Hahndorf is in the Adelaide Hills region and is Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. Hahndorf has plenty of souvenir shops, craft outlets and galleries to explore. There's still a strong German flavour in the town, most evident in the small good outlets and German bakeries that line the main street. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at Beerenberg Strawberry Farm or visit the former home and studio of Sir Hans Heysen, The Cedars. There are several good winery cellar doors in the area and the Hahndorf Farm Barn is an enjoyable stop for families.

Understand

A sign in German – hot dogs, anyone?

History

The town was settled by Lutheran migrants largely from in and around a small village then named Kay in Prussia and now known as Kije, Lubusz Voivodeship in Poland. Many of the settlers arrived aboard the Zebra on 28 December 1838. The town is named after Dirk Meinerts Hahn, the Danish captain of the Zebra.

Early German settlers

During the British colonisation of South Australia, the settlers were mostly British, but some German "Old Lutherans" also emigrated in the early years. The first large group of Germans arrived in 1838, with the financial assistance of the Emigration Fund. Most moved out of Adelaide and to the Barossa Valley and settlements in the Hills such as Hahndorf, living in socially closed communities, by 1842, and did not participate in government until 15 years later.

Get in

By car

Hahndorf is 26 km (16 mi) southeast of Adelaide via the South Eastern Freeway (M1).

By bus

The 864/864F bus between the Adelaide city centre and Mount Barker stops at two stops in Hahndorf. The 864 stops every station, while the 864F runs express between Stop 13 Glen Osmond Road and Stop B2 West Terrace.

Get around

Much of the town can be reached on foot. The 864 bus stops at four stops on the main street, but otherwise motor travel needs to be by car.

Do

• 1 Beerenberg Family Farm, 2106 Mount Barker Rd, ☏ +61 8 8388 7272. M-F 9AM-4:15PM, seasonal. A pick-your-own strawberry farm open during the warmer season (generally November to April). Fresh, juicy strawberries and family fun. Entry $5 per person, free for 12 and under; strawberries are $10.95/kg. 
• 2 Hahndorf Farm Barn, 2282 Mount Barker Rd, ☏ +61 8 8388 7289. M-F 10AM-4PM. Petting zoo with a spectacular variety of animals, including to cows, ponies, deer, ducks, kangaroos, sheep, goats, peacocks, reptiles, and emus. Includes BBQ areas, pony and tractor rides, and daily opportunities to milk cows or hold pythons. 
• 3 Hans Heysen Art Studio, 68 Heysen Road, ☏ +61 8 8388 7277. Tu-Su 10AM-4:30PM. The museum gallery of one of South Australia's most prominent artists, with guided tours. 

Buy

German Village Shop

• 1 The German Village Shop, 50 Main Street, ☏ +61 8 8388 7324, info@thegermanvillageshop.com.au. Daily 10AM-5PM. Family-owned business selling authentic German products, with a particular focus on Black Forest cuckoo clocks and traditional beer steins. 

Eat

• 1 Hahndorf Inn, 35 Main Street, ☏ +61 8 8388 7063, info@hahndorfinn.com.au. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-midnight. A local institution since 1863, serving a fusion of hearty German cuisine and Aussie pub food. 
• 2 The German Cake Shop Family Restaurant, 2 Pine Ave, ☏ +61 8 8388 7086, germancake@bigpond.com. 8AM-5PM daily. Family-owned restaurant mainly known for their German-style cakes, but also for other specialities like sausages and breads. 
• 3 The Plough Hahndorf, Unit 2/42 Mount Barker Rd, ☏ +61 8 7280 0321. M W Th Sa Su 8AM-3PM, F 8AM-10PM, closed Tu. Family-owned Irish cafe. 
• 4 Udder Delights Cheese Cellar, 91 Main Street, ☏ +61 8 8388 1588. M-Th 10AM-4PM, F-Su 9AM-5PM. An inductee into the SA Tourism Awards Hall of Fame, options here are as wide as free samples, high teas, ploughman's lunches, cheese fondues, and wine-and-cheese pairing classes. You can even order cheese wedding cakes! 

Sleep

Due to its close proximity to Adelaide, Hahndorf is primarily a day trip destination. However, several hotels are available for overnight stays.

• 1 Hahndorf Motel, 60 Main Street, ☏ +61 8 8388 1026, hahndorfmotel@gmail.com. Centrally located budget option. Clean rooms. Spanish, French, and Portuguese-speaking staff available. 
• 2 Manna by Haus, 25 Main Street, ☏ +61 8 8388 1000, hello@thehausgroup.com.au. Clean and quiet "Scandinavian-inspired" option. 

Respect

Hahndorf is not a part of Adelaide, and like other towns in the orbit of a bigger city, doesn't like being conflated with the nearby city rather than recognised for its own identity.