The timeless town of Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, complete with traditional German pubs, Fachwerk architecture and artisan delicatessens. Heritage shops sell local artwork and unique souvenirs, while museums reveal centuries-old Indigenous and German history, cellar doors provide delicious wine and local wildlife populates lush greenery throughout the town.
Things to do in Hahndorf
Indulge in Bavarian culture during your Hahndorf holiday by visiting the numerous pubs, cheese shops, boutiques and museums along Mount Barker Road. Step into Udder Delights Cheese Cellar for delicious cheese-inspired treats, before heading to the German Arms Hotel for hearty German cuisine and beer in a circa-1839 colonial building.
Got time for a bit of shopping? Storison, Silk Linen and Hahndorf Candlemaker all sell one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures. However, for that truly German atmosphere, browse the cuckoo clocks, music boxes, Glockenspiels, spinning tops and other German items in the quaint German Village Shop.
Discover in-depth history on the town at Hahndorf Academy Regional Arts & Heritage, which houses contemporary art, historic drawings, stories from the town’s first German migrants and artefacts in a 19th-century former maternity hospital. The nearby Aboriginal Art House is the best place to experience contemporary Indigenous art, as it features hundreds of paintings in four showrooms.
If wine is on your menu, head to the boutique Hahndorf Hill Winery to taste locally-made European wines, such as Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner and Zweigelt. The Lane Vineyard is a short drive away and offers uninterrupted countryside vistas, along with an award-winning cellar door for tastings. Immerse yourself in nature at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, about 20 minutes’ drive away, where you’ll find a tranquil lake and the lush Fern Gully.
Getting around Hahndorf
Hahndorf is an easy 30-minute drive from Adelaide, which is accessible from most Australian cities, thanks to Adelaide Airport. You can see almost all of Hahndorf’s sights by walking down the main street, but you’ll need a car to venture further afield.