48 hours in the Adelaide Hills

By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Thursday, February 28, 2019

If you want to take a weekend trip, but don’t want to spend hours driving to your destination, the Adelaide Hills might be just what you’re looking for.

Only an hour from the centre of the city, this leafy region promises to provide you with an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

To help you do that, we’ve come up with 3 must-dos if you’ve only got a weekend to spend in the hills.

Explore the great outdoors

The Adelaide Hills has a seemingly endless number of beautiful national parks, forests and gardens to explore.

Meander along the paths that sprawl through the 97-hectare Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, or put on your hiking boots and tackle one of the countless walking trails that are spread across the region.

Visit the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.

You could hike along parts of the 1200km Heysen Trail which runs through Mylor and Hahndorf, or take on the 22km Pioneer Women’s Trail from Verdun to Beaumont.

If you’re looking for something a bit more action-packed, go mountain biking from the Mount Lofty Summit all the way back down to Adelaide.

Escapegoat Adventures will take you along tracks that pass through stunning native bush – you might even spot koalas or kangaroos in their native habitat.

Go mountain biking in the Adelaide Hills.

Take a history lesson

If you’re a car buff or history enthusiast, then you’ll want to visit Birdwood while you’re in the Adelaide Hills.

The small town, with a population of about 1300, is home to the National Motor Museum, featuring a collection of more than 300 vehicles – that’s less than 5 people per car.

While, it may be closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s well worth keeping on your radar when you’re in the Adelaide Hills.

When it does re-open you’ll be able to once again delve into Australia’s automotive manufacturing journey, see the world’s most expensive and fastest cars, and explore a replica 1920s garage.

You can even discover the history of motoring and video gaming through the Game Engine: Digital Legends exhibition.

The museum also holds events, including car shows, the Rock & Roll Rendezvous and the Bay to Birdwood, so check the calendar before you go.

Visit the National Motor Museum in Birdwood.

Indulge in Adelaide Hills produce

No weekend getaway is complete without food, and the Adelaide Hills has an array of produce that’ll satisfy the fussiest of tastebuds.

Purchase German treats like mettwurst, grab some takeaway and local beer from the Prancing Pony or visit the Beerenberg Farm Shop.

If you’re a fromage fan, you’ll want to visit Hahndorf’s Udder Delights Cheese Cellar, which showcases a range of cheeses.

Pick strawberries at Beerenberg.

Looking for something sweet? There’s a chocolate factory in the hills that even Willy Wonka would be proud of, and it’s only a 10-minute drive from Hahndorf.

At Melba’s Chocolates, you can watch the chocolates being created with windows giving visitors a view of the factory.

Ready for a weekend in the Adelaide Hills?

RAA can help.

Click here