The Best Small Town In South Australia For A 3-Day Weekend
South Australia has a rich tapestry of destinations to explore. You can visit first-rate wineries, relax on the beaches at Yorke Peninsula, or bike the Riesling Trail. If you are looking for one of South Australia’s best small towns for a three-day weekend retreat, Hahndorf is a strong choice.
Founded in 1839, Hahndorf is the oldest German settlement in Australia, and this heritage shapes the town’s culinary and artisanal culture. About 2,800 people call Hahndorf home, and it attracts around a million visitors a year.
The Locale
Picture densely forested rolling hills, valleys with row upon row of leafy grape vines, and soft sunlight dappling country roads. Hahndorf rests in the Adelaide Hills. The area is lush because it is a short distance from Gulf St Vincent to the west, with Lake Alexandrina and the Indian Ocean to the south.
You can hike, bike, or drive through this countryside while in Hahndorf. If you are driving in from the larger hub of Adelaide, several natural attractions are worth noting on the way.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is a sprawling herbarium with leisurely trails where you can stretch your legs. The garden is just 16 minutes northwest of Hahndorf. You can take in every shade of green as you view a diverse collection of cool-climate plants. There are 1,500 tree specimens in the garden. You will also see seasonal color in Heritage Rose Garden and in the magnolia, rhododendron, South America, Southeast Asia, and Spring Gully botanical collections.
Mount George Conservation Park
As you continue through the panorama of Adelaide Hills, Mount George Conservation Park is a good place for bushwalking. You may see wildlife such as superb blue wrens, red-browed finches, or the occasional marsupial. The park is a visual highlight with many wild-growing native plants, including orchids.
The Accommodations
There are many places to stay in Hahndorf. Hahndorf House is a bed and breakfast suited to visitors who want wellness-focused amenities and well-kept grounds. Owner Damir Jelic built an arched walkway that spans the gardens surrounding three guest cottages. Guests receive chocolate and champagne on arrival, the breakfasts are gourmet, and Jelic also added a day spa.
Amble at Hahndorf provides an alternative to Hahndorf House. It has earned three awards from hotel reviewers, including Australian Accommodations, Booking.com, and HotelsCombined. It has three suites with private spa baths set in a garden environment.
Families can stay at the family-owned and operated Hahndorf Motel. It is inexpensive, comfortable, clean, and in the middle of town. This puts guests near attractions such as Hahndorf Academy and Beerenberg Farm.
Where To Go
Your itinerary starts with a stop at Hahndorf Academy. An art gallery, museum, and shop, Hahndorf Academy showcases South Australian artists and artisans and focuses on the region’s Indigenous heritage.
As you sample the Bavarian-influenced food in town, it is useful to remember that the Peramangk and Kaurna people lived here first. They called the area Bukatila, meaning “deep pool,” before German settlers named it Hahndorf. Hahndorf Academy presents exhibits, artefacts, and stories through which you can learn about this history. Visitors can also take part in creative workshops and attend artist talks.
Walking Tours
Next, you may take a walkabout with Hahndorf Walking Tours. A variety of tours show Hahndorf’s most prominent sites, such as St Paul’s Lutheran Church, a German Gothic building constructed in 1890.
The popular Hahndorf After Dark Walking Tour begins with a meal at The Haus restaurant, where you can try German-inspired dishes such as bratwurst and chicken schnitzel.
Another option is the Kaffee and Kuchen tour, which starts with coffee and a treat such as a scone or triple-layer mousse cake. After this, you learn about Hahndorf’s folklore and the Pioneer Women’s Walking Trail. Women settlers used this trail to supply the settlement with fresh produce when it was otherwise unavailable.
Restaurants and Wineries
No account of what to do in Hahndorf is complete without mentioning food. Options range from pretzels to pizza. Hahndorf Inn serves German fare and reflects the town’s Bavarian origins. Save room for the Famous Hahndorf Inn Deluxe, a platter that includes pork hock, gravy ribs, two German wursts, chicken schnitzel, and more. One dish can feed a family.
In a town surrounded by vineyards, you may want the vineyard experience as well. The Lane Vineyard is a place for that. You can choose to start in the tasting room or the restaurant. Many people consider the restaurant to be among Hahndorf’s best, and it won the Best Restaurant in a Winery award from the National Restaurant and Catering Awards in 2022.
The menu highlights local farmers, growers, and suppliers. With the Chef’s Table Experience, you receive a seven-course seasonal meal customized to complement the flavor profile of the vineyard’s wines.
Beerenberg Farm
Beerenberg Farm is a good destination to round out your three-day weekend because you can pick your own strawberries in season. Year-round, the farm sells jams, jellies, marmalades, curds, and a range of condiments and sauces. This family-owned business was passed down from Johann George and Anna Rosina Paech, who helped establish Hahndorf in 1839. It is also a successful farm where picking strawberries has become a local tradition.
A Three-Day Weekend in Hahndorf
With proximity to natural areas, including the ocean and the Adelaide Hills, as well as its Bavarian-influenced atmosphere, Hahndorf remains a popular place to visit. If you go in the off-season, when crowds thin, pubs, restaurants, and museums will welcome you with their warmth. At any time of year, you will find good food, wine, and cultural appeal. A three-day weekend here gives you time to experience the hospitality of a small Germanic village.
