Top things to do in Hahndorf

Looking for all the best things to do in Hahndorf, South Australia? Check out all our options for tours, activities and attractions & book online here.

Top things to do in Hahndorf

Looking for all the best things to do in Hahndorf, South Australia? Check out all our options for tours, activities and attractions & book online here.

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Top 10 Things to do Hahndorf

One of Australia’s most unique little towns, South Australia's Hahndorf is one of the last remaining German migration townships in the country.

Still alive with the sound of clinking beer steins, the sound of fresh pretzels and scenery to boot, Hahndorf should be a go-to destination for those looking to visit some of Australia’s best destinations.

If you're looking to pay a visit to this gorgeous hub just to the north of Adelaide, we take a look at the top things to do in Hahndorf in detail below.

1. Hahndorf Inn

Location: Hahndorf, Adelaide Hill, SA

Hahndorf is located in the Adelaide Hills and is the oldest surviving German settlement within Australia. It's German history, heritage and charm shines through when you visit the village and experience the hospitality of the many traditional European establishments that remain.

Hahndorf Inn is the heart of the community serving up delicious German meals with famous German brews and desserts, you'll be sure to walk away well fed. This is one of the top things to do in Hahndorf.

If you’re planning to visit Hahndorf and have flexibility for when you’re going to visit, it’s advised you visit in the month of October.

Throughout the month the town comes alive in the spirit of Oktoberfest. Think dirndls, pretzels and braids, Hahndorf is the place to be during October.

If you are going to celebrate Oktoberfest in Australia, then this is the closest experience you will get to feeling like you are back in Germany. With the atmosphere jubilant, it is easy get swept up in the festivities.

It's German history, heritage and charm shines through when you visit the village and experience the hospitality of the many traditional European establishments that remain.

However, if you’re visiting at other times of the year you won’t be disappointed as the town is filled with so much history and culture you won’t be disappointed.

So head to the nearest Hahndorf bar, order a beer and say 'Prost!' with good company.

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2. Hahndorf Ocktoberfest

Location: 35 Main St, Hahndorf, SA

A must-visit local establishment iconic of the area, the Hahndorf Inn is a longstanding pillar of the community. Serving up delicious German meals paired with famous German brews and desserts, you’ll be sure to walk away well fed and happy with a visit here.

Hahndorf Inn has a strong partnership with producers in Bavaria and Austria, which ensure their produce is as authentic as it can be - it's a true slice of Europe within South Australia.

If you are going to celebrate Oktoberfest in Australia, then this is the closest experience you will get to feeling like you are back in Germany. With the atmosphere jubilant, it is easy get swept up in the festivities.

Hahndorf Inn is the heart of the community serving up delicious German meals with famous German brews and desserts, you'll be sure to walk away well fed.

Browse the menu for a standout dish or choose one of the crowd favourites including pretzels, wiener schnitzels, the largest German hot dog in Australia, the Riesen Hot Dog, as well as bratwurst, bockwurst and weisswurst.

If a good, hard drink is what you’re after try some of their German beers including the Arcobräu schloss helles lager, or their selection of delicious schnapps including Barenjager honey vodka.

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3. Tour a local winery

Location: Various Locations, SA

The Adelaide Hills are alive with the smell of wine. Featuring a number of boutique wineries, you can tour the vineyards and visit the cellar doors to taste some of their latest drops.

In fact, there are over 90 wine labels and 50 cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills. Visitors will come across a few of these on a visit to Hahndorf.

View almost all the wine labels in one central place at the Adelaide Hills Wine Centre where nearly 60 of the regions award winning wines are on display. The centre is a great way for you to learn more about the wine while listening to experts. And you may even be tempted to make a purchase or two after tasting them.

If you wish to make a day of it- then add Bendbrook Wines, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Nepenthe, Scott & La Prova Somerled Wine Bar and The Lane to your cellar door wish list.

A must-do experience for wine lovers visiting the region, you could easily spend the entire day travelling from winery to winery, cellar door to cellar door sipping delicious drops of red and white wine and even purchasing a few bottles of the ones you liked.

Better yet, why not book a winery tour so you don't need to worry about driving or having someone in the group be your designated driver and missing out on the fun.

A must-do experience for wine lovers visiting the region, you could easily spend the entire day travelling from winery to winery, cellar door to cellar door sipping delicious drops of red and white wine and even purchasing a few bottles of the ones you liked.

With an organised tour, you can be taken to some of the region’s best wineries to enjoy tastings while learning about the wines and the vineyard itself.

The perfect way to enjoy an adult outing in the region, book yourself a spot on a tour through the Adelaide Hills to begin an awesome (and delicious) adventure in this popular South Australian region.

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4. Beerenberg Strawberry Farm

Location: Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, SA

This family owned and operated attraction in Hahndorf - based around the simple concept of picking and enjoying your own strawberries - has been in operation for decades and blends together outdoor entertainment, delicious preserves and fresh strawberries.

