How to Spend a Day in Hahndorf, South Australia
For a unique escape in the Adelaide Hills, here’s how to spend a day in Hahndorf – South Australia’s German town!
It’s no secret that Germany is one of my favourite countries in Europe. Although living in Australia for a year has been wonderful, one thing I’ve missed is being just a short plane ride away from a world of European delights. Thankfully, we found a bit of a tonic to the Euro-homesickness, just 30 minutes drive from Adelaide’s CBD!
Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German town, established by settlers in 1839. The town’s German heritage is abundant, in the charming historic buildings, food and drinks culture and through arts and crafts. Sure, there’s an element of the town that caters to tourists, but there’s an authenticity that stops Hahndorf simply being a theme park for German culture.
We visited as a backpacker couple in our 30s, but it’s also a great family-friendly destination. If you’re spending some time in Adelaide, I’d definitely recommend including a day in Hahndorf!
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Hahndorf Quick Guide
Getting there: Hahndorf is 30mins drive from Adelaide CBD. You can also catch the T801 bus towards Mount Barker, which takes around 50mins and departs every half an hour from 9am-5pm.
Top things to do: Walk along the historic high street and browse the shops; join a Hahndorf walking tour; sample some German style beers at Hahndorf Brewing; visit Hahndorf Academy to learn more about the history of the town and its people.
Where to stay: Discovery Parks Hahndorf (sites and units $-$$); Amble at Hahndorf ($$$-$$$$).
Where to eat: Hahndorf Inn, Haus Restaurant, German Spoon
Book a tour: Hahndorf and Barossa Valley with Winery Lunch; City, Adelaide Hills Villages, and Hahndorf Tour; Hahndorf Hidden Gems: Full-Day Adventure
How to get to Hahndorf
The perfect day trip from Adelaide, Hahndorf is within easy reach of the city. We actually visited heading towards Melbourne, so it’s a great option for a South Australia to Victoria road trip too!
By car:
Hahndorf is just 30 minutes’ drive from Adelaide CBD. If you don’t already have a vehicle, compare prices for car rental in Adelaide.
Parking can be a little tricky during busy times, so I’d recommend arriving early to beat the crowds for easier access. The Carl Nitschke Public Carpark is at the entrance to the high street, with free parking. There are also limited on-street parking spaces along the high street – we saw plenty on the east side of the town on our way out in the morning.
By bus:
The 864 & 864F bus service runs daily from the city to Hahndorf, taking around an hour and running every 30-60 minutes throughout the day. It’s the more scenic route, passing through Crafers, Stirling, Aldgate and Bridgewater.
The 841F and 860F runs an express route Monday-Friday, and the T843 runs at the weekend.
To plan your trip, visit the Adelaide Metro Journey Planner.
A single journey purchased via metroCard or Tap and Pay (contactless) costs $4.55 during peak times of the day, and $2.60 during off-peak times. You can find full fare details on the Adelaide Metro website, and all buses take contactless card or phone payments.
(If you’re not using contactless or a metroCard, you can buy a single ticket from a ticket outlet for $6.60 or $12.50 for a daytrip – the contactless option is easy and cheaper, though!)
Day tours from Adelaide:
Alternatively, you can join a tour from Adelaide to Hahndorf – most will also incorporate other sights in the Adelaide Hills. These are some of the most popular Hahndorf tours from Adelaide:
- Hahndorf and Barossa Valley with Winery Lunch
- City, Adelaide Hills Villages, and Hahndorf Tour
- Hahndorf Hidden Gems: Full-Day Adventure
Things to do on a day trip to Hahndorf
If you’re spending a day in Hahndorf, these are the top things to do, including recommendations for our favourite shops and bars!
Stroll Hahndorf’s main street
Our first impression of Hahndorf was walking the entire length of the main street on a sunny but cool Springtime day. Honestly, I was a little confused we were still in Australia (until we saw the pub and ‘pokies’ signs, at least). Many of the buildings along the tree-lined street are originals from when the town was first settled.
To dive deeper into Hahndorf’s history, take a guided walking tour, which includes visits to areas not open to the public, including St Paul’s Lutheran church.
Visit Hahndorf Academy
Nope, we’re not going back to school – Hahndorf Academy is a gallery, housing works from South Australian artists and makers.
Inside the Academy, you’ll also find the German Migration Museum, which details the lives of German migrants from their arrival in Hahndorf to the present day. You’ll also learn about the land’s original occupants, the First Nations Peramangk people, through artefacts and storytelling.
Drink German-style beer at Hahndorf Brewing
One of my favourite things about visiting Germany? The beer! And in Hahndorf, we found the perfect tonic for our Euro-longing at Hahndorf Brewing.
In a beer hall style setup, you’ll find taps serving traditional German-style lager, wheat beer and dark beers. My personal favourite was the Berliner Weiss, a sharp and fruity little number which went down a treat in the emerging Sunday sunshine.
Taste some Adelaide Hills wine
Prefer wine to beer? (or, like me, enjoy both equally in abundance?)
The Adelaide Hills is a wine-lover’s paradise, but you don’t even have to leave the high street to taste some of South Australia’s best offerings. The Wolf Blass Gallery & Wine Museum covers sixty years of winemaking tradition in the Adelaide Hills, and you can pick up some wines to take home at Somerled Wine and Landhaus Wines.
Shop local arts and crafts
Behind the well-preserved facades, you’ll find plenty of fascinating boutiques. From a Viking curiosity corner and a handcrafted knife shop, to a gin distillery tasting room and sweetshops, there’s a real artisan feel where every shop has it’s own flavour.
For the foodies: If you’re after some imported European goods, The German Pantry has you sorted – look out for the large German flag halfway up the main street! For those with a sweet tooth, Hahndorf Sweets and The Fruchocs Shop offer tasty treats.
