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Best Things to Do in the Adelaide Hills
A mere 20 minutes from the CBD, yet the Adelaide Hills feel like an entirely different pace of life.
The Adelaide Hills sit just 20 minutes from the CBD, yet feel like an entirely different pace of life. Wander the German-heritage streets of Hahndorf, sip cool-climate wine at Bird in Hand in Woodside, or catch sweeping views from Mount Lofty. Add garden villages like Stirling and Lobethal to the mix, and you’ve got a full day (or weekend) of eating, drinking and exploring, without leaving South Australia.
In This Guide
- What to Know Before You Go
- Editor’s Pick
- Best Towns to Visit in the Adelaide Hills
- Best Things to See and Do in the Adelaide Hills
- Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Adelaide Hills
- Best Wineries in the Adelaide Hills
- Best Places to Stay in the Adelaide Hills
- Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Adelaide Hills
What to Know Before You Go
The Adelaide Hills start climbing almost as soon as you leave the city, with most of the main towns sitting 20 to 40 minutes from the CBD along the freeway or the old Mount Barker Road. Think of the region in clusters rather than one single destination: Hahndorf and the wine district to the south, Stirling and Aldgate through the leafy centre, Lobethal and Woodside to the east, and Crafers and Mount Lofty right at the gateway. Autumn brings the famous deciduous colour through Stirling’s main street, while summer is peak season for cellar doors, long lunches and produce stalls. Whatever the season, a car is essential. Public transport through the Hills is limited, and half the fun is the drive itself
Editor’s Pick
Adelaide Hills Harvest & Bloom Trail
New for 2026, this self-drive trail strings together 18 farms, orchards and flower fields across the region for a day (or weekend) of pick-your-own baskets, farmgate stalls and produce still warm from the paddock. Think fields of dahlias ready for cutting, working orchards heavy with fruit, and small-batch producers tucked down country lanes you’d otherwise drive straight past. The trail is guided by an illustrated map from local artist Chris Edser, who grew up in the Hills and previously charted the beloved Adelaide Hills Roadside Stalls map. Rather than sitting in one town, it winds through Hahndorf, Stirling, Lobethal and beyond, so it’s worth setting aside a full day to do it justice.
Location: Across the Adelaide Hills
Price Range: Free to follow, prices vary by farm
Best For: Family Day Trip, Self-Drive Day Trip, Something Different
Bookings: Not required
Sitchu Tip: Double check the best time to visit each farm, as pick-your-own seasons and opening days vary across the trail.
Best Towns to Visit in the Adelaide Hills
Hahndorf
Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf is the Adelaide Hills at its most postcard-ready. Its main street is lined with sandstone buildings, Bavarian pubs and cellar doors, all shaded by an avenue of elms first planted in the 1800s. Spend an afternoon working through the Hahndorf Inn’s platters, browsing the boutiques, or tasting your way along the wine and gin trail that’s grown up around the town in recent years.
Stirling
If Hahndorf is about heritage, Stirling is about atmosphere. This garden village turns gold and crimson every autumn as its European trees change colour, drawing crowds to its cafes, boutiques and the much-loved Matilda Bookshop. It’s a slower kind of visit: park the car, walk the main street, and stop wherever looks good.
Lobethal
Lobethal shares Hahndorf’s German roots but wears them more quietly, known locally for its Christmas light displays and a growing cluster of small producers. It’s home to some of the Hills’ best cellar doors and a proper coffee roaster, making it a smart stop for anyone building a full day around food and wine rather than sightseeing.
Crafers and Mount Lofty
Crafers sits right at the top of the range, the last town before the Hills open out properly, and it’s the gateway to some of the region’s best views. Mount Lofty Summit looks back over the whole city, Cleland Wildlife Park and the Botanic Garden are minutes away, and the grand old Mount Lofty House anchors the area with some of Adelaide’s most celebrated fine dining.
Best Things to See and Do in the Adelaide Hills
Charleston Farm
A working flower field in Lenswood, Charleston Farm opens its rows for pick-your-own blooms through the warmer months, closing over winter as the fields rest. It’s a favourite for anyone chasing the perfect bunch of dahlias or just a proper wander through open paddocks.
