History in the hills

The Adelaide Hills offer spectacular views, morning mists and grand mansions. Stunning in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom and autumn when the leaves turn bright yellow and red. Stroll about and enjoy the charm of colonial days in the historic townships of Stirling, Aldgate and Bridgewater. Stay in gracious accommodation in historic properties proud of their heritage such as Thorngrove Manor with its castle-like design and sumptuous furnishings and Mount Lofty House with its gracious rooms and English-style gardens.

The village of Hahndorf, where 187 German Lutheran settlers made their home, retains its German-style charm, entertainment, nightlife and German cake shops. At the Handorf Academy watch artists work, and purchase their crafts. The Cedars, home of the famous artist, Sir Hans Heysen, has been preserved and has a wonderful collection of artwork and furniture. His artist's studio is as he left it and is still surrounded by the gums that featured in many of his paintings. While in the hills district dine at Bridgewater Mill the spectacularly renovated 1860s flour mill where you can visit the sparkling-wine maturation cellars of the Petaluma winemaking empire. For animal lovers the Cleland Wildlife Park has 70 hectares of shady bushland teeming with native birds and animals, including koalas and kangaroos. See rare and endangered species including bilbies, bettongs and platypus at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary near Mylor. For antiques head to Woodside or further south to Strathalbyn.