Beerenberg
There’s something enchanting about the winding roads, the orchards of sun-ripened fruit, the lush paddocks of vineyards. Not to mention the fairytale villages and storybook manors, where you can — quite literally — fall asleep in a turret amongst the treetops. No magic beans needed, the rich soils and cool climate of the Adelaide Hills make it a farm-to-table paradise, where some of the country’s best wine, cheese, fruit and spirits are produced and shared amongst cellar doors, providores and farm gates. Whether it’s that first, crisp glass of sauvignon blanc on a 30-degree day, the gooey centre of a wheel of brie or a pub meal shared around a crackling fire, you’re invited to feast on all that this bountiful place has to offer, with our four-day Adelaide to Adelaide Hills itinerary.
Travel note
Staying in Adelaide? The Adelaide Hills are just 20 minutes from the city, so you can complete any of the below days as individual day trips. Or, base yourself out of Stirling or Hahndorf and follow the itinerary from your Hills’ home base.
15 minutes from Adelaide, Stirling is a foodie’s dream come to life.
Soak in artesian hot pools at adults-only retreat, Sequoia Lodge, or sleep in historic luxury at Mount Lofty House. Drift off in a fairytale setting at Thorngrove Manor House or The Castle Keep B&B, or wake up to the sight of friendly Highland cows at Casa Luna Nature and Wellness Escape.
You don’t need to travel far to find plenty of things to do in the Adelaide Hills. From Stirling, the Piccadilly Valley Trail is right on your doorstep, uniting five of the area’s best boutique wineries. Sip cool-climate varieties at Lofty Valley Estate, Wotton Family Wines, CRFT Wines, Greenhill Wines and Tapanappa Wines, meeting the winemakers and hearing stories straight from the vineyard. Stroll along shady paths at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden and gaze out over the Hills at Mount Lofty Summit.
Writer’s tip: The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens is renowned for its autumnal hues — visit between March and May to see the sprawling gardens painted in shades of russet and gold.
Once you’ve sipped your way through the surrounding cellar doors, take your pick from a long list of delicious lunch and dinner spots. The Stirling Hotel has been around for more than a century, but this celebrated spot is not your average small-town pub — beneath the historic facade, you’ll find an elegant bistro, a separate wood-fired pizza bar, and even a patisserie. Nearby, Patch Kitchen and Garden serves up local, seasonal produce in a light-filled restaurant, and culinary craftsmanship is served up in Ondeen’s heritage homestead.
Today, taste ruby-red strawberries plucked straight from the vine, amble the storied streets of Hahndorf, and pedal between leafy vineyards.
Whether you’re soaking up Hahndorf’s old-school charm with a stay on the main street, or heading off-grid to rest in a tiny home, we won’t blame you for sleeping in just a little longer at these idyllic locations. In the heart of town, Hahndorf Old Mill Hotel combines 130 years of history with the hustle and bustle of modern-day Hahndorf, while CABN offers fully self-contained comfort amongst nature, just minutes from town.
Discover Hahndorf’s rich history on a Hahndorf Walking Tour, or take to the streets for a morning of window-shopping and cafe-hopping. Pay a visit to Beerenberg Farm, and in the summer months, fill your basket with sun-warmed strawberries fresh from the fruit patch. Join Bike About for a guided winery tour on two wheels, complete with tastings at some of the Hills’ best cellar doors.
Finding somewhere to eat and drink is never a problem in the Adelaide Hills — the hard part is choosing between the myriad of dining options available. Dig into hearty, German classics like bratwurst and schnitzel at The Haus Restaurant, or sip your way through a tasting paddle of beer at Grunthal Brew. Discover the sweet, surprising harmony between wine and chocolate at Hahndorf Hill Estate Winery, and settle in with a grazing board or pizza at Sidewood Estate’s garden bar.
Continue your gastronomic journey to Gumeracha, where some of the region’s best produce will be right at your fingertips.
Step back in time with a stay at Randells Mill – a historic flour mill, converted into romantic loft accommodation, complete with a stone courtyard and idyllic gardens. Or, check into Kenton Views Estate – a two-bedroom villa situated amongst a working farm and vineyard.