Location: Lenswood
Price Range: $
Hours: Seasonal, closed over winter
Best For: Family Day Trip, Self-Drive Day Trip, Something Different
Bookings: Essential
Gorge Wildlife Park
Family-owned and operated since 1965, Gorge Wildlife Park in Cudlee Creek is home to one of the largest privately held collections of Australian animals in the state, from kangaroos and wombats to a proper koala-holding experience. It’s smaller and more personal than the city zoo, which is exactly the appeal.
Location: Cudlee Creek
Price Range: $$
Hours: Open daily
Best For: Family Day Trip, Wildlife Encounters, Something Different
Bookings: Not required, recommended during busy periods
Cleland Wildlife Park
Set within Cleland Conservation Park just below Mount Lofty Summit, this is the spot to hand-feed kangaroos, spot koalas, dingoes and Tasmanian devils, and get properly among native bushland without leaving the road system. Pair it with the summit lookout or Waterfall Gully for a full morning out.
Location: Crafers
Price Range: $$
Hours: Open daily
Best For: Family Day Trip, Wildlife Encounters, Scenic Views
Bookings: General admission bookings not required, book in advance for wildlife experiences
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
A sprawling collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and a fern-filled gully, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is one of the best-kept spots in the Hills for a slow walk, particularly through autumn when the colour turns the whole garden gold and red.
Location: Crafers
Price Range: Free
Hours: Open daily
Best For: Scenic Views, Solo Travel, Family Day Trip
Bookings: Not required
National Motor Museum
Home to one of the country’s most significant vehicle collections, the National Motor Museum in Birdwood holds more than 300 cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles spanning over a century of Australian motoring history. Even non car people tend to get swept up in it.
Location: Birdwood
Price Range: $$
Hours: Open daily
Best For: Family Day Trip, Something Different, Rainy Day
Bookings: Not required, preferred
Matilda Bookshop
An Adelaide Hills institution since 1982, Matilda Bookshop on Stirling’s main street is the kind of independent bookshop worth building a stop around, with a strong fiction and non-fiction range, a dedicated kids’ room, and a calendar of book clubs and author events running through the year.
Location: Stirling
Price Range: Varied
Hours: Open daily
Best For: Solo Travel, Something Different, Rainy Day
Bookings: Not required
Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Adelaide Hills
LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand
The reimagined dining room at Bird in Hand’s Woodside estate, LVN is led by Executive Chef Jacob Davey and built around produce pulled from the property’s own kitchen garden, the Finniss River and Tasmania. The tasting menu changes with the seasons, but the sense of place never does.
Location: Woodside
Price Range: $$$
Cuisine: Modern Australian tasting menu
Best For: Fine Dining, Date Night, Special Occasion
Bookings: Essential
Comida
A Spanish-inspired restaurant and bar set on an expansive block in Hahndorf, Comida grows much of its own produce in the garden out back and puts it straight onto the menu, from paella and tapas to Spanish-style breakfast plates. The garden deck, complete with pizza oven and outdoor bar, makes it an easy stop from morning through to dinner.
Location: Hahndorf
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Spanish tapas and paella
Best For: Groups, Long Lunch, Casual Dining
Bookings: Recommended
Adelaide Hills Wine Bar
Set inside Hahndorf’s historic 1912 State Bank building, the Adelaide Hills Wine Bar pairs an easygoing tapas and pizza menu with a serious list of South Australian wine, all under the same roof as the Wolf Blass Gallery and Museum. The wine garden out back, right on Hahndorf Creek, is the spot to hold onto on a warm afternoon.
Location: Hahndorf
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Tapas, platters and wood-fired pizza
Best For: Groups, Casual Dining, Wine Lovers
Bookings: Recommended
The Crafers Hotel
One of Adelaide’s oldest pubs, The Crafers Hotel has been reimagined with an award-winning wine list and a seasonal, produce-led menu. Open fires and leafy outdoor seating make it a year-round favourite, whether you’re stopping for a long lunch or settling in for the evening.
Location: Crafers
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Modern pub dining
Best For: Long Lunch, Groups, Wine Lovers
Bookings: Recommended
FRED Eatery
A local institution in Aldgate Village, FRED has been serving all-day breakfasts, casual lunches and its own house-blend coffee since 2015. Pull up a seat in the courtyard, the mezzanine or the library nook, then wander next door to FRED Living for homewares before you leave.
