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Adelaide Hills

When the Adelaide plains are desert-hot in the summer months, the Adelaide Hills (technically the Mt Lofty Ranges – the traditional lands of the Peramangk people) are always a few degrees cooler, with crisp air, woodland shade and labyrinthine valleys. Early colonists built stately summer houses around Stirling and Aldgate, and German settlers escaping religious persecution also arrived, infusing towns like Hahndorf and Lobethal with European values and architecture.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

The Lane
Adelaide Hills
Wow! What a cool building, and what a fabulous setting. Camera-conducive views and contemporary varietals (viognier, pinot grigio, pinot gris), plus an…
Mt Lofty Summit
Adelaide Hills
From Cleland Wildlife Park you can bushwalk (2km) or drive up to Mt Lofty Summit (a surprising 727m), which has show-stopping views across the Adelaide…
Belair National Park
Adelaide Hills
From Crafers, follow Upper Sturt Rd 10km west and you'll come to South Australia's oldest national park, established in 1891 (…also making it just the…
Cleland Wildlife Park
Adelaide Hills
Within the steep Cleland Conservation Park, this place lets you interact with all kinds of Australian beasts. There are keeper talks and feeding sessions…
Pike & Joyce
Adelaide Hills
High on a hill behind Lenswood (itself behind Lobethal), Pike & Joyce is an architectural doozy, with rammed-earth walls, jaunty corrugated-iron roof…
Big Rocking Horse
Adelaide Hills
Gumeracha's main attraction is climbing the 18.3m-high Big Rocking Horse, which doesn't actually rock, but is unusually tasteful as far as Australia's …
National Motor Museum
Adelaide Hills
Behind an impressive 1852 stone flour mill in Birdwood, the National Motor Museum has a collection of 300-plus immaculate vintage, modern and classic cars…
Mt Lofty Botanic Garden
Adelaide Hills
From Mt Lofty, truck south 1.5km to the cool-climate slopes of this botanic garden. Nature trails wind past a lovely looking lake, exotic temperate plants…