Around Adelaide

Hahndorf
Hahndorf 28 km southeast from Adelaide and it is one of the oldest settlements of Australia. Settled in the 1839 by German Lutherans who left Prussia to escape religious persecution, the town took its name from the the ship’s captain. It is a pretty little place with one main street and a major tourist’s attraction. There is the “Hahndorf Academy” established 1857with an art gallery, a craft shop and a German museum. The "Beerenberg Strawberry Farm" offer the possibility of picking own strawberries between November and May and it’s also renowned for yummy rose petal jam, chutneys and sauces.

Fleurieu Peninsula
South of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is a mecca for vacationing and day-tripping Adelaidians. The coastline there has fantasic vast beaches that never feel crowded, while the adjacent rolling hills of the lower Mt Lofty Ranges create vivid and contrasting landcapes. It’s also popular because of the wine there, the fabulous surf spots and the "real waves”.

Willunga
Willunga is in the mountains of the Fleurieu Peninsula and a lovely old town with numerous interesting buildings from the colonial era. It’s a place of wine and the major centre for Australian almond growing. They host the “Almond Blossom Festival” in July. In February takes place Australia’s sole cow race, the "Compass Cup”. There are fine views, kangaroos and walks in the "Mt Magnificient Conservation Park".

Port Elliot
Port Elliot, established in 1854 as the seaport for the Murray River trade, is on the picturesque “Horseshoe Bay”, which is a part of Encounter Bay. There is a safe and lovely swimming beach, whose turquoise waters are also enjoyed by dolphins, and a great cliff-top walk used by local for seasonal whale-watching. Nearby surf beaches include "Boomer Beach"  on the western edge of town and the "Middleton Beach”, the best surf beach in the area, to the east.
The Hostel "Arnella by the Sea" offers overnight accommodations in dorms for A$ 20 per night.

Goolwa
The best beach on the southern coast has Goolwa. Water sports, fishing, skydiving and simple beach pleasures are the preferred pastimes of locals and visitors alike. Whales and dolphins can be seen in season and artists revel in the glorious sunsets. Boat building is a continuing art in Goolwa, celebrated in the biennial “Wooden Boat Festival”. The “Hindmarsh Island Bridge”, with its unusual land- and sea-based animal murals, links the mainland to Hindmarsh Island. You can stay overnight in the “PS Murray River Queen” for A$ 20 per night and dorm.