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.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com