Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Hahndorf

A trip to this small town in the Adelaide Hills transcends time and continents, combining a rich German heritage with a thriving artisan culture, and it comes in at 32 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

The hallowed halls of the 159-year-old Hahndorf Inn are filled with the melodic sounds of German polka music. The jovial tunes are played by Herman and Heidi – a husband-and-wife duo who perform on matching vintage accordions while dressed in traditional lederhosen and dirndl. Merrymakers feast on pork knuckle, bratwurst and apfelstrudel, regularly clinking together steins of German bier or shots of schnapps. Prost! But we’re not in Bavaria. And it’s not Oktoberfest.

Man playing German polka music in Hahndorf. — German polka music is your Hahndorf soundtrack.

It’s just a regular weekend at the Hahndorf Inn , nestled in Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement in the undulating Adelaide Hills. Hahndorf was settled in 1839 by Lutheran migrants who came to Australia seeking religious freedom from Prussia.

They arrived via the ship Zebra, helmed by Captain Dirk Meinertz Hahn, who negotiated the land on behalf of the 52 families onboard. As thanks, they named the village Hahndorf – ‘Hahn’s Village’.

Constructed using traditional German techniques such as fachwerk (timber framing and wattle and daub panels), some of the original buildings have survived time, nestled among contemporary buildings on the charming main avenue lined with 100-year-old chestnut, oak and cork trees.

Hahndorf's heritage streetscape — Hahndorf’s heritage streetscape is magical.

Within these historic spaces, skilled craftspeople and traders tout specialty goods, an artisanal culture that embodies the town today, as much as its German heritage.

Here’s how to spend your days in Hahndorf.

Where to eat

First established in 1854 as the Australian Arms Hotel, the Hahndorf Inn is a German family restaurant with cosy fireplaces for cool regional winters, al fresco dining for sun-drenched summers, and the Arcobräu Brauhaus (traditional beer hall) for frivolity year-round.

Come for traditional German fare or join in a strudel-making class, held daily at 10.30 am. Time your visit when Herman and Heidi are playing their jovial music.

German food on a plate at the Hahndorf Inn — Hahndorf Inn is a German family restaurant.

With a history that goes back even further, the 1839-built German Arms Hotel is another local pub with a menu combining modern Australian cuisine with signature German dishes, much like its heritage space that was given a contemporary refresh in 2020.

Moving beyond pub fare but staying Euro-side, Gepetto’s serves rustic Italian dishes in a relaxed setting, accompanied by regular live music. Take a quick trip to Spain at Comida , a chic restaurant serving tapas, paella and vino; its manicured and festoon-lit garden area out the back is an idyllic setting on warm evenings and great for families.

Focusing on local produce, Hahn and Hamlin is an intimate diner in an original 19th-century stone cottage. The share menu features beef and lamb from Hahndorf’s own Max Noske & Son Butchery , Udder Delights cheese and Uraidla Bakery breads, while the entire wine list is made up of South Australian drops.

Cheese board at Udder Delights Cheese — Sample Udder Delights cheese.

Where to drink

Wine lovers can sample more local drops at cellar doors along the main road, including Somerled Wines , whose elegant cellar bar has a fireplace, leafy courtyard and snack menu to accompany tasting flights.

Book the subterranean den of a historic stone building at Landhaus Wines , an atmospheric space for small group tastings. A little further down the road, sip wines and ciders in an old apple shed at Sidewood Cellar Door .

A visit to Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door is in order. (Image: Sidewood Estate)

To experience several local winegrowers in one place, make a beeline for Adelaide Hills Wine Bar in the 1912 State Bank building. If gin is your drink of choice, knock on the distillery door at Ambleside Distillers . Its handcrafted spirits are made using botanicals from the on-site garden; you can even blend your own in a masterclass.

The Ambleside Distillers gin blending masterclass is a must-do. (Image: Josh Geelan)

The distillery name is in reference to when Hahndorf was renamed Ambleside during the First World War when anti-German prejudice was rife. It was changed back to Hahndorf in 1935.

For your morning caffeine kick, head to Thiele’s Shop , a cafe and small goods store named after the local pioneering Thiele family who originally owned the 1839-built property. Think farmhouse cheeses, cured meats, wines and beers from small producers, and a simple breakfast and lunch offering, such as pastries and toasties.

Ambleside Distillers drinks — Savour a gin at Ambleside Distillers. (Image: Lewis Potter)

Where to shop

Much of Hahndorf’s charm stems from its community of artisans, whose handcrafted wares and homemade provisions line the shelves of the town’s specialty stores.

Peruse handcrafted knives at Hahndorf Knife Shop ; unique candles and German folk art at Hahndorf Candlemaker ; quality leather goods at Hahndorf Leathersmith ; and an aesthetically pleasing array of art supplies at The Paintbox .

Of course, there are many stores selling German goods, too, from cuckoo clocks to Birkenstocks. Stepping into The German Village Shop is like stepping into the Black Forest; it sells everything from hand-carved cuckoo clocks to beer steins, cowbells, music boxes and Christmas decorations.

Satiate your sweet tooth at The German Cake Shop and choose from more than 100 flavours of fudge at the four confectionery stores: Hahndorf Sweets , Humbugs of Hahndorf, Treats of Hahndorf and The Fudge Shop .

Where to stay

Perfectly located in the heart of Hahndorf, the Manna by Haus is a boutique hotel with simple but spacious rooms that can sleep up to four guests. For couples who want something a little more extraordinary, Under the Oaks is a chic studio stay in a converted 1858 church, with a king-size bed, fireplace and fully equipped kitchen.

Room inside the Manna by Haus in Hahndorf. — Stay at the Manna by Haus. (Image: Kirkbee Pty Ltd)

Explore more of Adelaide Hills in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism — Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs — Let mineral-rich water heal you.

If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

3. Take to the air at Princetown

12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road — See an icon from a different view.

You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum , a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave — Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB — Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour — Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red .

While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.