Must See Now – South Australia’s Blaze Of Colour

Feature Image: Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission

Just a twenty-minute drive east of Adelaide’s city centre are the Adelaide Hills which are a blaze of colour in autumn.

Winding through the streets of the Hills provides a stunning view at almost every turn and along the way there are plenty of distinctive, country-style pubs where beer, excellent local wines and conversation flow. The natives here are friendly and the food is fresh and made with pride from local produce. The cool-climate wines produced here are acclaimed world-wide and there are more than 20 wineries, many with cellar doors.

In the heart of the Adelaide Hills region is the township of Hahndorf, with its German heritage still very much in evidence and where a meandering walk along the town’s main road during Autumn is a must. This was the birthplace of Hans Heysen so be sure to visit the famous landscape painter’s home, The Cedars, and the stone studio where he worked.

Autumn in the Adelaide Hills also means orchards, vines and strawberry patches laden with fruit. You can come and pick your own figs, apples and strawberries, and stock up at farm gates or at local markets where bountiful harvests are on display.

Another must see is the stunning Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens set on just under 100 hectares, it is one of the best places to see autumn leaves en masse. The gardens overlook the picturesque Piccadilly Valley, which features displays of cool-climate plants, that thrive on the eastern slopes of Mount Lofty. Bring you walking shoes to enjoy the trails and paths that pass through the glades and gullies and perhaps a picnic too, to fully immerse yourself in the stunning colours all around. The lower part of the garden is highly popular in autumn, where the trees around the lake are breathtaking.

Why not round out your visit with a visit to one of the wildlife sanctuaries nestled in beautiful settings, there’s also a national museum of motoring history in the township of Birdwood and be sure to make a stop at Mt Lofty Summit, where you can enjoy panoramic view of the city and coastline plus there’s also an excellent visitor information centre, cafe and restaurant.

There are numerous SA Parks member caravan and holiday parks that are located within the Adelaide Hills such as Discovery Parks Hahndorf, Belair National Park Holiday Park and Mount Barker Caravan & Tourist Park.

You can find a full list of all of the caravan and camping parks located in the Adelaide Hills here.

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