Gardens and autumn colour drive
A loop through the leafy upper Hills when the deciduous trees turn gold and red.
The plan
The upper Adelaide Hills were planted by homesick European settlers, and every autumn they get their reward: streets and gardens that blaze gold, copper and crimson. From roughly mid-April through May, the cool, high villages around Mount Lofty put on one of the best leaf shows in the country.
This is a gentle driving loop, heavy on gardens and viewpoints, with stops for coffee and a long lunch. Bring a camera and a jacket — mornings up here are crisp, and the fog in the gullies is part of the magic.
Start at the botanic garden while the light is soft, and finish on a ridge with a glass of something warming.
Day 1
6 stops-
1
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
StirlingWander the cool-climate garden — its exotic deciduous plantings are the autumn highlight of the Hills.
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2
Mount Lofty Summit
StirlingPause for the panorama across Adelaide to the sea, often above a sea of valley fog.
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3
Carrick Hill
CrafersA 1930s estate with formal gardens, a sculpture trail and blazing autumn borders.
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4
The Stirling Hotel
StirlingLong lunch in Stirling, the village most famous for its autumn streetscapes.
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5
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6
Mount Lofty House
CrafersFinish with a fireside drink and ridge-top view over the Piccadilly Valley.
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On the map
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Image credits
- Autumn reflections over Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens.jpg by Hardlinerr , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons