Adelaide Hills

Driving from Adelaide city via the Adelaide Hills to the Barossa, along the winding country roads is a picturesque and enjoyable route to follow. Choosing this way to come to the Barossa, will take you longer than driving directly up the Northern Expressway, but you will certainly discover lots of great little spots to stop along the way, which makes for a far more interesting journey! If you do come directly to the Barossa from Adelaide city, the Adelaide Hills region is also an easily accessible day trip option.

The Adelaide Hills links a cluster of European-style towns, home to country pubs, markets, award-winning restaurants and artisan food producers, micro breweries and great cafes. Pretty towns to visit include Stirling, Hahndorf and Lobethal.

Taste award winning locally brewed beers at The Lobethal BierHaus. The micro brewery offers the opportunity to learn about the history and process of traditional brewing, taste their award winning beers, and also houses a restaurant.

The Organic Market and Cafe in Sterling is an all time favourite for those looking for fresh, healthy, down-to-earth goodness.

The village of Hahndorf still maintains it’s strong German settlers influences, and has steadily built on it’s unique ‘food bowl’ heritage, to now offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, restaurants, cafes, bakeries and gourmet stores. Udder Delights Cheese Cellar offers interactive tasting of their wide range of artisan cheeses. The Lane Vineyard, a short drive from the main street in Hahndorf, is an absolute must for lunch. The restaurant has spectacular sweeping views, superb food and service with great wines from their vineyard.

The Adelaide Hills region is one of the world’s finest producers of cool-climate wines, with over 50 cellar doors. Be sure to stop at Shaw+Smith and experience their wine flight with a selection of matched local cheeses. Other great cellar doors are Bird in Hand, Nepenthe and Howard Vineyard. For something different, stop by at Hahndorf Hill Winery and indulge in their decadent ChocoVino, chocolate and wine tasting experience.