Things to Do in Hahndorf: A Local's Guide to Australia's Oldest German Settlement

Start here. Hahndorf's main street runs for about a kilometre through the centre of town, and most of the best shops, cafes, and attractions sit along it or just off it. The streetscape itself is the attraction: mature European trees, stone and timber heritage buildings, and a mix of independent businesses that have resisted the usual chain-store takeover.

Take your time. Duck into the specialty food shops, browse the leather goods and handmade candles, and stop for a coffee before you commit to a bigger plan. The character of the place reveals itself when you slow down.

German Food Experiences

You cannot visit Hahndorf without eating German food. The town has several restaurants and cafes serving traditional fare, from pork knuckle and schnitzel to bratwurst, sauerkraut, and freshly baked pretzels. Portion sizes tend to be generous, and most places are family-friendly.

For something lighter, the German bakeries along the main street sell pastries, strudel, and sourdough loaves that are worth the visit on their own. If you have a sweet tooth, the Bee Sting (Bienenstich) pastry is a local favourite.

Art Galleries and Craft Shops

Hahndorf has a long connection to the arts, most notably through landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen, who lived and worked in the area for decades. That creative tradition continues today in the galleries and studios scattered along the main street and surrounding roads.

The Hahndorf Academy is a good starting point. It houses a regional art gallery and a small museum covering the town's German heritage. Beyond that, you will find independent galleries showing local painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and jewellers. Several studios welcome visitors to watch artists at work, which is worth doing if you have the time.

Wine Tasting at Hahndorf Hill

A short drive up the hill from the main street, Hahndorf Hill is a boutique winery specialising in cool-climate fine wines from the Adelaide Hills. The cellar door sits on the first level of the winery building, opening onto a balcony with panoramic views across the vineyard and the valley beyond.

Drop in for a guided tasting of the current releases, which span Gruner Veltliner (an Austrian white grape rarely grown in Australia), Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Blaufrankisch, and Shiraz. Wine flights can be paired with a locally sourced cheese plate, and the enclosed balcony is the kind of spot where a quick tasting turns into an unhurried afternoon.

If you are visiting with a group or looking for something more structured, the ChocoVino experience pairs wines with chocolates crafted specifically to complement each glass. It has been recognised by CNN, Qantas Magazine and Gourmet Traveller Wine, and it is one of the most popular bookable experiences in Hahndorf. Allow about 45 minutes to one hour and book ahead.

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Beerenberg Farm

A Hahndorf institution. Beerenberg has been farmed by the Paech family since 1839, with strawberries first planted on the property in 1969. Today, the farm is known for its strawberries, jams, sauces and condiments, as well as its popular pick-your-own strawberry season(typically November to April) where you can pick your own straight from the field.

Even outside picking season, it is worth calling in for the farm shop alone. The relishes, chutneys, and locally made products make excellent gifts, and kids enjoy the rural setting.

The Cedars

Just outside Hahndorf, The Cedars was the home and studio of Sir Hans Heysen and his daughter, modernist painter Nora Heysen. The property is now open to the public, with guided tours of the studio, the heritage garden, and a collection of original works.

It is one of the most significant artist homesteads in Australia and a genuinely beautiful place to spend an hour. The garden alone, with its mature European trees and views across the Hills, is worth the short drive from town.

The Hahndorf Farm Barn

If you are visiting Hahndorf with kids, the Farm Barn is an easy win. It is a small animal farm where children can feed and interact with goats, alpacas, ponies, rabbits, and other farm animals. It is low-key, affordable, and reliably entertaining for younger visitors. Allow about an hour.