Fact Sheets & Video - Hahndorf

watch video

Where else but in South Australia could you expect to visit three countries?

There are few places where you can drive through typically Australian countryside and, quite suddenly, enter a world which seems to have been lifted from another country.

A great time to visit South Australia is between April to October when the days are warm and clear (16-20 degrees Celsius). But don't forget to pack some warm clothing because come sunset the temperature can drop.

November to March brings day temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. Winter and early spring rains can bring flash floods - and the wildflower season. Winter temperatures range between 19 degrees and 5 degrees Celsius. The nights are cold, occasionally below freezing but the days are warm and sunny. Winter is a perfect time of year if you are a keen walker.

Hahndorf is a well preserved township with strong German origins located 28 km south east of Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills. Settled in 1839 it still retains an authentic flavour and promotes itself as "Australia's Oldest German Town". It is characterised by beautiful shady tree-lined streets, lots of advertisements and shop signs in Teutonic script, and lots of visitors being entertained in cafes, bars and restaurants run by the descendants of the town's early German settlers.

If you're missing a little bit of Aussie flavour and feeling a bit peckish, stop by Pot Belly Pies on Main Street, voted "best pies in South Australia".

The Cedars - Hans Heysen's House and Studio

'The Cedars', home of the famous Australian landscape and still life painter, Hans Heysen is located in Hahndorf. Heysen's studio, complete with very familiar gum trees across the paddocks, is virtually untouched. The house, still owned by the third generation of the Heysen family, is in pristine condition and houses a collection of paintings and drawings.

Visitors can enjoy the cottage garden, which is part of the South Australian Open Garden Scheme. Wander around the sixty hectare property on the self guided Artist Walking Trail which takes approximately half an hour and directs visitors to eleven of Heysen's favourite painting locations.

Daily guided tours of the house and the studio commence at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (September to May) and twice a day during the winter months at 11am and 2pm (June to August). Tours run for approx 1 hour and costs $10 for adults, $5.00 for students and children, $7.50 for concessions and $6.50 for groups of 10 or more. Children under 14 years are free. Coach and mini bus tours available by arrangement.

The studio of Nora Heysen (Archibald prize winner and daughter of Hans) is also open for viewing and features continuous exhibitions of her work.

In 1938 Heysen purchased two adjoining properties, making his property just over 150 acres. He made this purchase for the conservation of his beloved gums. The land was never utilised for anything other than the protection of the gums and ensuring their future regeneration. Heysen was a dedicated conservationist; and would often pay substantial sums of money to landowners and council to ensure that the gums were not cut down for timber.

From Adelaide travel via the South Eastern Freeway to Hahndorf. Exit the Freeway at Hahndorf, just before entering the village turn left into Ambleside Road and continue for one kilometre to Heysen Road and then turn left.

Mintaro

126 km from Adelaide on the eastern edge of the Clare Valley is where you will find the superbly preserved historic town, Mintaro.

Mintaro was established in the 1850's when homes and public buildings were constructed to provide services to the teams transporting copper from Burra to Port Wakefield. The town's historical significance was recognised in 1984 when it received a State Heritage listing.

A pleasant 90 minute drive from Adelaide and a place where visitors can enjoy well preserved buildings from the last two centuries, beautiful gardens, streetscapes with lovely hedgerows and observe the way the famous Mintaro slate is used throughout the town.

Mintaro is an ideal base to explore some of the 30 wineries of the Clare Valley and to walk or cycle the 26 km Riesling Trail Mintaro Maze

Lose yourself at Mintaro Maze. A living hedge maze, consisting of over 800 conifers, featuring fountains, twists, turns and dead ends to trick even the most committed explorer. Visitors can also have fun with a range of giant sized games featuring local Mintaro slate.

The Mintaro Maze is a true water wise garden, the maze hasn't been watered since the year 2000.

Browse through the unusual quirky gifts in the maze gift shop or try your hand at loads of puzzles and games. A range of locally made aromatherapy products made in the natural therapy clinic adjacent to the maze are also available.

Mintaro Maze holds special events throughout the year including an Easter Bunny Hunt, Haggis Hunt held during the Clare Gourmet Weekend in May, Mother's Day with flower giveaways, a Father's Day Challenge, a Fairies, Elves and Pixies Picnic held during the long weekend in October and Christmas lights throughout December.

The Maze offers an experience for the whole family or a romantic, tranquil stroll for two.

