South Of Adelaide Visitor Information

Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf

(28km south-east of Adelaide)

Trip duration: One day or overnight.

On the road
Along the Adelaide Plain’s eastern and south eastern extremities lie the Adelaide Hills. You have the option of taking the South-Eastern Freeway, or a more leisurely drive through the hills beginning in an easterly or north-easterly direction out of Adelaide.

Must see

Just 20 minutes from the city, drive through tree-covered valleys, steep hills, villages, wildlife sanctuaries, apple and pear orchards and stop for coffee or lunch at one of the many tea houses. Stop at Cleland Wildlife Park, a native wildlife zone in their natural habitat. There are lakes for waterbirds, walk through aviaries and several enclosures for smaller native animals.

A major highlight is Hahndorf, an historic town which retains the atmosphere of its German settlers. Visit the Hahndorf Academy and Art Gallery which has a permanent exhibition of painting by Sir Hans Heysen, who lived in the town for many years and depicted the area’s beauty so well. A German folk-museum is next door and both are open daily.

Beerenberg Strawberry Farm is the internationally acclaimed home of pure fruit jams, pickled onions and sauces, which are available for sale at the farm. Explore the old farmstead and in season (October to May) pick your own strawberries.

At Gumeracha on Torrens Gorge Ring Route climb the biggest rocking horse in the world, equal to six storeys, for spectacular views of the Gumeracha Valley.

The National Motor Museum, at Birdwood, via the North-East Road, is on eight hectares and houses a fine collection of veteran, vintage and classic motor vehicles and motor cycles.

For further information, contact:

Adelaide Hills regional Tourist Information Centre
64 Main Street
HAHNDORF SA 5245
Phone: (08) 388 1185908

Fleurieu Peninsula- Victor Harbor

(135km south of Adelaide)

Trip duration: Minimum of two days.

On the road
Follow the South Road to the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia’s holiday playground.

Must see

Down the length of the west coast there are idyllic sandy beaches, such as Maslin (Australia’s first official nudist beach) , Sellicks and Christies Beach, which run right to the tip of Cape Jervis.

McLaren Vale is a major wine-producing region with dozens of vineyards and restaurants.

Victor Harbor is one of the state’s most popular coastal resort towns and the unofficial capital of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Take the old horse tram to Granite Island with its colony of wallabies and fairy penguins. Meet a cuddly koala and a Tasmanian Devil at Urimbirra Wildlife Park, or speed down the hill at Greenhills Adventure Park on a giant waterslide. Discover the traditions of the river at Signal Point Interpretive Centre, or travel by the Cockle steam train to Victor Harbour and return.

Just over an hour’s drive from Adelaide is the wild but beautiful Cape Jervis on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. This is the departure point for the Sealink and Valerie Jane ferries to Kangaroo Island, a place of unspoiled coastal scenery, Flinders Chase National Park, the Remarkable Rocks and the sea lion colony at Seal Bay. The Heysen Trail commences at the Cape and this long-distance walking trail passes through Deep Creek Conservation Park and ends 1500km later at Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges.

Other places to visit within the region include Hallet Cove, Second Valley, Tooperang’s Trout Farm, Paris Creek, and the Golden Ray Gardens at Meadows.

For further information, contact:

Victor Harbor Tourist Information Centre
Torrens Street
VICTOR HARBOR SA 5211
Phone: (085) 52 4255

Acknowledgement

Images courtesy of South Australia Tourism Commission

The South Australian Tourism Commission releases materials solely for the purpose of positive promotion of South Australia as a tourism and travel destination. Any breach of this copyright condition could result in legal action.

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