Hahndorf

Hahndorf SA 5245 (Pop 2 000)

Hahndorf is a beautifully preserved and Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement nestled in the Adelaide Hills. Located 26 km east of Adelaide, it has substantially retained its Germanic heritage and culture. First settled by German immigrants fleeing persecution in Prussia, Hahndorf was established in 1840s and named after the Danish ship captain who brought them to Australia and continued to help them obtain land and settle. Vineyards and crops were planted and the small settlement flourished. Surrounded by green hills, historic villages and pretty native bushland, Hahndorf attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to experience a little piece of Germany in rural Australia. Heysen Festival (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info: Historic Hahndorf (over 50 sites many of which are in Main St) including Thiele’s cottage & old flower shop (No 100 & 102) (1839), old flour mill (No 98) (1853), Haebich’s Cottage (No 75) (1850s), German Arms Hotel (No 69) (1861), Detmold House (No 85) (1861), Hahndorf Inn (No 35) (1863), old blacksmith’s shop (No 73) (1880), Hahndorf Academy (No 68) (1883), St Paul’s Lutheran Church (1880s). St Michael’s Lutheran Church (Church St) (1858) Australia’s oldest Lutheran church.

Nearby: Cleland Conservation Park (14 km n-w) beautiful 35 ha reserve of stringybark forests and grassy lowlands. Highlights include panoramic views from Mt Lofty Summit viewing platform, Cleland Wildlife Park with a large variety of native animals and the Yurridla Trail Aboriginal tour. Belair NP (19 km west) an 837 ha park and SA’s oldest featuring five defined bushwalks (from easy to challenging) and Old Government House (1859) open Sun/public holidays. Oakbank (7 km north) a pretty craft and heritage town hosting the Southern Hemisphere’s largest annual race meeting, Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival. Aldgate (8 km west) interesting heritage village with craft shops, historic Aldgate Pump, Stangate House and annual Autumn Leaves Festival (May). Jupiter Creek Goldfields (12 km s-w) (1852) interesting interpretive walks. Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens (14 km n-w) Australia’s largest botanic gardens.

Accommodation: Hahndorf has half a dozen motels & hotels, B&Bs, holiday cottages and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 41 Main St. Tel (08) 8388 1185.