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The Adelaide Hills are enjoyable at any time of year. Routes to the Hills from Adelaide include:
Via: the South Eastern Freeway
Unley Road, Belair Road
Greenhill Road
North Terrace, Magill Road
Campbelltown
Tea Tree Gully
Return to previous page for individual towns
There are villages to explore with a profusion of cafes and bakeries. Antique, craft and collectables shops are waiting to be discovered as well as a weekend market or two.
Autumn presents a kaleidoscope of colours as the trees prepare for winter. Yellows, scarlets and all colours in between turn the hillsides into a wonderland.
Winter when the log fires and aromas of freshly brewed coffee and mulled wine from the hotels and cafes are most welcome. The crisp air entices a spring in the step for a brisk walk. Roadside apple stalls offer plump, juicy, just-picked apples.
Spring arrives with a profusion of flowering bulbs and trees bursting with blossoms.
Summer is cherry time and plump ripe cherries are available fresh from orchards and roadside stalls. Hot days close with the cool of hills' evenings and its easy to see why Adelaide gentry of earlier days escaped to their Hills residences in summer.
Wine and Food
The Adelaide Hills was the first area in South Australia to be planted with grape vines. Today the Adelaide Hills is a flourishing wine area with a focus on cool climate wines. There are numerous cellar door facilities where wine lovers can sample varieties of wine before purchasing some of the world's best. In addition there are gourmet restaurants and cafes as well as boutique food outlets, such as cheesemakers who welcome visitors.
Mount Lofty Summit
Mount Lofty Summit, 710 metres above sea level, is a “MUST SEE” when visiting Adelaide. The view from the summit lookout takes in the city all the way to the sea. At night as the city lights up, you can see a kaleidoscope of coloured fairy lights. It is only 15 minutes from the city centre.
For more localised information on the Adelaide hills, go to the individual towns on this website
Onkaparinga Valley, Adelaide Hills
Turn off the South East Freeway to acces the route along the Onkaparinga Highway through the heart of the Onkaparinga Valley via Verdun, Balhannah, Oakbank and on to Lobethal, Gumeracha and Birdwood. The route is one of the most enjoyable drives in the Adelaide Hills. It takes in the scenic rolling hills with vineyards, apple, pear and cherry orchards and lush dairy country. Freshly picked fruit and flowers are available from roadside stalls.
The villages along the way were settled by English/Scottish and German pioneers. Charming heritage buildings now house galleries, antique and collectable shops, wine and cheese outlets, cosy cafés and restaurants.
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