Martindale Hall

Martindale Hall, a stately Georgian style mansion set in magnificent grounds featured in the film "Picnic at Hanging Rock". Built in 1879-1880, visitors can enjoy a self guided tour, stroll through the grounds, pack a picnic to enjoy sitting on the lawns or go with a group of friends, stay overnight in heritage accommodation for up to 18 guests and have a formal dinner in the magnificent dining room.

Hawker

Hawker is a true blue Aussie outback town with rugged scenery, bush pubs and relics of the early settlers on the edge of the desert.

Located 374 km north of Adelaide Hawker is a tiny historic railway settlement which describes itself as "the hub of the Flinders Ranges". This is because it is located at the junction of roads from Port Augusta, Marree, Orroroo and Wilpena Pound.

The area showcases a mix of natural and cultural attractions - art and craft galleries, bush pubs, unique eating places, railway history and more. Hawker is a great place for visitors to base themselves for half or full day trips to explore the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound and beyond. Walks and lookouts are available and a variety of 4WD tracks are there for visitors to self drive or enjoy with a tour operator.

Yourambulla Caves

The Yourambulla Caves and Aboriginal rock paintings are located 11 km south of Hawker off the main Quorn road. There are 3 cave galleries to for visitors to explore and the paintings beneath the cave overhangs.

A 20 minute hike from the car park the walking trail leads visitors to the steps at the base of the first and main gallery viewing platform. The cave overhangs are protected by a mesh fence to keep them safe as this area is self guided. Visitors will also find interpretive signs showing the meaning of the painted symbols.

There are some great examples of rock art to be found here, the age and purpose of the paintings are not known but they are thought to relate to the dreaming or ceremonies associated with this site. Most of the artwork was executed in black pigment and some in red ochre.

Visitors should allow at least 1 - 2 hours to visit all three sites.

The area boasts marvellous panoramic views of the surrounding ranges and the site of the paintings, shelters and overhangs are in the southern part of the Yappala Hills, opposite the Yourambulla Peak.

This is a self guided site, which means visitors are free to explore the area at their own leisure. There is a car park at the entry to Yourambulla Caves Historic Reserve, the site is open everyday and there are no entry fees.

Yourambulla is a name derived from the Adnyamathanha phrase yura pilla meaning two men and is related to the two peaks (to the east of the painting sites). In Adnyamathanha legend two men of different kinship, Arraru and Mathari camped where the two peaks stand, to eat part of a man they were carrying. It is thought that the smaller peak is the "Mathari" man and that the larger peak on the left is the "Arraru" man.

Further Information:

Hahndorf, Mintaro and Hawker, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hahndorf Tourist Information Centre

Old Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf SA 5245

Ph: (08) 8388-1185

Pot Belly Pies

37 Main Street, Hahndorf SA 5245

Ph: (08) 8388-7591

Hawker Tourist Information Centre

Hawker Motors Cnr Wilpena & Cradock Rds, Hawker, SA 5434

Ph: (08) 8648-4014

www.hawkermotors.com.au

Martindale Hall

Manoora Road, Mintaro SA 5415

Ph: (08) 8843-9088

www.martindalehall.com

The Heritage Museum is open to visitors 7 days a week. Adults $7.00, Concession $5.00, Children (5-15) $2.50, pre-arranged groups (minimum 10) $5.00.

Dinner, bed and breakfast from $210 per person per night includes history and house tour, formal dinner, run of house, heritage accommodation and full country style cooked breakfast. Available 7 days a week. Bed and breakfast (Sunday to Thursday only) from $110 per person per night includes accommodation in an original bedroom and country style breakfast or Theme Nights from $250 per person includes theme, formal dinner, run of house, heritage accommodation, cooked breakfast and a history and house tour.

A deposit of $50 per person is required at time of booking.

Mintaro Maze

Open Monday - Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm public holidays and everyday during school holidays or by appointment. Closed February and Christmas day. Admission prices: Adults $7 Children $5 and Pensioners $6. Group discounts available.

Lot 91 Jacka Road, Mintaro SA 5415

Ph: (08) 8843-9012

http://d1108639.domaincentral.com.au

The Cedars - Hans Heysen's House and Studio

Heysen Road, Hahndorf, SA 5245

Ph: (08) 8388-7277

www.hansheysen.com.au

South Australia Flinders Ranges & Outback

www.flindersoutback.com

Flinders Ranges National Park

Wilpena Pound, Hawker SA 5434.

Ph: (08) 8648-0048

www.parks.sa.gov.au

For further information visit www.southaustralia.com