A relaxed two-day loop through the Adelaide Hills - from strudel on Hahndorf's main street to cool-climate sparkling, a sunset summit and long Sunday lunch among the vines.
Just twenty minutes from Adelaide, the Hills feel a world away - all misty ridgelines, gum-shaded villages and cellar doors hidden down country lanes. Here's how to spend a perfect weekend.
Saturday
Start in Hahndorf, Australia's oldest German town. Walk the plane-tree-lined main street, grab a warm pretzel or apple strudel from one of the bakeries, and browse the galleries and providores. By late morning, climb the hill to The Lane Vineyard or Hahndorf Hill Winery for your first tasting - the latter's ChocoVino chocolate-and-wine pairing is a memorable way in.
For lunch, drive across to Bird in Hand near Woodside for sparkling and pinot, or keep it casual with a cheese board at Udder Delights. Spend the afternoon on a short detour to Melba's Chocolate Factory before checking into a log-fire cottage.
As the light softens, head up to Mount Lofty Summit for the region's most famous view - the whole of Adelaide spread out to the sea, glowing as the city lights come on.
Sunday
Devote the morning to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden - magic in autumn when the foliage turns - or hand-feed kangaroos at Cleland Wildlife Park next door. Then point the car toward the ridge village of Uraidla for a long, unhurried lunch: wood-fired pizza and natural wine inside the old stone church at Lost in a Forest, or farm-driven dining nearby.
Finish with a final tasting at Shaw + Smith or Deviation Road before the easy run back down the freeway - already planning your return.
