ADELAIDE HILLS & BAROSSA VALLEY

THE GERMAN VILLAGES

The eastern side of the Adelaide Hills is the more populated and cultivated. The farmlands of Mt Baker are dotted with sheep, cattle, and seasonal wildflowers, and the town is known for fresh produce food, organic and gourmet products and lovely markets. The splendid countryside provides good camping, hiking, and bushwalking.

Lobethal and Hahndorf are both romantic German villages with all one would imagine a small country town of Germany to be; old beer houses and cosy wine gardens, bakeries, art galleries, antiques and handicraft shops, dazzling atmosphere and rustic environment. The German villages are especially charming in summer, during the Lobethal Christmas Lights Festival. 

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES

• Mt Baker –  Mt Baker Summit, Steam Ranger Heritage Railway, Laratinda Wetlands, fresh food markets, wineries
• Hahndorf –  breweries, wineries, sweet shops, art houses, souvenir shops, farms, fresh food market and plentiful tours to choose from, The Cedars, Clock Museum, Old Mill, Model Train Land
• Lobethal –  breweries, wineries, Bushland Park, Fairyland Village, Christmas Light Festival (December)

NATURE RESERVES AND PARKS

Within a short drive from the city, Adelaide Hills is a fantastic destination for nature lovers and bushwalkers. Notably, the western side of the area, that almost entirely comprises of natural reserves and protected parks.

If you are after some peace take a stroll through the Cleland Conservation Park and its walking tracks, meet some wildlife and enjoy the magnificent views.

Morialta Conservation Park provides rugged ridges, gully scenery, and seasonal waterfalls, and it is an excellent location for bushwalking and rock climbing.

Belair National Park is excellent for camping, and the Black Hill Conservation Park offers scenic walks and great views.

Carrick Hill is a historic mansion with lovely gardens good for walking or relaxing. Gorge Wildlife Park is a place to take your kids to learn about the native fauna.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES IN THE ADELAIDE HILLS

• Belair – Old Government House – old Victorian mansion, camping, relaxing, bushwalking, cycling, picnic, playground
• Carrick Hill – a historical estate with gardens for walking and relaxing
• Cleland – stunning views, scenic walks, a wildlife park (koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and potoroos)
• Morialta  – beautiful scenery, waterfalls, creeks, (bushwalking and rock climbing)
• Black Hill – stunning walking and views across valleys
• Mt Lofty Summit – panoramic views, café and restaurant on the top (2-3 hrs return)

BAROSSA VALLEY

Driving through the Adelaide Hills, the road eventually leads the visitors to the Barossa Valley. TheGerman heritage is evident across the entire Adelaide region, and Barossa Valley is no exception.

High profile wineries, set amid picturesque landscapes of rolling hills covered with vineyards offer tours and cellar-door tasting all year round. Mainly all fans of Australian Shiraz can take pleasure in its best samples – it one of the world`s most awarded wines.

Most of the local cellar-doors have cafes and restaurants, breweries, bakeries and shops that offer organic gourmet products like cheese, jams, relishes but also coffee, home-made beers, and ciders.

Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Rowland Flat and Lyndoch are the tons connecting the wineries and their vineyards, including Jacobs Creek, Rockford Wines, Steve Hudson, Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield Winery, Peter Lehmann Wines and others.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCES IN BAROSSA VALLEY

• Tanunda – the centre of Barossa Valley with lovely gift shops and cafes
• Barossa Valley Visitor Centre – useful information, tips, and advice, wine tours
• Barossa Heritage Drive – a 57 km loop around the most significant wineries
• Wine Tour – take a wine tour around Barossa wineries or do it yourself

NOTE

Barossa Valley is regarded as the best of the five premier wine-producing regions in Australia:

• Barossa Valley (South Australia)
• Tamar Valley (Tasmania)
• Margaret River (Western Australia)
• Yarra Valley (Victoria)
• Hunters Valley (New South Wales)

BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN THE ADELAIDE HILLS

The ideal way to explore the region is self-drive. There are several options and routes available to discover the highlights of the region.

1.ADELAIDE HILLS SCENIC DRIVE

The 150 km long circuit takes the motorists through the characteristic landscapes of the Adelaide Hills, starting from Adelaide-Hahndorf-Mt Baker-Lobethal-Birdwood-Chain of Ponds-Castambul-Black Hill-Morialta-Cleland-Adelaide. The trip can be easily completed in a day.

TRAVEL TIP This route is ideal for bushwalkers and travellers who like to take it easy. There are many walking tracks along the way and lovely villages to stop at for a stroll or lunch.

2.BAROSSA HERITAGE DRIVE

The iconic scenic drive is an easy, 57 km loop around the wineries and vineyards of Barossa Valley. It can be done relatively quickly (1hr +), considering that no wine tasting will be done as you drive. However, the tour can take a whole day if stopping by at the cellar-door, so it depends.

TRAVEL TIP All wine lovers and ‘feinschmeckers’ are recommended to take a tour from Tanunda Visitors Centre that will take them to a selection of popular wineries without having to be worried about drinking.

3.GREAT ADELAIDE HILLS & BAROSSA VALLEY TOURIST DRIVE

Alternatively, you can extend the route to the Barossa Valley and drive the Great Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley Tourist Drive (250 km loop), covering the best of the region and amazing views: Adelaide-Belair-Cleland-Morialta-Black Hill-Millbrook-Chain of Ponds-Kersbrook-Williamstown-Lyndoch-Tanunda-Nuriootpa-Angaston-Eden Valley-Springton-Mt Pleasant-Birdwood-Lobethal-Hahndorf-Mt Baker-Adelaide. 

TRAVEL TIP Allow a full day for this trip (from early morning till late evening, or 2 days if you stay overnight in Barossa Valley for the wine tour)

WHEN TO TRAVEL

• Late summer (Feb-Apr) is a great time to enjoy the nice weather, scenic walks, and frequent festivals
• Autumn (May-Jun) is a sensational season for exploring the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley as the vineyards turn into a kaleidoscope of warm colours
• Winter (July-Sep) might get a little less appealing due to frequent rainfall and chilly days
• Spring (Oct-Nov) is a beautiful time for all outdoor activities, green leafy vineyards, and fewer crowds

HOW TO GET THERE

Fly to Adelaide. Hire a car and self-drive or book a wine tour from Adelaide.

For all flights go to www.scycanner.com or www.momondo.com