Hahndorf
A German village founded by Prussian migrants in 1839. It is the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, and its German sausages and beer are the signature attractions.
Hahndorf lies in the Adelaide Hills, about 28 km from the city centre. It was founded in 1839 by Prussian Lutheran migrants fleeing religious persecution, and it is named after Captain Hahn, who transported them. It is the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia. Along Main Street, many 19th-century stone and timber-framed (Fachwerk) buildings have been preserved. They now house German restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, craft stores and galleries. In autumn, the plane trees lining the street turn golden.
Must-try: German pork knuckle, sausage platters paired with local beer (at historic spots such as The German Arms Hotel and Hahndorf Inn), apple strudel and Black Forest cake. At Beerenberg Farm, you can pick your own strawberries in summer and buy jams. Nearby, the Adelaide Hills wine region has many cool-climate wineries known for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Getting there: it's about 25 minutes' drive from the city centre via the M1 motorway, or take bus route 864.
Tip: combine it with Mount Lofty and Cleland Wildlife Park for a day trip through the Adelaide Hills.
Opening hours
Open all day (shops about 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Mount Lofty Summit
- Cleland Wildlife Park
- Morialta Conservation Park
- Penfolds Magill Estate
- National Wine Centre of Australia
- Adelaide Botanic Garden
- Art Gallery of South Australia
- Rundle Mall