We got up and headed out, just our family to the Adelaide Hills region for the morning. The Adelaide Hills are a cultured landscape that reflect the lives and activities of its people, from the Aboriginal people that managed and preserved the Hills to the early German & English settlers who now call it home. Our first stop was to Hahndorf, an historic village, settled by German immigrants in 1839 and Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. The village is home to more than 60 specialty stores and a number of German flavor pubs, bakeries and cafes.
Our first stop here was to the visitor center housed in The Hahndorf Academy, a regional center for the arts and heritage. This 150-year old building incorporates a migration museum, artists’ studios, art classes and a retail gallery. We spent a little time in the museum learning about the German settlers and how they lived.
This is a Hip bath-On Saturday nights it was set up by the fire and the family would bathe in succession, the father being last as he was the dirtiest, to be ready for church and visits to friends on Sunday. And the list of Hanhdorf's Founding Families-their places of residence and occupations.
We decided to walk up and down the streets to see and learn about the German village.
The German Arms Hotel was established as a small hostelry across the road in 1839. After it burned down in 1861, a larger hotel was built on this site.
Wotzke Cottage-This cottage replaced the original pioneer cottage of 1858.
This site is an intact example of an immigrant family’s enterprise.
Hahndorf Old Mill-The first steam-powered flour mill was erected on this site in 1851. It was rebuilt in 1854 after it had burned down. It went from being a flour mill to a chaff and fodder store and is now a restaurant.
Thiele's Cottage-Built in 1845 by the first couple married in Hahndorf
We stopped and did a little cheese tasting (& buying 
The gardens were laid out to mark the centenary of Hahndorf.
A memorial to the women of Hahndorf:
Getting some more German snacks!
Enjoying some VERY delicious sausage and pretzel!
Hahndorf Inn: Originally established across the road, it was transferred to a building on this site in 1863.
Hahndorf Puppet Shop
This group of buildings dating from 1856 is an example of the way in which an immigrant family established itself and developed its business.
Rodert’s Cottage & Mortuary
An original family cottage owned by a skilled carpenter, tailor and wheelwright
After walking up and down the streets, we grabbed some lunch and had a picnic at the Pioneer Gardens.
We left Hahndorf and headed back toward Adelaide, stopping at Mount Lofty Summit for some panoramic views of the city.
Overlooking Piccadilly Valley
Then we headed to the coast to meet up with Brian’s cousin, Warwick (who Brian hasn’t seen in over 30 years!) & his girlfriend, Julia. Warwick is a marine biologist and he offered to take us out snorkeling which was awesome!! Uncle Cliff & Aunt Peggy came out to hang with the girls.
We had a great time snorkeling and seeing some unique things that we would have never found if not for Warwick…like this awesome starfish! Meanwhile, the girls had a blast making sand palaces!
Then we all had fun playing in the shallow, rocky area.
We were trying to get the starfish to grab onto our hands, but he was too shy…until I put him on my cheek and he sucked on it!
Warwick with his cool new phone
After our fun on the beach, we headed back to clean up and get ready to go out for dinner and drinks with Warwick & Julia. Another date night thanks to Cliff and Peggy! We met them in the fun town of Glenelg, home to some great restaurants, shopping, arts and entertainment! We enjoyed a walk by the beach and out on the jetty as well as some local street performers before catching the tram into the city.
We went to a great Japanese restaurant before heading to a rooftop bar for a drink. What a fun night!
The next morning it was time to say goodbye. We had a great visit to South Australia!
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