How to Explore the Adelaide Hills – Know Before You Explore

Often regarded as one of Australia's most breathtaking wine countries, Adelaide Hill offers visitors a welcome respite from cosmopolitan Australia. Lined with vineyards and cellar doors, the Adelaide Hills occupy pride of place on the southern shores of the iconic Mount Lofty Ranges. Made up of a number of towns including Hahndorf, Aldgate, Mount Barker, Stirling, Birdwood, and Oakbank and Crafers, here are some tips on how to discover the best of this wine-producing region.

Yeti Hunter, AdelaideHillsForestRange, CC BY-SA 3.0 

Time the Visit

Unlike Adelaide's city precincts, those who are planning to holiday in the Adelaide Hills should time their visit to coincide with the best weather conditions. This is due to the fact that most of the attractions and activity bases in the area involve outdoor excursions and require clear weather to enjoy, unlike a city escape where one can spend time in shopping hubs and indoor recreational facilities. The best time to visit the Adelaide Hills falls between the months from May to September. The chance of rainfall is low during this period as the spring and autumn seasons are known for their dry conditions.

Read Up

Doing your homework is necessary for anyone who is heading to the Adelaide Hills as it is a landscape that is not as well known as some of Australia's most popular tourist Meccas.  This is especially true for those who are planning to spend only a weekend or a day in the area as making most of one's time in a region that encompasses several charming towns can be daunting if one has no clue what's available. Travelogues, blogs, and other online and offline resources can be invaluable in this regard. Located less than half an hour's drive away from the city centre of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills encompass a wide variety of experiences for travellers of all ages.

Start with Bird in Hand Winery

Often compared to Tuscany due to its European inspired architecture, a stop at the Bird in Hand winery is the perfect way to kick start your holiday in the hills. Having once served as a daily farm, this stunning winery, with its own vineyard, offers visitors an irresistible wine tasting session of its famous Sauvignon Blancs that are perfect for a summer day. Served with fresh bread and olives, the tropical tasting wines set the ideal tone for your getaway in the Adelaide Hills.

Next Up Nepenthe

As one of the earliest wineries to have been established in the area, Nepenthe is spread out over an area of 24 hectares. With Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs, and exquisite Chardonnays among its bestsellers, the venue provides those who are based at iStay Precinct Adelaide or other similar Adelaide hotels in the area with the perfect venue to spend an afternoon.

Head to Shaw + Smith

A big hit with seasoned visitors, no trip to the Adelaide Hills would be complete without a tour of Shaw + Smith, the second most popular winery in the area. The award-winning winery and vineyard is divided into two sections named Lenswood and Balhannah. Occupying a vast area of 55 hectares, this is undoubtedly the best place to sample Shiraz. Established in the late 80s, the winery also offers an exciting tour option that includes not only a sampling of its best vintages but also cheeses that pair perfectly with the wines.

Stop by Hahndorf

Those who are in search of a small town in the Adelaide Hills where they can shop and enjoy the tranquillity of country life should look no further than Hahndorf. With countless studios, art galleries, and artisanal stores lining its streets, visitors can spend time exploring the town's very own fudge shop where forty mind-blowing flavours are served daily.