Best Things to Do in the Adelaide Hills
From the summit of Mount Lofty to cool-climate cellar doors and a German village high street - the Hills at their best.
Just a short drive from the city, the Adelaide Hills pack natural icons, cool-climate wine and old-world villages into one leafy, walkable region. You can climb to a panoramic summit in the morning, picnic among free-roaming kangaroos by lunch, and finish with a glass of chardonnay as the valley turns gold.
What makes the Hills special
This is one of Australia's most respected cool-climate wine regions, but it is so much more than cellar doors. Steep gorge walks, heritage main streets, pick-your-own farms and family-friendly wildlife parks all sit within easy reach of each other, which makes it easy to string together a full day - or a long weekend - without much driving.
How to use this list
We have led with the genuine icons, then mixed in wineries, walks, coast-and-country produce and family outings so there is something for every kind of visitor. Pick a couple of standouts, add a village stroll or a long lunch, and let the seasons - cherries in summer, autumn colour in Stirling - shape the rest.
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1
Stirling
Mount Lofty Summit
The highest point of the Mount Lofty Ranges, with a panoramic lookout sweeping over the Adelaide plains to the sea. It is the region's signature view and an easy stop by car, or the rewarding finish to a climb from below.
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2
CrafersCleland National Park - Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty
The Hills' most famous walk: a steep, waterfall-flanked climb from Waterfall Gully up to the Mount Lofty Summit. It is a proper workout with a big payoff, and one of Adelaide's most-loved day hikes.
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3
CrafersMorialta Conservation Park
A dramatic gorge park on the western edge of the Hills, famous for its three waterfalls, ferny trails and big climbing crags. The first falls is an easy family stroll, with longer loops for those wanting more.
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4
StirlingCleland Wildlife Park
An open-range wildlife park on the slopes of Mount Lofty where you can walk among free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies. It is one of the best places in the state to get close to native animals and meet a koala.
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5
HahndorfHahndorf Main Street
A plane-tree-lined main street of Fachwerk buildings, German bakeries, beer halls and galleries in Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. Hahndorf is the Hills' most popular village and an essential half-day wander.
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6
OakbankShaw + Smith
One of Australia's most respected cool-climate producers, with a sleek tasting room set among the vines near Balhannah. Its sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and shiraz are benchmarks for the region.
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7
WoodsideBird in Hand
A glamorous, family-owned winery near Woodside celebrated for its sparkling and pinot noir. The setting and the polished cellar door make it a standout stop for a long lunch or a leisurely tasting.
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8
LobethalPike & Joyce
A striking glass-walled cellar door perched above the Lenswood orchards, with elevated dining and valley views. The architecture alone is worth the drive, and the estate wines reward the trip.
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9
Mount BarkerThe Hills Cider Company
A Hills cidery at the LOT.100 producer hub in Hay Valley, near Nairne, pouring apple and pear ciders. Lawns and a restaurant on site make it an easy, family-friendly alternative to a wine tasting.
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10
HahndorfBeerenberg Farm
A famous family farm shop near Hahndorf selling jams, sauces and relishes, with seasonal pick-your-own. It is a tasty, kid-friendly stop and a Hills institution stocked in pantries around the world.
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11
BirdwoodNational Motor Museum
A sprawling museum partly housed in an 1852 flour mill at Birdwood, displaying hundreds of historic cars, motorcycles and machines. It is Australia's largest motoring collection and a great rainy-day or family outing.
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12
GumerachaThe Big Rocking Horse
A towering 18-metre rocking horse you can climb, beside a toy factory and a free-roaming wildlife park at Gumeracha. It is a quirky, only-in-the-Hills landmark that kids love.
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13
OakbankAmy Gillett Bikeway
A gentle 22km sealed rail trail from Oakbank to Birdwood through Woodside and Charleston. Flat, scenic and family-friendly, it is one of the best easy cycles or walks in the region.
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14
CrafersBelair National Park
South Australia's first national park, with lakes, lawns, heritage buildings and bush trails close to the city. There is room to picnic, walk, ride and spot wildlife all in one place.
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Hahndorf's pioneer women walked 35 kilometres overnight to the Adelaide markets, baskets on their backs. Walking their trail today is the Hills' most moving history lesson.
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A Hahndorf food and drink day
Bratwurst and bakeries, a hilltop winery and a riverside cellar door - a deliciously indulgent day along and around Hahndorf Main Street.
The wine and cider loop
Chase the altitude through Balhannah, Woodside and Lenswood - crisp whites, savoury pinot and proper dry cider, with cheese and pizza to keep you upright.
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Family & Wildlife Day
Hand-feed kangaroos, climb a giant rocking horse, meet bilbies at dusk and burn off the rest at a waterfall playground. The Hills is one big natural playground.
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Torrens Valley Heritage Drive
Trace the Torrens River through the quietest, prettiest corner of the Hills - old stone main streets, vintage cars, a giant rocking horse and chocolate straight from the factory.
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The best things to do in and around Hahndorf
Hahndorf is the most-visited village in the Hills for good reason. From beer halls and bakeries to hilltop wineries and a famous farm shop, here's how to do it well.