Heritage & History
German settlement and colonial villages
The best heritage & history in Adelaide Hills
Trace the story of Australia's oldest surviving German settlement and the timber, mining and orchard towns that grew up across the ranges.
Browse heritage & history by area
6 places
Bridgewater Mill
$$A turning waterwheel beside a historic flour mill
The landmark 1860s flour mill, with its enormous working waterwheel on Cox Creek, now home to a cellar door and dining beside the rushing water.
Charleston
FreeA quiet Onkaparinga Valley village
A small historic village in the Onkaparinga Valley, a peaceful stop on the touring route between Woodside and the eastern wine districts.
Hahndorf Main Street
$$The heart of Australia's oldest German town
A plane-tree-lined main street of Fachwerk buildings, German bakeries, beer halls, galleries and providores that draws visitors year-round.
Nairne
FreeA historic main-street village east of Mount Barker
One of the oldest inland towns in South Australia, Nairne has a handsome heritage main street, a famous smallgoods maker and an unhurried country feel.
National Motor Museum
$$The southern hemisphere's great motoring collection
A sprawling museum partly housed in an 1852 flour mill, displaying hundreds of historic cars, motorcycles and the story of Australian motoring.
SteamRanger Heritage Railway
$$Heritage steam journeys from Mount Barker
A volunteer-run heritage railway running restored steam and diesel services from Mount Barker station on select days, including scenic Hills runs.