Location: Aldgate
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: All-day breakfast and casual dining
Best For: Brunch, Casual Dining, Coffee Lovers
Bookings: Recommended for groups
Hardy’s Verandah
Adelaide’s most celebrated fine-dining address outside the city, Hardy’s Verandah at Mount Lofty House holds three chef hats and looks straight over the Piccadilly Valley. Between the degustation dinners, the extensive wine cellar and the High Tea service, it’s built for an occasion.
Location: Crafers
Price Range: $$$$
Cuisine: Fine dining degustation
Best For: Special Occasion, Fine Dining, Date Night
Bookings: Essential
Mighty Mighty Coffee Roasters
A specialty coffee roaster and bar based in Lobethal, Mighty Mighty is the kind of stop that turns a passing coffee run into a proper break. Expect espresso, batch brew and pour-over from beans roasted on site, plus smoothies and pastries to go with it.
Location: Lobethal
Price Range: $
Cuisine: Specialty coffee and light bites
Best For: Coffee Lovers, Solo Travel, Quick Stop
Bookings: Not required
Verte Kitchen
Verte Kitchen is a relaxed cafe in Mylor known for its gluten-free and vegan-friendly menu without ever feeling like a compromise. The sourdough and halloumi corn fritters are the standing order, with matcha lattes and raw treats rounding things out for a slower morning.
Location: Mylor
Price Range: $$
Cuisine: Cafe, all-day breakfast and brunch
Best For: Brunch, Coffee Lovers, Casual Dining
Bookings: Recommended on weekends
Best Wineries in the Adelaide Hills
Sidewood Estate
Since opening its Hahndorf cellar door and restaurant in 2020, Sidewood has become one of the Hills’ most-visited wine destinations. The seasonal à la carte menu runs alongside the more casual Apple Shed Bar and Garden Bar, so there’s a way to visit whatever the occasion.
Location: Hahndorf
Cellar Door Hours: Open daily
Dining: Restaurant, Apple Shed Bar and Garden Bar
Best For: Wine Lovers, Long Lunch, Groups
Bookings: Recommended for dining
Nepenthe Cellar Door
Nepenthe’s cellar door in Balhannah pairs floor-to-ceiling glass with an expansive deck and a Barrel Room that opens straight onto the lawn, making it one of the more architecturally striking stops on the wine trail.
Location: Balhannah
Cellar Door Hours: Open daily
Dining: Cheese and produce pairings
Best For: Wine Lovers, Scenic Views, Self-Drive Day Trip
Bookings: Not required for tastings
Pike & Joyce Wines
Perched over the Lenswood sub-region with 180-degree views, Pike & Joyce pairs single-estate cool-climate wine with a restaurant menu built for lingering. It’s a genuine destination rather than a quick tasting stop.
Location: Lenswood
Cellar Door Hours: Open daily
Dining: Restaurant
Best For: Scenic Views, Long Lunch, Date Night
Bookings: Recommended for the restaurant
Ambleside Distillers
Just outside Hahndorf, Ambleside distils its own gin from botanicals grown in the on-site Distillery Garden. A gin tasting flight, a G&T on the lawn, or a full share-plate lunch are all on the table, with the copper still on display for anyone curious about the process.
Location: Hahndorf
Cellar Door Hours: Open daily
Dining: Share plates and long lunch menu
Best For: Groups, Wine Lovers, Long Lunch
Bookings: Essential for groups and masterclasses
Best Places to Stay in the Adelaide Hills
Espira
Perched atop Ashton’s “Dream Hill” within the Casa Freschi vineyard, Espira is a glass-walled eco-retreat built for slowing down. Expect an indoor fireplace, an outdoor bath, and views over vineyards and the Piccadilly Valley that are just as good after dark as they are at sunset.
Location: Ashton
Room Type: Private eco-retreat pod
Nightly Rate: $$$
Best For: Romantic Escape, Special Occasion, Wine Lovers
Cladich Pavilions
Three contemporary pavilions set among towering gums and native bushland, Cladich offers self-contained bed and breakfast accommodation just 25 minutes from the city. It’s private, quiet, and built for a proper reset.
