Maxwell's Tour South Australia.

                        ADELAIDE HILLS

Twenty minutes’ drive from the Adelaide GPO you’re into the Adelaide Hills, where you can sample fresh, organic produce, experience the changing seasons and enjoy panoramic views of hillsides draped with steep vineyards and orchards.

ENJOY THE SEASONS

The Hills region is famous for its ever-changing colours. Every autumn, those in the know take to the hills to savour t he gold and burgundy shades of the trees lining the roads, a legacy of the early European settlers.

Once upon a time, the Adelaide Hills attracted the city’s gentry escaping the summer heat. Now all seasons bring visitors and the local Adelaidians up to sample the cool climate wines from around 20 vineyards and12 cellar doors, to buy seasonal produce direct from the growers.

You can pick your own berries on some farms in the hills or stop off at a roadside stall where you will find top quality fruit, vegetables, jams, chutneys and flowers at prices you haven’t seen in a long, long time.

When it’s warm, you can meander on a bushwalk in the national parks or If there’s a nip in the air, settle into a hills pub for hearty fare and a chat by the fire or tuck yourself up in one of the many bed and breakfast accommodation choices and let someone else spoil you.

There is also lots of family fun to be enjoyed at the renowned toy factory a Gumeracha or a picnic at the Cleland Wildlife Park near Mount Lofty.

Pack a picnic and explore the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Belair National Park or join the animals at Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can cuddle a koala and walk the park rim with spectacular views of the city. At The Warrawong Sanctuary you can experience Australian native wildlife in their natural habitat.
Dawn and dusk tours here will introduce you to the bilby and the bettong, once so numerous on the southern Australian plains. Take the time to settle by the dam and do a little platypus-spotting before dinner.

TOP SECRETS

• Go cycling along the Mawson Trail
• Admire the views from Mount Lofty Summit
• Visit The Cedars studio of Hans Heyson at Hahndorf
• Sample some Adelaide Hills cool climate wine

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• Adelaide Hills Harvest Festival – February
• Mount Barker Country Music Festival – February
• Oakbank Easter Carnival – April
• Heysen Festival, Hahndorf – September
• Lobethal Christmas Lights – December

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