There’s romance in the air in the Adelaide Hills.
The winding road beckons you, each corner revealing a new delight and a promise of more to come. In a matter of minutes the pace and noise of the city are forgotten, swept aside by the many charms of the Adelaide Hills.
You have entered a place where the air is sweeter and the lunches last all afternoon. Each distinct season provides another reason to visit – from the romantic morning mists and cosy fires of winter, profusion of garden colour in spring, cool shady beer gardens and fruit picking in summer, to the glorious leaves of autumn.
Corduroy vineyards intersect with rambling forest, steep ridges yield to rolling hills and orchards. You can lose yourself in a secluded spot or find yourself in a bustling country market.
Artists and artisans flourish here, as they always have. Fine studios and galleries abound, from the immense cultural legacy of Sir Hans Heysen’s home, ‘The Cedars’, to grassroots community spaces.
Winemakers also take inspiration from the landscape, producing cool climate wines with soul and a sense of place. Some 50 cellar doors are spread across the Hills. From tiny solo acts to slick, contemporary venues, they can be found on windswept ridges, in hidden valleys and on charming main streets.
Cheese and chocolate, craft beer and cider, and even bread and jam are made the old-fashioned way – with hands and heart. You can satisfy your appetite in a country pub or bakery, take a gourmet approach in a sophisticated restaurant, or picnic with local produce fresh from the farm gate or roadside stall. Fresh seasonal, local produce is the cornerstone of menus across the region.
There are so many ways to discover the Hills while you reconnect with family and friends. Take the plunge on a precipitous mountain bike track, cuddle a koala or indulge in some retail therapy. Play a round of golf on a picturesque course, abseil down a rocky escarpment or learn new skills at a cooking school or art class. Relive the pleasure of listening to birdsong, fossick in an antique shop or pick your own fruit just bursting with flavour. Enjoy a taste of farm life, get up close to wildlife, explore museums or just put your feet up and simply enjoy the views or a little pampering.
Explore on two wheels or four, rattle along in a steam train or even on horseback. Stroll hand-inhand along streets lined with historic buildings, hike single-file through rugged bushland or wander through one of the Adelaide Hills’ renowned gardens.
Time your visit right and you could enjoy a country show, a farmers market, an art exhibition or a celebration of the region’s food and wine. Major events to get your pulse racing include the Santos Tour Down Under and one of the world’s great picnic horse race meetings, the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival.
It’s all so close to Adelaide that you can visit for a day or stay a while, waking up in a cosy cottage, ultra-modern villa or boutique hotel.
So let the region work its magic. Be captivated by the seasons and revel in the romance of an Adelaide Hills affair. You’ll fall in love all over again.