Location: Aldgate
Room Type: Self-contained pavilions
Nightly Rate: $$
Best For: Romantic Escape, Weekend Getaway, Solo Travel
Book your stay with Cladich Pavilions
Book your stay with Booking.com
CABN
Proof that off-grid doesn’t have to mean roughing it, CABN’s tiny cabins sit tucked among Hahndorf’s forest and vineyard surrounds, each one no bigger than a shipping container but built with everything you actually need. Think plush bedding, a coffee machine, an in-cabin sauna, a wood fireplace and a fire pit out under the stars. It’s less a holiday than a proper reset, a chance to put the phone down, slow right down, and let the Hills do the rest.
Location: Hahndorf
Room Type: Off-grid tiny cabin
Best For: Romantic Escape, Solo Travel, Something Different
Nightly Rate: $$$
Book your stay at CABN with Booking.com
1965 Lobethal
A mid-century time capsule on Lobethal’s main street, 1965 comes fully styled in period furniture, a working record player and a genuine vinyl collection. It sleeps up to four guests across two bedrooms, with a two-night minimum stay.
Location: Lobethal
Room Type: Whole-house rental
Nightly Rate: $$
Best For: Weekend Getaway, Groups, Something Different
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Adelaide Hills
Accommodation options range from romantic to family-friendly. Espira in Ashton is a glass-walled eco-retreat built for couples, while Cladich Pavilions in Aldgate offers private, self-contained bed and breakfast stays. Carriage House 1884 near Mount Lofty Summit suits groups with its two-bedroom self-contained villa, and 1965 Lobethal offers a mid-century styled whole-house rental for up to four guests. For something more off-grid, CABN’s tiny cabins in Hahndorf come with an in-cabin sauna, wood fireplace and fire pit for a proper digital detox.
Bookings vary by venue. Fine dining spots such as Hardy’s Verandah at Mount Lofty House and LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand require essential bookings, as does Ambleside Distillers for groups and masterclasses. Casual cafes and pubs like FRED Eatery and the Crafers Hotel recommend bookings, particularly for groups or weekends, while attractions such as Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and the National Motor Museum don’t require advance booking at all.
The Adelaide Hills wine district runs through towns including Hahndorf, Woodside, Balhannah and Lenswood. Sidewood Estate in Hahndorf pairs a seasonal restaurant with more casual bar options, Nepenthe Cellar Door in Balhannah is known for its striking architecture, and Pike & Joyce in Lenswood offers cool-climate wine with sweeping 180-degree views. For something beyond wine, Ambleside Distillers near Hahndorf distils its own gin from botanicals grown on site.
Autumn is the standout season, when Stirling’s European trees turn gold and crimson through the main street and Mount Lofty Botanic Garden follows suit. Summer is peak season for cellar doors, long lunches and produce stalls across the wine district. Attractions like Charleston Farm’s pick-your-own flower fields run through the warmer months and close over winter, so it’s worth checking seasonal opening times for specific farms and gardens before planning a visit.
It depends on what you’re after. Hahndorf offers heritage charm with sandstone buildings, Bavarian pubs and a growing wine and gin trail. Stirling is better suited to a slower visit, known for its autumn colour, cafes and the Matilda Bookshop. Lobethal suits food and wine focused days with strong cellar doors and a specialty coffee roaster, while Crafers and Mount Lofty deliver the region’s best views alongside wildlife parks and fine dining at Mount Lofty House.
The Adelaide Hills start climbing almost as soon as you leave the CBD, with most main towns sitting 20 to 40 minutes away along the freeway or the old Mount Barker Road. Crafers marks the gateway to the region, while towns like Hahndorf, Stirling and Lobethal sit slightly further afield in their own clusters. It’s an easy day trip from the city, though a car is essential, as public transport through the Hills is limited and much of the appeal comes from driving between towns rather than sticking to one destination.
Have you ticked off the best things to do in the Adelaide Hills and are ready for another adventure? Check out this iconic Adelaide road trip for a getaway from South Australia to Victoria, or visit McLaren Vale for a premium wine experience.
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