Every recipe at Woodside Cheese Wrights starts with the most important ingredient: cow, goat or buffalo milk sourced from one of the Adelaide Hills’ own dairies. Visit the cheesery to fill your shopping bag with artisanal chevre, brie or feta, then hit the road to snap a picture at the whimsical Big Rocking Horse. Continue to Golding Wines and embark on a wine safari to see the grape-to-glass process up close, visiting the vineyards and tasting the final product.
Wander the sprawling grounds and gardens of Bird in Hand Winery, then settle in at the cellar door to taste summery rosé or pink-tinged sparkling wine. Continue your sipping itinerary with a visit to Applewood Distillery, where sustainability and native ingredients are the inspiration behind a curated range of locally distilled gins. At Union Bridge Brewery, the past is brought to life through traditional-style stouts and pale ales, as well as a line of alcoholic sodas flavoured after childhood soft drinks, like cherry cola and creaming soda.
See furry koalas up close, cruise along idyllic roads and visit a pear orchard, before returning to Adelaide.
No overnight stay is required on your return trip to Adelaide.
Meander along leafy paths to discover a surprising array of native and exotic animals at Gorge Wildlife Park. Nestled amongst the lush bushland of Cudlee Creek, this wildlife park is home to koalas, wallabies and native birds — as well as meerkats, otters, spider monkeys and even a colony of little penguins. Spend the morning learning about these unique creatures, then hop in the car and cruise down the Torrens Valley Scenic Drive.
Pick your own organic pears at Paracombe Premium Perry, then settle in at the rustic shed door to sample pear cider and the sizzling pizza menu. Forage for figs at Glen Ewin Estate, then stretch out on the lawns with a picnic hamper and bottle of bubbles in hand. In idyllic Tea Tree Gully, take a seat in a 140-year-old homestead and dine on foraged, handmade or homegrown produce at the waste-nothing restaurant, Topiary.
Writer’s tip: For a few days each spring, the pear orchards at Paracombe Premium Perry are awash with white blossoms. This short and sweet period is well worth a visit — keep an eye on their social channels to be kept in the loop.
The Adelaide Hills’ high altitude means that temperatures here are generally a few degrees cooler than in Adelaide. In summer, head to the Hills for cool breezes and wine tasting in the shade; in autumn, see the foliage change colour at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden or Hahndorf’s main street; in winter, curl up around crackling fires and dig into hearty pub meals; and in spring, see the fruit orchards and gardens in full bloom.
The Adelaide Hills is a short, 20-30 minute drive from Adelaide. Most people get around with a self-drive itinerary, but public buses, taxis and rideshare options also operate throughout the region. Join a guided tour or book a winery transfer service with our full list of tours in the Adelaide Hills.
Sign up for our newsletter and get top stories, exclusive offers, events and free travel inspiration straight to your inbox!
Standing on Kaurna Country, the South Australian Tourism Commission recognises the uniquely diverse Aboriginal communities across the state.
We value the knowledge Aboriginal people hold of Country and culture and are committed to growing genuine relationships with Traditional Custodians.
We will continue our journey of reconciliation and support Aboriginal tourism operators and communities to tell their own stories and share their culture with the world.
Kaurna Yartangka yuwanthi, South Australian Tourism Commisionriu tampinthi wiwurra Yaitya Miyurna kuma parnaku Pirkurna Kanthipartu‑arra.
Ngadiu yurikaityanthi, Yaitya Miyurnaku ngutu yartaku kuma Tapa‑Purruna. Ngadlu nilputa tika‑apirringutha Yaitya. Yarta‑Mathanyarna‑ityangka.
Ngadluku tapa nguyanguya murititya ngadlu muinmurningutha. Ngadlu karrpatha Yaitya Miyurna Mikarri‑apipinarna kuma Pirkurna, parnakunta pirrkurna kuma parnaku Tapa‑Purruna yungkurringutha, marngu‑ityangka.
