48 hours in the Adelaide Hills

Posted 28 February, 2019 Jeremy Rochow

If you want to take a weekend trip, but don’t want to spend hours driving to your destination, the Adelaide Hills might be just what you’re looking for.   Only an hour from the centre of the city, this leafy region promises to provide you with an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. To help you do that, we’ve come up with 3 must-dos if you’ve only got a weekend to spend in the hills.  

Explore the great outdoors

The Adelaide Hills has a seemingly endless number of beautiful national parks, forests and gardens to explore. Meander along the paths that sprawl through the 97-hectare Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, or put on your hiking boots and tackle one of the countless walking trails that are spread across the region.     You could hike along parts of the 1200km Heysen Trail which runs through Mylor and Hahndorf, or take on the 22km Pioneer Women’s Trail from Verdun to Beaumont. If you’re looking for something a bit more action-packed, go mountain biking from the Mount Lofty Summit all the way back down to Adelaide.   Escapegoat Adventures will take you along tracks that pass through stunning native bush – you might even spot koalas or kangaroos in their native habitat.    

Take a history lesson

If you’re a car buff or history enthusiast, then you’ll want to visit Birdwood while you’re in the Adelaide Hills. The small town, with a population of about 1300, is home to the National Motor Museum, featuring a collection of more than 300 vehicles – that’s less than 5 people per car. While, it may be closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s well worth keeping on your radar when you’re in the Adelaide Hills.