Less than an hour’s drive from the South Australian capital, the Adelaide Hills is an ideal spot for a gourmet weekend, with the charming villages of Hahndorf, Stirling and Crafers full of great places to eat, magical wineries and historic accommodation.

Eat

From sun-up to sundown, you could eat your way around the Adelaide Hills for a week straight and still not sample all of its delights. But there are some venues you shouldn’t miss. For a one-stop-shop of all the best things about the Adelaide Hills, visit new store Atelier Crafers, serving South Australian coffee, local wine, cider, beer and homemade cakes, as well as selling products by local designers and artisans. Meanwhile, the name is almost as good as the food at Lost in a Forest, which serves organic pizza set in a 130-year-old church. For all things German, spend some time in the delightful town of Hahndorf, where you can eat traditional food and drink great German beer. Other great places to dine include the Scandi-inspired Fred Eatery, Stirling Cellars & Patisserie, Lenswood’s Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard for fine dining and fine drinking, and Pike & Joyce for sophisticated winery lunching.

Drink

Cool climate wines are the pick of the bunch in this area. For a grand eating and drinking experience, stop by Magill Estate, which produces divine red and white wines along with fortified wines using cabernet, shiraz, semillon and chardonnay grapes. If you’re after vegan-friendly wines, head to Unico Zelo or try new Mediterranean varieties such as Fiano, Graciano and Montepulciano at Artwine in Woodside. If you like your wine with a sweet treat, stop by Hahndorf Hill Winery, where alternative wines are matched with chocolate in the tasting room.

Stay

There are so many great places to stay in the Adelaide Hills. If you’re after grandeur with five-star views, then you can’t go past Mount Lofty House with its beautiful timber balconies, chesterfield suites and opulent amenities. Equally as striking is the fairytale-like luxury hotel Thorngrove Manor Hotel. You can choose from six extravagantly decorated and furnished quarters, but be warned that you may never want to leave your room (or be able to – the rooms are connected by at least seven staircases). For more modern accommodation, but still with wow-factor, check into Longview Vineyard, which will have you ensconced in crisp apartments overlooking the vines. And if your appetite is ready to go first thing in the morning but you don’t want to leave your room, you won’t find better than The Stirling Hotel with its complimentary breakfast, treetop views and enormous bathrooms with TVs.

See

Walk off some of the food and wine at Mount Lofty Summit with its panoramic views and heart-pumping climb. And if you have kids with you, it’s worth visiting The Big Rocking Horse where you get a certificate (and great views) for climbing the large pony.