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Top 10 Things to Do in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia
- May 30, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 30
Top 10 Things to Do in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Just east of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills rise gently into the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, offering cool-climate scenery, winding country roads, historic villages, and some of South Australia’s best food and wine. Being so close to the city, the Adelaide Hills is perfect for a day trip, but it’s also a destination that rewards lingering a little longer.
From leafy walks and panoramic lookouts to wildlife encounters, cellar doors, and charming towns steeped in history, the Adelaide Hills delivers a relaxed escape where nature, culture, and great produce come together.
Explore Historic Hahndorf
No visit to the Adelaide Hills is complete without spending time in Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Established in 1839, this picturesque village is full of character, with its tree-lined main street, heritage buildings, and distinctly European feel.
Wander past traditional German hotels, cafés, art galleries, and boutiques, or follow the heritage trail to learn about Hahndorf’s early settlers. Stop for a classic German meal, enjoy a hot dog from Wunderbar Dog Haus, or settle in for lunch at the German Arms — it’s the perfect place to slow down and soak up the atmosphere.
Get Up Close to Native Wildlife
The Adelaide Hills is one of the best places near Adelaide to see Australian wildlife in natural bushland settings. Cleland Wildlife Park, located within Cleland Conservation Park, allows visitors to walk freely among kangaroos, wallabies, and emus, with the chance to hand-feed animals and even hold a koala.
Gorge Wildlife Park offers a larger collection of Australian and exotic animals across 14 acres, while the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha features a smaller wildlife park where you can hand-feed kangaroos, emus, and wallabies — a hit with families.
Taste Fresh Local Produce
The Adelaide Hills is renowned for its fresh produce, and there are plenty of delicious ways to experience it. Beerenberg Farm is a favourite stop, offering breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, along with a huge range of jams, sauces, and condiments in the farm shop. From November to April, you can even pick your own strawberries straight from the patch. For a true local experience, visit the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market in Mount Barker on Saturday mornings, where stallholders showcase seasonal produce, artisan bread, coffee, chocolates, sweets, and locally made goods.
Climb the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha
Standing an impressive 18 metres tall, the Big Rocking Horse at Gumeracha is the largest rocking horse in the world and one of the Adelaide Hills’ most iconic attractions. Visitors can climb inside to several lookout platforms, including one right at the horse’s head. The site also features a toy shop filled with wooden and educational toys, a café, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a small animal park — making it an easy stop for families travelling through the Hills.
Enjoy Amazing Views from the Summits
For breathtaking views, head to Mount Lofty Summit, Adelaide’s highest point at 710 metres above sea level. From the lookout, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views across Adelaide’s skyline and out to the coast. There’s a café, visitor centre, and several walking tracks that branch off from the summit.
Another rewarding viewpoint is Mount Barker Summit, sitting at 517 metres above sea level. A short but steep 250-metre walk from the car park leads to beautiful views over Mount Barker and the surrounding countryside.
Chase Waterfalls at Waterfall Gully
Waterfall Gully, located within Cleland Conservation Park, is one of the Adelaide Hills’ most popular natural attractions. The 1.3-kilometre walk from the car park to the First and Second Falls takes around 30 minutes and follows a well-formed trail through bushland.
The First Fall drops 30 metres into a large pool, while the Second Fall cascades a further 10 metres. Cleland Conservation Park offers an extensive network of walking and cycling trails, showcasing native wildlife, cultural heritage, and stunning views across the Adelaide Hills.
Visit the National Motor Museum
Located in Birdwood, the National Motor Museum is Australia’s largest motor museum, with more than 400 vehicles on display, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, the museum is much more than a collection of vehicles. It tells the story of Australia’s road transport history — how we lived, travelled, and worked — making it fascinating for all ages, not just motoring enthusiasts.
Indulge in Chocolate & Cheese at Woodside
For a sweet and savoury treat, head to Woodside. Melba’s Chocolate Factory is a working confectionery factory producing chocolates and old-fashioned sweets. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, visitors can watch the chocolates being made before browsing the enormous selection.
Next door, Woodside Cheese Wrights offers a cellar door experience showcasing high-quality, award-winning cheeses, along with local produce and gifts. It’s an easy and indulgent stop while exploring the Hills.
Wander Through Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
The Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a spectacular 97-hectare cool-climate garden overlooking the picturesque Piccadilly Valley. Entry is free, and the gardens are open every day of the year. Wander along peaceful walking trails through landscaped gardens and natural bushland, or walk a section of the iconic Heysen Trail, one of its oldest sections passing through the gardens. It’s especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves turn rich shades of red and gold.
Go Wine Tasting in the Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills wine region is one of Australia’s largest and coolest wine regions, with more than 50 cellar doors to visit. The region is particularly renowned for Sauvignon Blanc, exceptional Chardonnay used in premium sparkling wines, and elegant Pinot Noir. Cool-climate Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills is lighter and more refined than its Barossa counterpart, making wine tasting here a relaxed and rewarding experience, often paired with stunning vineyard views.
Why Visit the Adelaide Hills?
With its close proximity to Adelaide, cool-climate scenery, historic villages, wildlife experiences, and outstanding food and wine, the Adelaide Hills is a region that offers incredible variety in a compact area. Whether you’re chasing views, wandering gardens, sipping wine, or exploring charming towns, the Adelaide Hills invites you to slow down and savour every moment. It’s the perfect escape from the city — and one you’ll want to return to again and again.
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