Fashion lovers: Find secondhand bargains at the one preloved fashion; explore colourful new wardrobe additions at Boho Gypsy Belle; or go classic and cosy at House of Knitwear.
At the weekend, markets and pop-up events are often found around town too. We visited on a Sunday, and there was a cute little maker’s market set up in a hall in the middle of town.
Pick up a souvenir at the German Market Shop
There are plenty of shops to explore along Hahndorf’s main street, but this was by far my favourite for German-style souvenirs and traditional Bavarian decor!
Greeted by two giant nutcrackers patrolling the door, we stepped into a wonderland of trinket-box traditional German gifts. We were tempted by one of the cuckoo clocks in the gorgeous display, but settled for a magnet and a souvenir stein instead…
Get competitive at Hahndorf Mini Golf
For something a little different – how about a round of mini golf? This 18 hole course is the perfect spot of family fun, just off Hahndorf high street.
Pick your own strawberries at Beerenberg Farm
On the outskirts of town, you’ll find Beerenberg Farm. Between November and April, the farm opens up for visitors to pick their own strawberries! If you’re visiting out of season, the farm shop is absolutely worth checking out still, as they sell delicious dairy products, jams and chutneys all year round
The following attractions are a little outside of town, but easy to access if you have a car, and well worth visiting.
Hans Heysen – The Cedars
This expansive country estate is the former home of Sir Hans Heysen, who moved to Australia from Hamburg at the age of seven. Heysen’s watercolour and oil works brought to life the Australian bush, and he’s regarded as one of the country’s premier landscape artists.
The Cedars offers guided tours of the private studio, house and grounds. As you’d expect, the property is home to an extensive collection of works by Heysen and his daughter Nora, a highly regarded portrait and still life painter.
The Cedars is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. Guided tours cost $22 per adult ($8 per child), or self-guided admission is $17 ($5 per child).
Hahndorf Hill Winery
South Australia is known the world over for its winemaking, and this small, boutique vineyard sits on the outskirts of Hahndorf. Hahndorf Hill Winery offers tastings and pairing experiences in a picturesque Adelaide Hills setting.
Want to explore more of South Australia’s premier vineyards? Combine your visit to Hahndorf with a wine tour in the Barossa Valley on a Hahndorf and Barossa Valley tour, including lunch and tastings at two renowned wineries.
Hahndorf Farm Barn
If you’re visiting Hahndorf with kids, the Hahndorf Farm Barn is a great family-friendly activity. Part children’s farmyard, part wildlife park, the attraction has a variety of interactive shows and activities for kids to get involved in, from tractor rides to animal feeding.
Hahndorf Farm Barn is open daily from 10am to 4pm. Family passes start at $50.50 for two adults and one child – individual adult and child tickets are also available.
Where to eat in Hahndorf
We had dinner at the Hahndorf Inn, a historic 1863 building that serves German dishes and beers from Hahndorf Brewing. Their sausages are the stars of the show, served with mash and sauerkraut. Groups can share sausage tasting platters, and there’s also a plant-based sausage option which I definitely recommend for the veggies and vegans!
If you’re eating on a budget, Wunderbar Dog Haus offers takeaway German style hotdogs, and you can help yourself to as much sauce as you can handle! For eating in, German Spoon has a menu of daily specials starting at $15.
You can also order a German breakfast as well as quality classic dishes at Haus Restaurant, a modern town restaurant with sleek decor.
Staying the night in Hahndorf
If you’re planning to spend the night in Hahndorf, there are a variety of options for accommodation in the town. We found that after around 4-5pm, the visiting crowds disappeared and enjoyed a relaxed dinner and stroll along the high street. You can also book a night time walking tour, which includes dinner in a local restaurant.
Caravan/Camping: We stayed at the Discovery Parks Hahndorf site, just 25mins walk away from the main town centre. It’s a really beautiful park, with lakes, trees and even a mini golf course! The amenities are clean and modern, and the sites offer scenic valley views. Prices start at $59 per night for a powered site – cabins are also available for budget-friendly accommodation in Hahndorf.
Hotel: On the edge of town with easy access to the main street, Amble at Hahndorf is a 4* bed and breakfast property with a relaxing charm.
Looking for more things to do close to Adelaide? Check out our guide to Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village, South Australia’s spookiest roadside attraction!
Hahndorf FAQs
How long should I spend in Hahndorf?
We spent a full day in Hahndorf, plus a night nearby, and that allowed us plenty of time to explore the high street and main attractions. It’s also a very easy day trip from Adelaide! You can also extend your stay and explore more of the Adelaide Hills including Mount Lofty and local winery tours.
When’s the best time to visit Hahndorf?
Hahndorf is lovely all year round, but the autumn colours of March-May give off a real European feel. Generally, visiting in the spring and autumn brings the best balance of mild, comfortable weather.
During winter (June-August), the Adelaide Hills sees much colder temperatures, dropping as low as 5°C at night. On the opposite end, the summer months of December-February see temperatures averaging highs of 28°C.
We visited in September, when the springtime weather was relatively cool. However, we still felts some bursts of the warm Australian sunshine in the Hahndorf Brewery Beer Garden!
Can you walk around Hahndorf?
Absolutely! We spent our day in Hahndorf entirely on foot. But for some of the further out attractions, you may want to consider driving, as not everywhere has public transport links.
Is Hahndorf expensive to visit?
Getting to Hahndorf by bus is very inexpensive – the most you’d pay for a return bus trip is $12.50. Once you’re there, the trip can be as cheap or expensive as you make it! Obviously, you’ll spend more if you’re drinking or shopping, but walking around and window shopping is completely free! We spent around $30 each on a meal at Hahndorf Inn. Beers cost us $16-18 each, and I also spent $6 on a fridge magnet.