Beerenberg Strawberry Farm is an activity that both adults and kids can enjoy together and for a small entry fee, visitors can enter the farm and its strawberry patch, grab a bucket, and then hand-pick their own strawberries to take home.

The strawberries here are famously sweet while still being well priced - they're paid for by the kilo - and there's a certain satisfaction to be gleaned from consuming your own handpicked fruit. You'll never want to touch a supermarket-purchased strawberry again!

In operation since 1975, Beerenberg Farm welcomes hundreds of visitors through its gates every season.

Pick punnets of strawberries fresh from the paddock at Beerenberg Farm. Picking season runs from November to April and gives visitors the chance to roam around the paddock and pick some of the biggest and juiciest strawberries they can find.

In operation since 1975, Beerenberg Farm welcomes hundreds of visitors through its gates every season.

The extensive line of strawberry produce is also available to be purchased outright, and visitors are given the chance to try before you buy, with samples available. In addition to the fresh strawberries you’ll find a selection of jams, chutneys, chocolates, sauces and other strawberry-related goods.

Picking season at Beerenberg runs from October to April; just be sure to check there's enough berries available to pick before visiting.

This is a fun activity for the whole family, couples or solo travellers to get outdoors in Hahndorf and see for yourself where our fresh Australian produce really comes from.

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5. Gulf Brewery & Beer Garden

Location: 81 Main Street Hahndorf, SA

Those with a taste for a drop of the good stuff can enjoy a pint or two (or three) from Hahndorf’s Gulf Brewery. The newly renovated microbrewery now features a delightfully relaxing beer garden where you could easily spend the whole afternoon.

Serving up a collection of boutique beers including Dunkel Sturm, Hump Back Pale Ale and Fish Tale Pilsner, you can try as many as you fancy or pick your favourite.

The newly renovated microbrewery now features a delightfully relaxing beer garden that you could easily spend the whole afternoon sampling boutique beers.

If you’re looking to sample a number of different brews, you can order a tasting paddle to try one of everything and determine which flavour suits you the best.

To accompany the beer, the bar also serves a number of small dishes from the bar, however, you don’t go for the food, you go for the beer.

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6. The Lane Vineyard Wine Tasting

The cellar door at the Lane Vineyard in Hahndorf is a must-visit with delicious Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Chardonnay varietals to sample overlooking the lush vineyards.

7. Pioneer Women's Trail

Location: Various Locations, SA

Stretching around 22 kilometres, the Pioneer Women’s Trail is a scenic trail through a beautiful section of the Adelaide Hills.

Passing through native bushland and by historic homes, the trail was created to honour early European settlers who provided fresh produce to Adelaide.

Stretching around 22 kilometres, the Pioneer Women’s Trail is a scenic trail through a beautiful section of the Adelaide Hills honouring the early European settlers of Hahndorf that supplied Adelaide with produce.

An extended walk not for the faint-hearted, the trail takes around 7 to 10 hours to complete and if you’re not in a rush, can be extended to two days.

The Pioneer Women’s Trail is considered to be a class 3 and class 4 trail.

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8. Hahndorf Sweets

Location: 54a Main Street, Hahndorf, SA

Those visiting Hahndorf in possession of a sweet tooth will want to make a beeline directly to this excellent little store. Selling a wide mixture of crowd-favourite sweets, candies and lollies, a visit to Hahndorf Sweets will take you back in time to your childhood in enjoyable fashion.

With an old-time feel to the shopfront and staff on hand to help you out with your choices, you might lose at least an hour simply trying to decide which sweets to buy - let alone enjoying them afterwards!

Selling a lot of crowd-favourite sweets, candies and lollies, a visit to Hahndorf Sweets will take you back in time to your childhood. The store has an old-time feel which only serves to add to its charm.

Some standout products include Coconut Ice, Almond and Honey Nougat, Scorched Almonds, Fried Eggs, Bean Boozled Jelly Beans, Choc Aniseed Rings, and various different flavours of fudge.

The shop is located on Main Street and is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm seven days a week. You can order your favourite sweets online or visit the shop to be transported to a candy wonderland.

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9. Hahndorf Academy

Location: 68 Main Street, Hahndorf, SA

Hahndorf Academy, located on Main Street, has gone through multiple functions throughout its history - at various points, it's been a school, a seminary, a hospital, and now serves as a great little art gallery.

Standing as part of the community for 150 years, the Academy now houses an intriguing collection of artwork, ceramics, jewellery, sketches and more.

The Academy also houses the German Migration Museum, where you can learn about the region’s rich German history.

This is an art gallery with a difference; for not only can you admire the art but you can take an art class or join a workshop here. There is also a German Migration Museum if you want to learn more about the region's local history.

Combining culture and history, Hahndorf Academy features a number of different exhibits throughout the year and is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.

The museum has free entry and is open daily from 10am to 5pm. If you are looking for a unique souvenir to take home with you then you just might find it here at the Academy Shop.

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10. Hahndorf Hop On Hop Off Tour

Leave the keys at home and drink the freshest drops of wine as much as you like on this convenient Hahndorf Hop On Hop Off bus visiting the very best wineries of the region.
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