Hahndorf

The quaint village of Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement and dates back to 1838, when a Lutheran pastor made arrangements for the first German migrants to come here. The German heritage is most evident in shops, bakeries and restaurants around the village. There are plenty of souvenir and arts and crafts shops, galleries and museums, including the Hahndorf Academy, which is an interesting regional centre for arts, history and heritage. It is housed in a 150-year old ironstone cottage. The famous artist Hans Heysen used to live in Hahndorf; his home and studio are still owned by the Heysen family and can be visited during guided tours. There is a beautiful collection of paintings and drawings that display the artist’s incredible versatility. Near Hahndorf, visitors can pick their own strawberries at Beerenberg, which is a famous brand for jams, marmalades, sauces and preserves that are made right here, in the Adelaide Hills!