Head for the (Adelaide) hills

The green rolling backdrop to the city of Adelaide offers a dizzying choice of things to do, from bush walks up hills, down valleys, along creeks and into...a wildlife park where you can feed kangaroos and emus, pat koalas and meet a potoroos or two, before...wine tasting, at one of over 60 wineries dotted through the hills. By now you must be hungry for some food, which you can pick fresh from the trees, bushes and vines. It is then lovingly cooked at one of the renowned pubs, restuarants, markets and cafes.

Are you starting to get the idea? 

Mt Lofty Summit

Adelaide’s highest peak is obviously going to offer some pretty fine views – and the Mt Lofty Summit does not disappoint.  On a clear day, you can see all the way down to Kangaroo island with the city almost in reach in front of you and the many miles of stunning coastline just beyond.

To get here

Walk, uphill, from Waterfall Gully.  It’s a workout, it’s very popular, and it’s totally worth it. 

Bus, from Currie St in the city, it’s actually two buses and you can only get it once or twice a day 

Car, grab some friends, head up the highway, it will only take you 25 minutes – easy!  

Cleland Wildlife Park

If getting up close and personal with some of Australia’s favourite wildlife is on your list, this is the place to tick it off.  A beautiful park set within the Cleland Conservation Park offering a pretty authentic home to the koalas, kangaroos, emus, potoroos (these little cuties will charm your socks off) and dingos. You can even hold a koala and get yourself a souvenir photo to show your friends.   

And did we mention that YHA members get 25% off the entry fee?

You’re very welcome!

To get here 

Same as Mt Lofty Summit, but you’ll need to follow the signs to Cleland Wildlife Park. 

A Tipple  Tasting or Two  

Wine, beer, cider, gin, whisky, (and probably moonshine if you find the right people) are all present and accounted for amongst the fine makers of the Adelaide Hills.  A renowned wine region in itself

Check out 

•  Prancing Pony Brewery 
•  Hill’s Cider Company 
•  Deviation Road Winery 
•  Adelaide Hills Distillery 
•  Anywhere in Basket Range 

To get here

Car – but only if you have a happy sober driver – there’s nothing worse that a spoil sport when you’re on a tasting roll 

Trailhoppers’ hop on, hop off bus – no designated drivers required 

Tour – a number of tours will show you an amazing day in the Adelaide Hills, with plenty of wine tasting include  

Food, Glorious Food  

You have now entered a veritable cornucopia of fine food, where you can find valleys full of fruit orchards, hills covered in strawberry bushes, fine lines of healthy grape vines, cheese makers, chocolatiers, bread bakers and farmers over every other fence.  Food this good and fresh can be picked by you, purchased at a farm gate, seen at all the markets and enjoyed when cooked by any of the many incredible chefs that call the Adelaide Hills their home.

Try this: 

•  Pick your own Strawberries at the Beerenberg Family Farm 
•  Sample cheese and produce at the Woodside Cheese Wrights cellar door 
•  Try before you buy at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market 
•  Enjoy some delicious pub grub (with a difference) by the fire at the warm and quirky Uraidla hotel 
•  Fill an entire afternoon with a long long lunch at Barristers Block Winery  

Stay

At Mt Lofty Cottage YHA, where you will find a cosy little cottage nestled within the Cleland Conservation Park, surrounded by walking trails with views out over the city – exclusive use only, sleeps up to 10 people. 

Alternatively, head back to the city and enjoy the awards winning comfort and hospitality of Adelaide Central YHA.