly market. Keep an eye out for the rainbow bunting that lines the pedestrian walkways throughout this time and treat yourself to local artisanal products and eclectic street performances.
Hahndorf
Take a step back in time as you traverse the antiquated streets of Hahndorf – Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. With German architecture and deciduous elm and chestnut trees lining its main street, you’ll feel as though you’ve just stepped into an old Germanic fairy tale book as you stroll past its bakeries, pubs, and antique shops. For more colonial charm, visit Beerenberg Farm, a famous Australian producer of jams and condiments just outside of town.
Mt Barker
Deep within the Adelaide Hills at the footstep of the Mount Lofty Ranges is the burgeoning township of Mount Barker. Home to over 35,000 residents, the area was once a large farming hub, and has transformed into the largest town in the Adelaide Hills region. Within the city centre you’ll find an array of award-winning wineries, breweries and restaurants. Enjoy a tipple at the award-winning Prancing Pony Brewery or enjoy a tasting of biodynamic wines at the Ngeringa vineyard.
#holidayherethisyear
The Adelaide Hills is one of a growing number of regions across Australia that has been severely affected by the recent devastating bushfires. With over 25,000 hectares in the north of the region affected, and a third of the region’s vineyard production wiped out by fires, it will take years for this beautiful corner of South Australia to recover. You can help the community of Adelaide Hills and people directly impacted by the fires by donating to the State Emergency Relief Fund or St Vincent de Paul’s SA Bushfire Appeal. The local government has also noted that other great ways to help the community include visiting the region or purchasing produce including wine from many of the impacted growers and producers.
