Mount Barker, South Australia - The Heart of the Adelaide Hills

Wander * Explore * Discover
May 27, 2023
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Mount Barker, South Australia - The Heart of the Adelaide Hills

Mount Barker is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills and sits around 34 kilometres south-east of Adelaide. Positioned at the southern end of the hills, it makes an excellent base for exploring the wider region, with easy access to nearby wineries, charming towns, scenic drives and nature experiences.

Surrounded by vineyards and mixed farming land, Mount Barker blends historic character with modern convenience. The town has grown rapidly in recent years, yet it still retains a strong sense of heritage, with beautifully preserved buildings, leafy streets and a welcoming country feel.

Exploring Gawler Street

The heart of Mount Barker is Gawler Street, a leafy and lively main street lined with cafés, restaurants, bakeries, boutiques and specialty stores. It’s an easy place to spend a few hours browsing, enjoying a long lunch or stopping for coffee while soaking up the relaxed Adelaide Hills atmosphere.

At the intersection of Gawler Street and Adelaide Road stands Auchendarroch House, one of Mount Barker’s most striking historic buildings. Built in 1860, it originally operated as the Oakfield Hotel. Today, this grand property has been beautifully restored and is used as a popular wedding venue, restaurant and tavern, making it both a local landmark and a great place to dine.

Halfway along Gawler Street, you’ll also spot Prickly 3, a distinctive sculpture that forms part of the Adelaide Hills Sculpture Trail, adding a creative touch to the streetscape.

Adelaide Hills Farmers Market

A highlight of any visit is the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning. This vibrant market showcases the best of the region’s produce, with stallholders offering fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan foods and locally made products. You’ll also find excellent coffee, handmade chocolates, freshly baked bread and tempting homemade sweets, making it a wonderful place to sample the flavours of the Adelaide Hills and support local growers and makers.

Mount Barker Summit

For panoramic views, head to Mount Barker Summit. From the summit car park, a steep 250-metre walk leads to the top, where you’re rewarded with sweeping views across Mount Barker and the surrounding hills and valleys. At an elevation of 517 metres, the summit offers impressive long-distance views on clear days, with Mount Lofty visible to the north and Lake Alexandrina to the south-east. It’s a short walk with a big payoff, especially around sunrise or sunset.

Laratinga Wetlands

Just outside the town centre, the Laratinga Wetlands provide a peaceful natural escape and an important habitat for resident, migratory and nomadic bird species. The wetlands feature a network of walking trails and boardwalks that wind through the landscape, along with bird hides that make it easy to observe wildlife without disturbance.

Facilities include toilets, picnic areas and barbecues, making Laratinga a lovely spot for a gentle walk, birdwatching or a relaxed break in nature.

Discover Mount Barker’s Heritage

Mount Barker has a rich history, and one of the best ways to explore it is by following the self-guided Heritage Walk. A brochure is available from the Visitor Information Centre, outlining a 3-kilometre circuit that takes around one hour to complete.

The walk leads you past many of the town’s historic buildings and sites, offering insight into Mount Barker’s development from an early settlement to the thriving Hills town it is today.

Why Mount Barker Is Worth Visiting

Mount Barker combines the best of the Adelaide Hills — historic streets, fresh local produce, scenic lookouts and natural wetlands — with the convenience of a larger regional centre. Whether you’re visiting for a day, attending the markets, or using it as a base to explore the hills, Mount Barker offers a relaxed and rewarding experience. It’s a town that balances growth with heritage and nature, making it an essential stop on any Adelaide Hills itinerary.