Family Fun

Farm Experiences

• Hahndorf Farm Barn for hands-on fun with a range of farm and exotic animals, including feeding, milking, reptile shows, pony and tractor rides

• Four Oaks Farm in Littlehampton for farm visits, trail rides and pony parties

• Country shows and fairs for festive rural fun, particularly in Uraidla/Summertown, Mount Pleasant, Mount Barker, Callington and Meadows Country Fair

Wildlife Parks

• Cleland Wildlife Park to get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes and Tasmanian devils as well as reptile experiences and guided night walks

• Gorge Wildlife Park in Cudlee Creek for native and exotic animals, birds and reptiles, including koala holding

• Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary in Mylor to discover thriving ecosystems, native animals including the elusive platypus and the Junior Keeper program

Pick Your Own Fruit

Kids get a real kick out of picking their own fruit – it’s fun and gives them a greater connection with the food they eat.

• Strawberries are in season and available for picking from November to April at Beerenberg Farm in Hahndorf

• Pick cherries from mid-November to mid-January at orchards across the Adelaide Hills – download the Cherries SA Cherry Map or Fresh Cherries app

• Pick figs at Willabrand fig orchard at Glen Ewin Estate in Houghton from February to April

• @Lenswood Pick Your Own offers a chance to meet the growers, learn about the different apple varieties, pick and purchase apples right off the tree and enjoy a variety of local treats at their Farm Cafe.

Attractions and Activities

• Melba’s Chocolate Factory in Woodside to see vintage working equipment and an irresistible range of sweet treats for tasting and purchase

• Woodhouse Adventure Park in Piccadilly where kids can run wild enjoying the Challenge Hill obstacle course, disc golf, orienteering and tube slides, with overnight options including cabins and camping and popular school holiday 'Drop and Go' day camps

• Mount Lofty Adventure Hub in Piccadilly (within the grounds of Woodhouse Activity Centre) with a climbing wall, zipline, mega swing and ropes courses

• National Motor Museum in Birdwood for vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and trucks, with kids’ activity books to keep them occupied and engaged, along with excellent school holiday programs and family-friendly events including the Bay to Birdwood

• Head Heart and Hands for imaginative play in Nairne, including Stargold Puppets, natural fibre toys and craft, Waldorf dolls, pure wool felt and felting supplies, hand-made wooden toys and dolls houses

• Jupiter Creek gold mining area in Echunga to walk through the historical gold diggings

• Amy Gillett Pathway for cycling, walking and horse riding from Oakbank to Mount Torrens with 17 kilometres of mostly flat family-friendly bitumen track is bitumen and four loop trails to other points of interest - kids will love Woody Trails BMX Track in Woodside. Stay tuned for further developments including visitor infrastructure along the pathway. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.

• SteamRanger Heritage Railway running at selected times throughout the year between Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills and Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula

• Adelaide Hills Farmers Market in Mount Barker, Stirling Market (and Stirling Laneways events) and Mount Pleasant Market for fun and inexpensive family outings (see more markets)

• Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory in Gumeracha to climb the biggest rocking horse in the world, feed the native and farm animals in the wildlife park and discover an incredible range of toys, games and puzzles made on site

Adelaide Hills Kids' Food Trail

An epicurean adventure, full of engaging experiences for the whole family including picking fruit, watching bees make honey, exploring a chocolate factory and tasting cheeses.

Hahndorf Main Street

• Traditional sweet shops and ice creameries, toy shops, fairy garden and shop, entertaining leathersmith and FruChocs shop (South Australia’s iconic confectionary)

• Hahndorf Candlemaker for beautiful candles and traditional German wooden folk art, and 3 Wishes Candle Barn where kids can create their own candle masterpiece

• Hahndorf Mini Golf for 18 holes of fun and challenging obstacles

• Australian Minerals for rocks and minerals, fossils and shells

• Hahndorf Academy’s art classes for children and school holiday workshops

• See more Hahndorf traders

Playgrounds & Nature Play

Adelaide Hills is blessed with numerous excellent playgrounds with favourites including:

• Adventure playgrounds at Morialta Conservation Park and Belair National Park

• Steamroller Park in Stirling

• Bridgewater Playground next to Bridgewater Mill with a creek perfect for playing

• Keith Stephenson Park in Mount Barker including a skate park

For those keen to get out and explore our great outdoors, favourite 'nature play' locations include:

• Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in Crafers

• Belair National Park

• Morialta Conservation Park

• Crystal Lake Park in Macclesfield

• Federation Park in Gumeracha

• Woorabinda Lake and Reserve near Stirling

• Laratinga Wetlands and Mount Barker Summit near Mount Barker

• Kuitpo Forest

Horse Riding & Activities

For kids into horses, the region offers a variety of things to do depending on age and experience, from pony rides, pony parties and trail rides through to riding schools of the highest calibre.

• Four Oaks Farm in Littlehampton

• Templewood Horse Riding Centre in Inglewood

• Megan Jones Riding School in Hahndorf, including the school holiday program, where kids can have their very own horse for a week

• Academy of Dressage at Mount George

• Chamel Fields at Kuitpo Forest for a farmstay experience with miniature horses and 'adopt a horse' holidays

Family Friendly Wineries

Families are welcome at the region’s cellar doors, but some go the extra mile to ensure the kids enjoy the visit as much as the grown-ups. Favourite family-friendly wineries include:

• Howard Vineyard in Nairne

• Golding Wines in Lobethal

• Barristers Block in Woodside

• Anderson Hill in Lenswood

• Cobb's Hill Estate in Oakbank

• Hesketh Wines in Verdun

• Sidewood Restaurant and Cellar Door in Hahndorf with bowling greens, petanque and nature playground

Family Friendly Dining

Pubs and bakeries throughout the region lend themselves well to family outings and picnics in the beautiful surrounds are always a hit with little ones who won’t sit still for long. Great dining options include:

• Bridgewater Inn in Bridgewater for outdoor dining overlooking the creek

• The Olive Branch Cafe in Balhannah for family focused, child friendly food and fun with a great kid’s menu and a dedicated gated and safe play space with toys, books and structured activities including supervised craft sessions and school holiday cooking classes